Summer 2023 Pre-College Prog: Introduction to Philosophical Enquiry - Ethics PS0201 section D01

Introduction to Philosophical Enquiry: E

Philosophy: Ethics

Call Number 10505
Day & Time
Location
MTWRF 8:00am-11:00am
ONLINE ONLY
Points 0
Grading Mode Ungraded
Approvals Required None
Type LECTURE
Method of Instruction On-Line Only
Course Description

Most broadly, ethics is concerned with how it is best for us, as human individuals and communities, to live – how we understand and relate to ourselves, each other, and beyond. What goals or values should we pursue? What kinds of lives are good and worthy of choice (for anyone)? What moral duties do we have – are there individual actions or social policies which are (morally) required or forbidden? And to whom or what do we owe them – in virtue of what do entities have moral standing? Is acting morally good for us and, if so, would this compromise the ethical worth of so acting? What is the source of our knowledge, if any, about these matters, and how do we resolve conflicting answers to these questions? 

While attending some to ‘meta-ethics’, the course focuses on normative ethics and its application. After an introduction to philosophical and ethical inquiry and an orientation in foundational ethical questions, the course surveys several approaches to ethics – consequentialism (especially utilitarianism), rule- or duty-based theories (particularly ‘Kantianism’ and ‘contractualism’), and some of the traditions of ‘virtue ethics’. The course then applies these theories to several concrete topics, including the distribution of material resources in society, sex and gender, race and racism, and free speech. 

Our authors include Audre Lorde, Immanuel Kant, John Rawls, John Stuart Mill, Kongzi (Confucius), Peter Singer, Plato, Robin S. Dillon, Susan Moller Okin, and W.E.B. Du Bois. 

The course has three main goals for students: 1) To describe, explain, and provisionally assess some important philosophical perspectives – historical and contemporary, Western and non-Western – on ethics; 2) To identify, logically analyze and evaluate, and construct (logically valid and sound) philosophical arguments; 3) To use spoken and written language clearly, concisely, and convincingly. 

There are no prerequisites for the course. The course includes asynchronous work, which students are expected to complete between class sessions. 

Web Site Vergil
Subterm 07/03-07/14 (N)
Department Pre-College Programs (SHSP)
Enrollment 6 students (22 max) as of 5:06PM Thursday, March 28, 2024
Subject Pre-College Prog: Introduction to Philosophical Enquiry - Ethics
Number PS0201
Section D01
Division Professional Studies & Special Pgrms: Pre-College Programs
Campus Morningside
Section key 20232ETHI0201ND01