PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Phil 2401-04
Dr. Robert Hartman
Email: r-hartman.3@onu.edu
Phone: 419-772-2194
Office: Burgett 120
Office Hours: MW 3-4, T 12-3
Ohio Northern University
Fall 2023
M/W/F, 2:00-2:50
Burgett 115
3 Credits
Catalog Description
Major ethical theories and their application to the professions and topics that arise in the
professional setting. The nature of professions and responsibilities to clients and the public.
My Description
Students prepare to face moral hazards in their professional life. Students learn several theories
about what makes an action morally wrong or bad, and they learn what it is to be a professional in a
profession. Subsequently, students consider a broad range of ethical puzzles that arise across the
professions, learn to apply ethical theories to these cases, and consider the range of potential
consequences for the potential decisions.
Course Attributes
1. AS-HUM – Humanities
2. GE_Knowledge/ Principles of Civics/ Ethics
Required Texts
1. Clancy Martin, Wayne Vaught, and Robert C. Solomon (2017) Ethics Across the Professions,
2nd Edition (Oxford University Press).
2. Other essays are available on Canvas.
School Course Objectives
1. To apply multiple ethical theories to moral problems that arise in a professional setting
2. To analyze multiple solutions paths to a moral problem that arises in a professional setting
3. To evaluate the potential impacts of one’s informed ethical and professional decisions in
resolving a moral problem that arises in a professional setting
Additional Course Objectives
1. To sharpen skills in identifying and assessing arguments
2. To develop the ability to write clear, concise, and cogent arguments
3. To practice respectful discussion
4. To increase confidence in thinking and making decisions
5. To cultivate a love for wisdom
Course Requirements
1. Preparation: Complete the reading in a way that understands the content in accordance with the
schedule; understanding philosophical texts often requires reading them more than once. Students
should bring the assigned reading to the classroom, which means that students should print out
online readings (unless instructed not to in the syllabus).
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2. Participation: The problem-solving that we do in class discussions requires your participation.
Students are responsible for participating. I understand that it is a risk to contribute a thought
because it is your thought. Be courageous! Sharing your thoughts is how you do philosophy. To
encourage participation, students will be graded on it. How often should a student speak to receive a
good mark? Contribute to discussion in most class sessions.
3. Etiquette: Students should come to class on time, be respectful of one another, and put their
phones in their backpacks during class. Students should not talk while I am talking or leave in the
middle of class. Students who transgress these etiquette guidelines, or other commonsense
guidelines, may forfeit part or all of their participation grade.
4. Ten Reading Quizzes: They encourage attendance, timeliness, and preparation. They are graded
pass/fail. I drop your three lowest scores. There are no make-ups even if your absence is excused.
5. Exams: Students will take three exams. More details to follow.
6. Paper: Students will write a paper during their final exam period. In it, students describe a morally
significant case (e.g. whistleblowing) and apply the ethical theory of their choice to it. We will have
two writing workshops to teach and improve philosophical writing.
Grading Breakdown
Participation
Reading Quizzes
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Exam (Paper)
11%
14%
15%
20%
20%
20%
Grading Scale
100-90 = A
89-80 = B
79-70 = C
69-60 = D
59-0 = F
Instructor Policies
1. Attendance: Students must attend class in person. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to do
the readings for that day and get the notes from someone in class. After you've done the readings
and reviewed the notes, come to office hours with your questions.
2. No Recordings: Students are not allowed to record lectures.
3. No Electronics: No cell phones, laptops, or other electronic devices are allowed but for extenuating
circumstances. Here is my rationale: http://www.robertjhartman.com/wpcontent/uploads/2022/01/why_im_asking_you_not_to_use_laptops.pdf
4. Late Work: Late work is accepted only in emergency situations. Students in such a circumstance
should contact me right away.
5. Cancellation of In-Person Instruction: If ONU must cancel in-person class meetings for weather or any
other reason, an announcement will be released in the official RAVE email and text. The campus
will be told that ONU will be moving to virtual instruction. For this class, we will either meet
virtually at the scheduled class time (the link will be distributed via email) or you’ll be expected to
complete course material asynchronously on Canvas. I’ll communicate which of these options we’ll
use. Feel free to email me with questions or concerns.
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6. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the unacknowledged or falsely acknowledged presentation of ideas,
expression, or research as your own when it is not your own; thus, coaching AI to write your paper is
plagiarism. Plagiarism often gives the reader the impression that the student has written or thought
something that they have in fact borrowed from another. Any paraphrasing or quotation must be
appropriately acknowledged, and published materials appropriately cited. What happens if you are
caught cheating? You will fail the assignment; you may also fail the course and/or be disciplined by
the university.
7. Please Ask: Philosophy is hard. Sometimes I forget this fact. On such occasions, I might introduce
ideas too quickly or use technical vocabulary. If this happens, ask me to slow down or re-explain. I
offer participation credit for this!
University Policies
1. Academic Dishonesty: The University expects its students to conduct themselves in a dignified and
honorable manner as mature members of the academic community and assumes that individually
and collectively they will discourage acts of academic dishonesty. The University also expects
cooperation among administrators, faculty, staff, and students in preventing acts of academic
dishonesty, in detecting such acts, reporting them, and identifying those who commit them, and in
providing appropriate punishment for offenders. The University Code of Academic Student
Conduct is found in Appendix F of the Student Handbook: www.onu.edu/student-life
2. Academic Accommodations: Students requiring particular accommodations because of physical
and/or learning disabilities should contact the Student Disability Coordinator prior to or during
the first week of classes. For additional information, see: www.onu.edu/disability-services
3. ONU Health and Safety Policy: All students must comply with Ohio Northern University’s
COVID-19 health and safety policies, including the ONU Safety Plan. Up-to-date
communications about ONU’s COVID-19 health and safety policies and a link to the ONU
Safety Plan can be found on the following website: https://www.onu.edu/covid-19implementation-plan. Some academic programs may require students to follow additional
health and safety protocols in laboratory, clinical, or internship situations. Requests for
COVID-19 related accommodations should be submitted to the Student Disability
Coordinator prior to or during the first week of classes (www.onu.edu/disability-services).
Additionally, students who do not comply with the ONU Safety Plan will be reported to the
Office of Student Conduct for adjudication.
4. Title IX: Ohio Northern University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination on the basis of
sex, gender, transgender status, gender identity, or gender expression in its educational,
extracurricular, or athletic programs, or in any admission or employment decisions. ONU is
committed to promptly and equitably responding to all reports of sexual discrimination with the goal
of eliminating the misconduct and/or harassment, preventing its recurrence, and addressing its
effects on any individual or the community. To report sexual misconduct (violence) or sexual
harassment, students may contact titleix@onu.edu or contact the Title IX Coordinator, Liannie
Parahoo, 419-227-0061, or one of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators: Brian Hofman, 419-772-1878;
or Linda Young, (419) 772-2438. To confidentially discuss sexual misconduct (violence) or sexual
harassment, students may contact University Confidential Resources: Counseling Center, (419) 7722190; Health Center, (419) 772-2086; or Chaplain, (419) 772-2200. For more information, the
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University's Sexual Discrimination Policy is available at www.onu.edu/title-ix.
5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement: This course strives to foster an inclusive learning
environment, respecting those of differing backgrounds and beliefs, regardless of the basis of race,
color, sex, gender identity, transgender status, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual
orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other category
protected by federal, state, or local law. Please let your instructor know if you prefer to be called a
different name other than what is provided on the class roster.
COURSE SCHEDULE
*subject to change*
General Ethics & the Professions
Aug 21: Syllabus
Aug 23: Why Do Professional Ethics?
Canvas: Bennett, “The Conscience of Huckleberry Finn,” pp. 339-342 only (Print)
Internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVV2Zk88beY
Aug 25: Reflective Equilibrium
Canvas: Bennett, “The Conscience of Huckleberry Finn,” pp. 345-347 only (Print)
Aug 28: Arguments & Cultural Relativism
Canvas: Benedict, “Cultural Relativism,” 33-37 (Don’t Print)
Aug 30: Moral Objectivism
Canvas: Pojman, “A Defense of Ethical Objectivism,” 38-51 (Print)
Sept 1: Why Be Moral?
EAP: Plato, “The Ring of Gyges,” 68-70
EAP: Kant, “Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals,” 76-78
Sept 4: No Class – Labor Day
Sept 6: Why Be Moral in the Professions?
EAP: Hobbes, “Of the Natural Condition of Mankind…,” 71-73
Sept 8: Moral Hazards in the Professions
EAP: Wasserstrom, “Lawyers as Professionals…” 24-34
Sept 11: Moral Hazards in the Professions
EAP: Gorovitz, “Good Doctors,” 34-45
Sept 13: The Professions + Review
EAP: Bayles, “The Professions,” 9-12
Sept. 15: Exam I
Codifiable Ethics & the Professions
Sept 18: Consequentialism
Canvas: Bentham, “Hedonism,” 120-122 (Print)
Sept 20: Consequentialism
EAP: Williams, “George, Jim, and Utilitarianism,” 103-104
Sept 22: Counselors & Lying
EAP: “Lying and Deception for Counselors and Clients,” 217-221
Sept 25: Pharmacists & Conscientious Objection
EAP: Cantor & Baum, “The Limits of Conscientious Objection…” 139-145
Sept 27: Kantian Deontology
EAP: Kant, “Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals,” 80-82
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Sept 29: *Asynchronous Class* Kantian Deontology
Canvas: Online Discussion
Oct 2: Kantian Deontology
EAP: Kant, “Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals,” 82-83
Oct 4: Doctors & Lying
EAP: Freedman, “Offering Truth…” 221-228
Oct 6: Lawyers & Confidentiality
EAP: Donagan, “Justifying Legal Practice … a Look at Confidentiality,” 272-278
Oct 9: No Class – Fall Break
Oct 11: Practice Exam: Business Case Study
Canvas: LaComb and Sullivan, “To Pull the Bottles or Not,” 1-7 (Don’t Print)
Oct 13: Exam 2
Non-Codifiable Ethics & the Professions
Oct 16: Ethics of Prima Facie Duties
Canvas: Ross, “Prima Facie Duties,” 135-141 (Print)
Oct 18: Ethics of Prima Facie Duties
Canvas: Ross, “Prima Facie Duties,” 135-141 (Print)
Oct 20: Doctors & Lying
EAP: Collins, “Should Doctors Tell the Truth?” 211-217
Oct 23: Virtue Ethics
Canvas: Hursthouse, “Normative Virtue Ethics,” 19-31 only (Print)
Oct 25: Particular Virtues and Vices
Canvas: Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, Selections from Books III-V, 1-7 (Print)
Oct 27: Particular Virtues and Vices
Canvas: Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, Selections from Books III-V, 7-16 (Print)
Oct 30: Virtues in Engineering
Canvas: Harris, “The Good Engineer,” 153-163 (Print)
Nov 1: Business & Lying
EAP: Leiser, “Truth in the Marketplace,” 228-236
Nov 3: Practice Exam: Doctors & Confidentiality
Canvas: Hope, “How Modern Genetics is Testing Traditional Confidentiality,” 87-90, 95-99
(Print)
Nov 6: Exam 3
Professional Ethics
Nov 8: Writing Workshop
Canvas: Metcalf, “How to Write a Philosophical Essay,” 1-4 (Don’t Print)
Nov 10: Whistleblowing
EAP: Davis, “Some Paradoxes of Whistleblowing,” 311-316
EAP: Duska, “Whistleblowing and Employee Loyalty,” 317-321
Nov 13: Conflicts of Interest in Policing and Drug Companies
Coleman, “Conflicts of Interest and Policing…” 436-444
Canvas: Allhoff, “Pharmaceutical Payments and Opioid…,” 247-248 (Don’t Print)
Nov 15: Affirmative Action in Hiring and Promotion
Canvas: Hausman, “Affirmative Action: Some Bad Arguments and Some Good…” (Print)
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Nov 17: Religious Exemptions on the Job
EAP: Corvino, “Under God’s Authority…” 484-488
Nov 20-24: No Class—Thanksgiving Break
Nov 27: Social Responsibility in General
EAP: Singer, “Rich and Poor,” 382-385
Nov 29: Social Responsibility & Medicine
EAP: Tomlinson, “Caring for Risky Patients,” 394-399
Dec 1: Social Responsibility & Journalism
EAP: Smolkin, “Off the Sidelines,” 404-408
Dec 4: “Just Following Orders” & Integrity
Canvas: Milgram, “The Perils of Obedience,” 119-128 (Print)
EAP: Calhoun, “Standing for Something,” 329-331
Dec 6: Conformity
EAP: Lewis, “The Inner Ring,” 429-432
Dec 8: Paper Workshop – Bring Four Copies of Your Outline
Dec 13 (2-4pm): Final Paper Written in Class