Course Syllabus: Prerequisites There Are No Prerequisites Fo

Course Syllabusprerequisitesthere Are No Prerequisites For Phi208cour

This course explores key philosophical concepts from an ethical perspective. Students will analyze selected assertions of knowledge and the methods of reasoning humans use to justify these claims. Through research into theories of science and religion, as well as the theoretical and empirical challenges these institutions of thought face, students will also investigate how the mind constructs and understands reality. This will provide a foundation for an exploration into questions of morality, in which students will look at traditional and contemporary ethical theories, and apply these theories to contemporary moral issues.

In this course, students will be introduced to various ethical theories and practical ethical issues. 1) Students will examine and engage dominant theories of ethics, as well as relativism, and how the relativist position argues against universal ethical principles. Students will utilize what they learn about those ethical theories to examine a contemporary ethical issue and reflect on their own ideas about relativism. 2) Students will examine consequentialist ethical theory and responses to the consequentialist position. 3) Students will examine deontological ethical theory. 4) Students will examine virtue ethics. 5) Students will examine feminist ethics and how feminist ethics relate and attempt to break free from the previous ethical positions. While students are learning about the various ethical theories they will also examine articles that utilize the theories to make arguments in relation to contemporary moral problems. Students will ultimately be asked to choose a contemporary moral problem and apply the ethical theories to the moral problem, while also explaining which theory they find to provide the strongest position.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding ethics is fundamental to navigating the complex moral landscape of contemporary society. The course outlined provides a comprehensive exploration of major ethical theories—virtue ethics, consequentialism, deontology, relativism, and feminist ethics—each offering unique perspectives on moral decision-making. By analyzing these theories and applying them to contemporary issues, students develop critical thinking skills and a nuanced understanding of morality that prepares them for informed ethical analysis in various contexts.

The progression of the course, from foundational concepts to applied ethics, ensures students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The initial focus on defining morality and ethics sets the groundwork for differentiating among the major ethical theories. This foundational understanding enables students to critically interpret philosophical thought and apply moral reasoning effectively to current moral challenges.

Engagement with diverse ethical frameworks enhances students' ability to evaluate moral issues from multiple perspectives. For instance, relativism challenges the notion of universal principles, emphasizing cultural and individual differences. Students learn to examine moral claims within their cultural and social contexts, fostering tolerance and open-mindedness. Conversely, consequentialism, and specifically utilitarianism, encourages considerations of outcomes and overall well-being, prompting students to think pragmatically about the impacts of moral actions.

Deontological ethics, grounded in duties and principles, promotes a respect for moral laws and rights, emphasizing the intrinsic nature of actions. Virtue ethics shifts focus toward moral character and virtues like courage, honesty, and compassion, which guide moral behavior beyond rules and outcomes. Feminist ethics offers a critical perspective that aims to address gender inequalities and often challenges traditional moral paradigms by emphasizing relationships, care, and social justice.

In applying these theories to contemporary moral problems, students learn to recognize the strengths and limitations of each framework. For example, debates on bioethics, environmental ethics, and social justice can be examined through various ethical lenses. Applying multiple theories to a single issue reveals the complexity of moral dilemmas and helps identify the most compelling ethical solution.

Students are also encouraged to develop personal ethical perspectives through reflection, considering how theoretical insights influence their own moral beliefs. This personal engagement fosters moral maturity and prepares students for ethical leadership in their professional and personal lives.

Overall, this course aims to cultivate critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and the ability to articulate well-founded moral arguments. By engaging with diverse ethical theories and applying them to real-world issues, students gain the skills necessary to navigate the moral challenges of the modern world thoughtfully and responsibly.

References

• Crane, T. (2019). Introduction to Ethics. Routledge.
• Driver, J. (2014). Moral Nature. Routledge.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Cambridge University Press.
• MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue. University of Notre Dame Press.
• Rachels, J., & Rachels, S. (2019). The Elements of Moral Philosophy. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Shaw, W. H. (2016). Business Ethics: A Text and Cases Approach. Cengage Learning.
• Steinbock, B. (2017). Women and Morality. Oxford University Press.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Williams, B. (1973). Morality: An Introduction to Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Young, I. M. (2006). Responsibility and Global Justice. Oxford University Press.