Foundations of Ethics                                      Fall, 2006

Dr. Lee                                                                 Office Hrs: MW: 1:50- 

 Phone:  284-5837                                                         2:50; TR: 2-3

Website: www2.franciscan.edu/plee

E-mail:  plee@franciscan.edu

 

Note:  Studying philosophy gives you an opportunity to acquire or sharpen several important skills that will prove valuable no matter what you do later in life.  The leaders in society are those who: communicate, analyze, organize, question, and create.  Nothing develops such skills better than philosophy.  The study of philosophy is also valuable in itself, apart from its usefulness for other ends. So, the following are the main objectives of the course.

 

Specific Objectives: 

1)     to acquire an understanding of the basic alternative ethical positions and something of their impact on human action.

2)     to understand the basic ethical principles and their application to difficult specific issues.

3)     to develop further reading, writing and oral communication skills.

4)     to develop analytical skills, including an ability to scrutinize different sides of difficult questions.

 

Aug	29	Introduction: What is Philosophy? What is Ethics?
	31	Different Theories: Divine Command Theory, Relativism, Social Contract Theory, Utilitarianism
		Fieser, Ch. 1; and pp. 93-105
Sept	5	Relativism and Ethical Truth
		Beyond the New Morality, Ch. 6
	7	Critique of Relativism
	12	Human Nature and Free Choice
		Internet Reading Assignment #1
	14	Human Nature and Free Choice
		Brave New World: 3-80; Grisez, Chs. 3-4
	19	Human Nature and Free Choice
		Brave New World, pp.81-160; Grisez, Chs. 7
	21	Goodness In General
		Brave New World, pp. 161-230; Grisez, Chs. 7-8
	26	Moral Principles
		Brave New World, pp.231- 259; Grisez, Chs. 9-10
	28	Moral Principles Grisez, Chs. 11-12
Oct.	3	Naturalistic Fallacy
		Fieser, pp. 21-28; Ch. 13
	5	Aquinas and Natural Law Internet Reading Assignment #2
	10	EXAM I
	12	Aquinas and Natural Law
		ST, I-II, q. 94, aa. 3-6 (on internet); Fieser, pp. 62-70
	17	Aquinas and Natural Law
		ST, I-II, q. 97, aa. 1-2; q. 100, aa. 1, 8
	19	Aquinas and Natural Law
	24	Kant
		Fieser, Ch. 10; Kant in Packet
	26	Utilitarianism
		Fieser, pp. 191-199
	31	Utilitarianism
		Fieser, 199-205; Grisez, Ch. 12
Nov.	2	Love of God, Neighbor, Self
		Internet Reading Assignment #3
	7	Love of God, Neighbor, Self
	9	Specific Issue:  Killing
		Internet Reading Assignment #4
	14	Specific Issue:  Killing
	16	Specific Issue:  Sex Internet Reading Assignment #5
	21	Specific Issue:  Sex
	28	Ultimate End or Purpose
		Grisez, Chs. 19-20
	30	Ultimate End or Purpose
Dec.	5	Ultimate End or Purpose
	7	Conclusion
	12	Final Exam (8:00 am)

 

Texts:  Germain Grisez, Beyond the New Morality

                Jame Fieser, Moral Philosophy through the Ages

                Aldous Huxley, Brave New World         

               

 

Important Websites:

 for the Summa Theologiae:  www. newadvent.org/summa

for Adler:  www.radicalacademy.com/adlerdirectory.htm

 

ASSIGNMENTS: 

PARTICIPATION:  Your active contribution is important.  The classes will be mixtures of lecture and discussion.  So you must read the assignments and be ready to discuss them in class--the reading assignments usually will be in relatively short bits allowing you to reflect on the issues raised in them. The objective of the course is not just to understand the issues, but also to be able to articulate the different sides of the question and one's own position.  So, practice in organizing, explaining, and expressing the issues is essential. 

 

QUIZZES: There will be several short quizzes.  These will be announced ahead of time in class.  These will have an impact on your participation grade.  There will be no make-ups for quizzes.

 

READING ASSIGNMENTS:  These are listed under the topic on the right hand side. I would like you to at least begin the reading before the class in which that topic is discussed, and then read it carefully after the lecture and discussion in class on it.  Often, however, I will specify that you need to read the text carefully before the discussion in class.

 

PAPER:  Approximately 6-10 pp. long.  Suggested topics will be distributed; further instructions on its method will be given in class.  An outline of the paper must be submitted by October 24. The paper is due November 16. 

 

OTHER WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:  At times I may ask you to write one or two paragraphs on the reading assignment as preparation for a discussion in class. 

 

EXAMS:   There will be two exams, a mid-term and a final.  The final will be cumulative.  There will be no make-ups for exams.  If you miss an exam, then the other grades will count proportionately more for your total grade. 

 

GRADES:  The grade will be calculated as follows: About 30% for each exam, 30 % for the paper, and 10% for participation. (The participation grade will be based on your attendance, quizzes, and homework, and my judgment on whether you understand the material.)

 

NOTE:  Accommodations for students with disabilities are available.  If you need any accommodations please see me as soon as possible.