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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH/RL 224-2"
COURSE NAME: "Living the Good Life: Religious and Philosophical Ethics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Thomas Govero
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 3:00PM 4:15PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment including weekends

COURSE DESCRIPTION:


AIMS AND SCOPE OF THE COURSE

The word "Ethics" is derived from the Greek for "to wish, be willing to", or making choices.  The course will examine this process of
making choices in as much as they affect the "other", the community, the greater range of humanity and the natural environment. 
Since the Greeks, this act or the process of making choices and decisions   in Western thought has been based on Reason
or "mind over matter". But what about the passions and emotions?  Or are human decisions determined by natural, innate (essentialist)
conditions, or are they the results of nurturing, acquired, or developmental processes (existentialist)?  What is the relation of  ethics to
morality?  The course will examine these questions and others related to the vast discipline of moral philosophy. 

In addition, the course will probe and debate the principle texts in ethics from the Greeks to contemporary interpretations while
occasionally making comparative references to other traditions such as Buddhism and Confusionism.

Ultimately, the aim of the course is to examine, discuss, raise questions and debate the interpretations of ethical issues and their
applications today.  How did  historical interpretations shape today's moral questions and how can they impact on the individual's
daily attitudes, choices, and decisions?  Therefore, the course will progress on two fronts:  chronologically and diachronogially.


SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

.  Basic definitions and concepts:  ethics/morality, essentialism/existentialism (nature versus nurture), cultural relativism, empathy,
   compassion, narcissim, "the other", violence, reason,  dialectism subjectivity. metaethics, normative ethics, applied ethics.

.  Religion and Ethics, Morality:  Predestination, Natural Law, Stoicism/Epicureanism, Essentialism, Divine Intervention

.  The Social Contract and Voluntary/Involuntary Subjection.  Slavery, rape, kidnapping, violence.  The Prisoner's Dilemma,  Etienne de la Boethie

.  The question of absolute moral and ethical determinates:  Plato, Kant

.   Utilitarian Arguments:  Bentham, Mill:  Euthanasia,  Treatment of Animals. Montaigne

.   Virtue Ethics:  empathy, compassion, ethics of care.  New Testament

.   Conflict and War:  The Just War?   Augustine, Thomas Aquinas

.   Friendship:  Epicurus (Lucretius), Aristotle, Cicero

.   Views of other moral philosophers on the above issues:  Aristotle, Hume, Rawls, Adam Smith, Machiavelli



.   

.  
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course......you should:

.  Be knowledgable of the details of the ethical systems treated in the course and the debates surrounding them.

.  Be able to clearly and succinctly discuss the above in class debates (pros and cons) and in short papers and résumés.

.  Take a position on one or more contemporary or historical ethical issues and defend your prosition.

.   Be able to identify ethical theories and interpretations with a given philosopher.

.   Have a clearer context and basis for making daily, ethical acts.

.   Be motivated and concerned to pursue and follow-up ethical issues and their possible solutions.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx     
Ethics: the Essential WritingsGordon Marino (ed.)Modern Library978-0-8129-7778-3 Ordered through Almost Corner   
Lord of the FliesWilliam GoldingPerigree Books978-0399501487 Ordered through Almost Corner   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Paper 1One two page paper giving the pros and cons of an ethical issue. Guidlines and criteria to be handed out.20%
Presentation 1 (Study and Research Groups)Debate, present the multiple factors of an ethical position: interpreters and possible solutions20%
Miterm PaperThree page paper on choice of ethical issue: pros, cons, context, solution20%
Preesentation 2: Study and Research GroupAs in Presentation 120%
Final Paper: Five PagesHow is an ethical issue treated by at least three interpreters20%
Study and Research GroupsYou will be assigned to a group of 3/4 other students and this will be your study and research group to prepare the two presentations and other assignments. Your group will be expected to meet when preparing the assignments, determine a research strategy, presentation format (power-point, discussion etc.), and divide-up the actual sections for the presentation. Other details will be discussed in class. 
Resumes ( 8 - 10)8-10 paragraphs summarizing or commenting on the prompt based on readings or lectures 

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cou
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:


AIMS AND SCOPE OF THE COURSE

The word "Ethics" is derived from the Greek for "to wish, be willing to", or making choices.  The course will examine this process of
making choices in as much as they affect the "other", the community, the greater range of humanity and the natural environment. 
Since the Greeks, this act or the process of making choices and decisions   in Western thought has been based on Reason
or "mind over matter". But what about the passions and emotions?  Or are human decisions determined by natural, innate (essentialist)
conditions, or are they the results of nurturing, acquired, or developmental processes (existentialist)?  What is the relation of  ethics to
morality?  The course will examine these questions and others related to the vast discipline of moral philosophy. 

In addition, the course will probe and debate the principle texts in ethics from the Greeks to contemporary interpretations while
occasionally making comparative references to other traditions such as Buddhism and Confusionism.

Ultimately, the aim of the course is to examine, discuss, raise questions and debate the interpretations of ethical issues and their
applications today.  How did  historical interpretations shape today's moral questions and how can they impact on the individual's
daily attitudes, choices, and decisions?  Therefore, the course will progress on two fronts:  chronologically and diachronogially.


ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

SCEDULE

Date

Topic

Assigned

Reading

Related Reading

Other Assignment,

Activity

 

M Jan 19

Introduction to the Course:  Review of Syllabus, Assignments and Logistics. Introductions

Ethics:  pp. 3 -42

Due:  Wed, Feb 4

(attention to the “Ring of Gyges”, Plato Republic, Book II)

“How to Read Philosophy”

Novel:  W. Golding,
Lord of the Flies
Due:

 

 

W Jan 21

Terms and Definitions:  Ethics and Morals.  Freedom and Subserviance;  Reason and Will

Rachel & Rachel,

“What is Morality?”

Research:

Normative Ethics

Study and Research Groups: “Guide Lines and Criteria for Presentations”

 

M Jan 26

Normative Ethics:

. Consequentialism

.  Deontology

.  Virtue Ethics

 

 

 

 

M Jan 28

Overview of Ethics:

Chronology and Philosophers

 

 

Résumé  1

 

W Feb 2

Violence , Negotiation and  Cooperation
Discussion of Lord of the Flies

 

“Prisoner’s Dilemma”

Cicero, De Amicitia/On Friendship

 

M Feb 4

Discussion:  “What is Morality?”

Stalley:  Plato’s Doctrine of Freedom

 

Rèsumé 2

 

W Feb 9

Plato’s Ethics and its

Succession; Stoicism,

Epicureanism

 

 

 

 

M Feb 11

Plato’s Ethics (con’t).

Doctrine of Freedom

Etienne de la Boétie,

The Discourse  of Voluntary Servitude

 

 

 

W Feb 16

Plato (con’t)

 

 

Résumé 3

 

M Feb 18

Discussion of de La Boétie

 

 

Paper Assignments:

“Criteria & Guidelines”

 

W Feb 23

Freedom and Choosing/Aristotle’s Ethics

Ethics, pp 46 - 87

Study Group 1:

Aristotle

Video:  Choices

 

M Feb 25

Study & Research Group  1 on Aristotle

 

 

Résumé 4

 

W Mar 2

Aristotle (con’t)

“Ethical Cultures and Traditions”

 

 

 

M Mar 4

Moral Relativism :

Sophists, Hellenism

Situation Ethics

Rachel & Rachel:

The Challenge of Cultural Relativism

 

 

 

 

 

W Mar 9

Moral Relativism:

Discussion of The Challenge…

Marcus Aurelius,

Meditations

 

 

Résumé 5

 

M Mar 11

Discussion of Marcus Aurelius

Rachel & Rachel,

Subjectivism in Ethics

Study & Research Group 2

 

 

W Mar 16

Presentation of  Study and Research Group 2 on  Rachel & Rachel

Ethics, pp. 111 – 118 Augustine, City of God  Book XIV

 

Video:

 

M Mar 18

Augustine, the problem of evil

Ethics, pp .119 – 133 Thomas Aquinas, Summa, XCIV

 

 

 

W Mar 25

Oral presentations of midterm papers

 

 

 

 

M Mar 30

Oral presentations of midterm papers

 

 

 

 

W April 1

Review and Catch-up

Midterm papers due.

Ethics:  pp. 134 – 148  Hobbes, Leviathan

Study Group 3:

Hobbes.

Study Group 4:

Hume

 

 

April 6 – 10

Spring Break

 

 

 

 

April 13

Presentation:  Study Group 3, Hobbes

Ethics, pp. 149 – 187.  Hume, An Inquiry Concerning Principles of Morals

Final Paper Assignment (criteria and guidelines to be handed out)

 

 

April 15

Presentation:

Study Group 4: Hume

Ethics:  pp. 225 – 255 J. S. Mill, Utilitarianism

Study Group 4:

Coles and Nagel;

Study Group 5: Kant

Ethics:  pp. 350-355; pp. 455 – 461; pp. 188 -224;

Résumé 6

 

April 20

 Study Group 4 & 5,

Coles, Nagel, Kant

Ethics, pp. 506 – 529, Singer, Rich and Poor

 

 

 

April 22

Discussion of Poverty and Wealth, Kleptocracy

 Rachels & Rachels:
"What Would a Satisfactory Moral Theory be Like?"

 

 

 

April 27

Overview and Review

 

 

 

 

April 29

Last Class

Overview and Review (con’t)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please Note:  the above readings and assignments may be altered or modified.