Required text: Steven Cahn and Peter Markie (eds.), Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues, 3rd edition (New York: Oxford University Press, 2006). Page references are to this text.

READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Aug 16   Introduction
Aug 21   Plato, Euthyphro (5-16)
Aug 23   Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (124-126, 128-134)
Aug 28      " (134-140)
Aug 30   Hobbes, Leviathan (221-228)
Sept 4        "
Sept 6    Hume, Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (244-247L)
Sept 11       " (247L-257)
Sept 13       " (257-265)
Sept 18   Introduction to Kant and Mill [NOTE: FIRST PAPER DUE]
Sept 20   Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals (270-279)
Sept 25       " (279-288L)
Sept 27       " (288L-296L)
Oct 2      Mill, J. S., Utilitarianism (317-323L, 326R-327L, 329-330L)
Oct 4       " (335-338, 338R-342L)
Oct 9        " (342L-350, Note 4)
Oct 11    NO CLASS
Oct 16    Introduction to Contemporary Ethical Theory [NOTE: SECOND PAPER DUE]
Oct 18    Rawls, A Theory of Justice (493-501, including notes)
Oct 23       " (501-503,506-513, including notes)
Oct 25    Gauthier, Why Contractarianism? (516-526)
Oct 30     Nussbaum, Non-Relative Virtues: An Aristotelian Approach (659-668)
Nov 1       " (668-676)
Nov 6     Introduction to Applied Ethics [NOTE: THIRD PAPER DUE]
Nov 8     Singer, Famine, Affluence, and Morality (789-796)
Nov 13   Thomson, A Defense of Abortion (733-743)
Nov 15   Marquis, An Argument That Abortion Is Wrong (754-764)
Nov 20   Hursthouse, Virtue Theory and Abortion (765-778)
Nov 22   NO CLASS
Nov 27   Rachels, Active and Passive Euthanasia (779-783)
Nov 29   Foot, Killing and Letting Die (783-788)
Dec 4     Regan, The Case for Animal Rights (809-816) [Topics for final paper to be provided]
Dec 6     Review
Dec 13   FINAL PAPER DUE (by 4:00 pm, Department of Philosophy, 3090 Wescoe)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Four critical philosophical papers (750-1000 words), hard copies due on dates indicated. Possible topics (at least two, from which a choice is to be made) will be provided two class periods in advance of each due date. Grades on the best three of the four submitted papers will count for 75% of the course grade. (Grade penalty if all four papers are not submitted.) Late papers will be accepted only in very special circumstances and will be subject to downgrading.
2. Regular attendance; timely, close, reflective reading of reading assignments; regular and constructive participation in discussion. Each student will take a turn presenting - and so initiating critical discussion of - a day's reading assignment. Attendance, preparation, presentation, and appropriate participation will determine the remaining 25% of the course grade.

Note #1: You should be familiar with university policies concerning academic misconduct (cheating, plagiarism, disruption of class, etc.). Papers involving academic misconduct will be graded at 0 points on a 100-point scale.

Note #2: A useful online source on most of the philosophers or topics to be discussed is: (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)