Introduction to Ethics
Reason, Emotion and the Pursuit of Well-Being
Fall 2012 (Version 1.0)
PHIL 115-002
TTH 4:00 -5:15pm
Math and Sciences Center, N-306
Instructor: Julia Haas
Contact: jshaas@emory.edu
Office Hours: W 4:00-5:00pm, TH 3:00-3:50pm
Course Description
This course introduces classical and contemporary theories of human nature, moral reasoning and living well.
The historical component of the course examines theories including virtue ethics, Kantian ethics, and
consequentialism. The systematic component examines topics including whether the capacity for moral
judgment can be learned or developed, what role the emotions and reasoning play in moral behavior, and
whether knowledge and the sciences can help shed light on how one ought to live one’s life. A non-evaluated,
practical component explores and evaluates exercises which are thought to foster moral resilience and wellbeing.
Course Objectives
a.
To analyze and learn from classical and contemporary ethical texts
b. To take part in meaningful discussions about ethics and well-being with your peers
c. To improve your critical thinking and writing skills through regular writing assignments
Required Texts
1. Plato: Protagoras
2. Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics
3. Epictetus: Handbook
4. Spinoza: Ethics, Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect, Selected Letters
5. Kant, Immanuel: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals
6: Mill, John Stuart: Utilitarianism
ISBN: 978-0872200944
ISBN: 978-0872204645
ISBN: 978-0915145690
ISBN: 978-1452848365
ISBN: 978-0872201668
ISBN: 978-0872206052
Additional materials will be made available online.
Class Schedule
Date
TH
08/30
T
09/04
TH
09/06
T
09/11
TH
09/13
T
09/18
Topic
Read
Th.
Thursdays
*(L) Introduction
Learning How to Read in Philosophy
(L) Ancient science and medicine
Protagoras
Plato, dialogues, the ‘frame’
309a-317e
Is virtue teachable?
Protagoras
Exercise
Protagoras’ myth
317e-329b
The nature of virtue,
Protagoras
Plato’s cultural critique
329c-349a
Protagoras
Virtue, knowledge, action
Music
349b-362
N. Ethics
The good, happiness
Bk. I, Ch. 1-7
*(L) Lecture
Evaluation
‘Reading in
Philosophy’
SWA no. 1
(Prot. 329c-333c)
SWA no. 2
(Bk. I, Ch. 1-2)
TH
09/20
T
09/25
TH
09/27
T
10/02
TH
10/04
T
10/09
TH
10/11
T
10/16
TH
10/18
T
10/23
TH
10/25
T
10/30
TH
11/01
T
11/06
TH
11/08
T
11/13
TH
11/15
T
11/20
TH
11/22
T
11/27
TH
11/29
T
12/04
TH
12/06
T
12/11
N. Ethics
Bk. I, Ch. 8-13
N. Ethics
Bk. II
N. E. Bk. III, Ch. 6-9,
Bk. VII, Ch. 1-8
Happiness, virtue
Virtue, the mean
Courage, friendship
‘Exercises’
Hugs (yes,
hugs)
Overcoming
procrastination
SWA no.3
(Bk. II, Ch. 5-6)
Midterm Paper Draft
(optional)
Handbook
(L) Medieval Philosophy and the Scientific Revolution
Ethics, Part I, until the
end of Prop. 16
Ethics, Part II, until the
end of Prop. 13
Substance
Body and mind
‘Joke project’
Midterm Paper
Fall Break
Emotions
Ethics, Part III, PrefaceProp. 18
Freedom
Ethics, Part V
‘Three good
things’
(L) Kant’s First Critique
Division of the sciences, common
human cognition
Metaphysics, the categorical
imperative
The categorical imperative,
autonomy and heteronomy
Freedom
Principle of utilitarianism,
happiness, motivation
Virtue, justice
Groundwork
Preface, Section I
Groundwork
Section II, until 4:422
Groundwork
Section II, 4:422-end
Groundwork
Section III
Utilitarianism
Chapters 1-3
Utilitarianism
Chapters 4-5
SWA no. 4
(Preface)
‘Gratitude
exercise’
SWA no. 5
Sct. II, 4:422-end
‘Gratitude
visit’
‘Strengths
Quiz’
(L) Darwin and Evolution
Prospectus
Thanksgiving
Evolution, morality
Reasoning and affect in moral
judgment
Cognitive science and well-being
Machery & Mallon,
“Evolution of morality”
Greene & Haidt, “How
(and where) does moral
judgment work?”
Tiberius & Plakias,
“Well-being”
‘Strengths in
New Ways’
Final Paper Draft
(optional)
‘You at your
best’
Buffer day
Last Day of Class: Review
Final Paper
Therapeutic Tuesdays
At the beginning of each Thursday session, we will spend 5-10 minutes discussing and evaluating empiricallyinformed exercises which are thought to foster well-being. Participation in these exercises will be optional and
not subject to evaluation. E.g.: ‘bring in examples of upbeat music to discuss the effects of music on mood.’
Evaluation
Grades for this course will be determined by your attendance, five homework assignments, two papers, and a
final exam.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Attendance and readings
Short Assignments (5% each)
Midterm Paper
Final Paper
Final Exam
10%
25%
15%
25%
25%
I. Attendance and Readings: 10%
You should attend every class. You are permitted to have two unexcused absences from class sessions
following the add/drop deadline, but any further unexcused absences will be reflected in your final grade.
The required readings form the foundation for your learning and development in this course. You must come
to class having read the text and have the text with you.
II. Short Writing Assignments: 25%
There will be five short writing assignments designed to help you integrate the course material and prepare
you for the essay-length assignments. Each assignment will consist in a short (500-750 word) analysis of a
section of the upcoming session’s assigned reading. It should address the following questions:
a. what is the passage about?
b. what is the main argument of this part of the text?
c. what are the main points of the argument, and how do they work?
The assignments will be marked as follows:
(+) – well written, indicating excellent comprehension
(√) – sufficient comprehension,
(-) – an invitation to discuss the material in office hours
A portion of our first class session will be devoted to writing these assignments, so we can discuss the process
in more detail.
Each assignment will be due by 9 pm on the night prior to the class for which the reading is assigned and
must be submitted via Blackboard.
Midterm paper (4-5 pages): 15%
You will write one short (4-5 page) essay. A portion of one class session will be devoted to paper writing so
we can discuss the process in more detail. I will also distribute further guidelines.
i)
Optional Draft – You may choose to submit a draft of your paper on September 27, 2012. It
will be returned to you on October 4, 2012.
ii)
The paper will be due on October 11, 2012 at 4pm and must be submitted via Blackboard.
Final paper (6-8 pages): 25%
You will also write one longer (6-8 page) paper. A portion of one class session will be devoted to writing the
final paper. I will also distribute further guidelines.
i)
Prospectus – A short (500-750 word) outline clearly describing your proposed argument and
including your preliminary sources of evidence. The prospectus will be due November 20, 2012
at 5pm and must be submitted via Blackboard.
ii)
Optional Draft – You may choose to submit a draft of your paper on November 29, 2012. It
will be returned to you on December 4, 2012.
iii)
Final Paper – The final draft of your paper will be due on December 11, 2012 at 5pm and must
be submitted via Blackboard.
Final Exam: 25%
The final exam will be cumulative and we will work on preparing for it over the course of the semester. It is
scheduled for December 18, 2012, from 12:30-3:00pm.
Policies
Late Work
All work is due at the date and time listed. Late work will be penalized by one grade per day (eg. from an A to
an A-).
Letter Grades
A 100-94%
B+ 89-87%
C+ 79-77%
D+ 69-67%
F <60%
A- 93-90%
B 86-84%
C 76-74%
D 66-60%
B- 83-80%
C- 73-70%
Academic Integrity
You are expected to follow the Emory College Honor Code. For more information, please visit
http://college.emory.edu/home/academic/policy/honor_code.html
Disability and Access
If you require any special accommodations, please contact me in person or via email. I will more than happy
to work with you to coordinate any arrangements which may be of assistance. You are also encouraged to
contact and register with the Office of Disability Services, Administration Building, Suite 110 and at (404)
727-9877.
Revisions to Syllabus
Please note: this syllabus is subject to change during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class
and noted on a revised syllabus posted to the Blackboard site for the course.