Phil 240: Ethics
Winter Session 2025
Course Description
This class will introduce students to moral philosophy. Our first aim is to investigate four major ethical theories that seek to explain what makes an action morally right or morally wrong. We will also consider whether there are any objective moral truths or whether morality is, in some sense, a subjective or relative matter.
Our second aim is to explore a couple of contemporary moral issues. More specifically, we will consider
• Whether abortion is morally permissible
• Whether killing animals for food is morally permissible
Books:
I will post all ofthe readings on Canvas
Learning Outcomes:
a) Students identify primary philosophical themes found in the writings of major ancient, medieval, modern, and moral philosophers.
b) Students write historical and argumentative essays on central philosophical issues.
c) Students develop philosophical arguments using formal and informal methods originated by historical and contemporary philosophers.
Core D3 Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
• Identify and articulate central ethical problems concerning equality, justice, and rights, and understand the role these play in personal and professional life.
• Compare and contrast major ethical theories, to show how actions can be determined to be just or unjust, right or wrong, or good or bad, and to demonstrate knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of major ethical theories.
• Investigate ways of settling ethical disputes in arriving at ethical judgments.
• Think and write critically about classic and contemporary moral issues.
• Identify the contributions of diversity and recognize the challenge that it presents in resolving contemporary ethical issues.
• Demonstrate an ability to apply ethical theories and values in personal decision-making.
Assignments
See the Work and Grade Agreement page on Canvas
Grades (what they mean)
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A+
A
A-
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Excellent performance. Outstanding grasp of subject matter, and an exceptional capacity to analyze and synthesize course material. Demonstrates a superior ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.
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B+
B
B-
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Good performance. Good grasp of subject matter, and a satisfactory ability to analyze and synthesize course material. Demonstrates satisfactory ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.
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C+
C
C-
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Satisfactory performance. Some understanding of the subject matter, and some ability to analyze and synthesize course material. Demonstrates some ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.
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D+
D
D-
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Marginal pass. Evidence of minimally acceptable familiarity with subject matter. Does not demonstrate satisfactory ability to analyze and synthesize course material, or to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.
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F
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Inadequate. Does not demonstrate an understanding of the subject matter. Unable to analyze and synthesize course material, or to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.
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