PHI219 - Ethics: Theoretical & Practical

Scales

Outline:

In this course we will be studying ethical theory with a focus on contemporary philosophical literature. Issues I hope to cover include questions of what morality is and what authority it holds over us; how moral knowledge is possible; the connection between ethics and religion; what kind of creature have moral standing; and the strengths and weaknesses of leading moral theories such as consequentialism, deontology and contractualism.

Assessment:

Two coursework essays (50%) and one two-hour unseen examination (50%)

During the course students will have a chance to make a seminar presentation. This will not form part of the assessment for the course.

Advised for:

Value Theory, Theories of Rights, Metaethics, Desires of Ones Own

Note: This course is not available to those taking PHI204

Lecturer:

James Lenman

Lectures: Spring Semester

Mon 11-12 Room HI-LT5
Mon 12-1 Room: HI-LT5

Seminars:
Tues 12-1 Room: HI-SR F41
Tues 1-2 Room: JB-SR 117

Reading

The set text for this course is

Russ-Shafer-Landau (ed.) : Ethics

This book is very long. But you are not required to read it all. You will be expected to read the following chapters. (For shorthand I refer to chapters by their numbers and the names of their authors)

REQUIRED READING
A

2. Ayer
3. Mackie
4. Harman

B

5. Harman
6. Moore
10.Kagan

C

12.Bambrough
16.Foot
17.Kavka

D

30.Nozick
32.Griffin
35.Parfit

E

40.Wolf
41.Strawson
48.Mill

F

49.Shaw
50.Smart
51.Hooker

G

52.Hare
60.Foot
61.Thomson

H

64.Rawls
65.Scanlon
67.Nussbaum

I

68.Hursthouse
72.Ross
73.McNaughton

Other readings may be added as required for coursework assignments when these are announced.

OPTIONAL READING

The rest of the book!

If you are interested in any of the topics covered and would like suggestions for things to read to pursue them further, please ask me.

Optional reading is for students who are relatively highly motivated and ambitious and wish to read more widely than is strictly required. You may also find some of the required reading easier to understand if you read other things on the same topics.

Required reading is what it sounds like, reading you must do. I may set exam questions such as:

Explain and evaluate Mackie's argument from queerness.

Which you will have no idea how to answer unless you have read these readings. I will not however set any exam questions that presuppose any of the optional reading in this way.

SEMINARS. There will be nine seminars, starting in week 3. For each seminar you should prepare three of the required readings as follows:

Week 3 : Readings in group A
Week 4 : Readings in group B
Week 5 : Readings in group C
Week 6 : Readings in group D
Week 7 : Readings in group E
Week 8 : Readings in group F
Week 9: Readings in group G
Week 10: Readings in group H
Week 11: Readings in group I
Week 12: Reading Week