Philosophical Ethics – PHIL 3000 EP3 R15
Instructor: Joseph M. Vukov
Meeting Time: Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30am-9:45am
Location: Faculty Memorial Hall 219
Office: Collins B15
Office Hours: Thursdays 10am-noon and by appointment
Email: joseph.vukov@gmail.com, jvukov@fordham.edu
Course Information: available at http://fordham.blackboard.com
Course Description [from catalogue]: This course involves philosophical reflection on the major normative
ethical theories underlying moral decision making in our everyday lives. The principal focus of the course is
a systematic introduction to the main normative ethical theories, i.e., eudaimonism, natural law ethics,
deontological ethics, utilitarianism, virtue ethics and feminism. The differences among these approaches are
illuminated by studying various moral issues. In each section of the course, at least half the readings will be
selected from Aristotle and Kant. Each section will include writings by at least one contemporary figure.
Course Objectives [my own]: This course introduces students to historically-important and contemporary
ethical theories. The course also considers the way in which ethical theory can be used to approach
contemporary ethical issues and make decisions. The objectives of the course are fourfold:
First, students who successfully complete the course will demonstrate the acquisition of important critical
thinking skills. These skills include, but are not limited to: the ability to use logic to recognize sound, valid,
inductive, and fallacious moral arguments; the ability to write clearly and concisely; the ability to present a
philosophical argument orally; the ability to read a piece of philosophy critically; and the ability to construct
moral arguments.
Second, students who successfully complete the course will demonstrate familiarity with historicallyimportant ethical theories. Ethical theories discussed may include: Utilitarian ethics, deontological ethics,
contractarian ethics, and Aristotelian/virtue ethics. Figures studied may include: Aristotle, Bentham, Mill,
Kant, Rawls, Nozick, Williams, O’Neill, Singer, and others.
Third, students who successfully complete the course will be able to apply ethical theory to contemporary
ethical issues. There are two dimensions to this objective: First, students will be able to approach an ethical
issue from a variety of theoretical standpoints. Second, students will be able to formulate their own
responses to ethical issues using the theories and methods covered in class.
Fourth, students who successfully complete the course will demonstrate familiarity with issues in
contemporary bioethics.
Notice from the Office of Disability Services. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of
the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all students, with or without disabilities, are entitled to equal
access to the programs and activities of Fordham University. If you believe that you have a disabling
condition that may interfere with your ability to participate in the activities, coursework, or assessment of the
object of this course, you may be entitled to accommodations. Please schedule an appointment to speak
with someone at the Office of Disability Services (Rose Hill - O’Hare Hall, Lower Level, x0655 or at
Lincoln Center – Room 207, x6282).
Texts
Required
Mill Utilitarianism – ISBN 978-0872206052
Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics – ISBN 978-0872204645
Kant Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals – ISBN 978-0872201668
Additional Readings Available on ERes
Recommended: Style: Toward Clarity and Grace by Joseph Williams – ISBN 978-0226899152
Grading Scale
Your final grade will be assigned based on the following scale:

94-100%A

90-93% A-

87-89% B+

84-86% B

80-83% B-

77-79% C+

74-76% C

70-73% C-

60-69% D

0-59% F
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated. All offenses will be reported to the dean of the
student’s college. You are responsible for knowing what plagiarism is – ignorance is no excuse.
Penalties for cheating are – at minimum – as follows:
First Offense: The student will receive an F on the assignment. Second Offense: The student will receive
an F in the course. For Fordham’s full official policy on academic integrity, see:
http://www.fordham.edu/Audience/handbooks.shtml#6
Basic Expectations
I expect from you:
 Interaction: I expect you to interact regularly, intelligently, and respectfully with the readings,
with your classmates, and with me.
 Preparation: I expect you to complete your readings and assignments by the day for which they
are assigned.
 Thoughtfulness: I expect all of your work to demonstrate time spent thinking. Our texts all
merit careful reading; the issues and ideas we will be covering are complex. In short, whether


you are explaining another’s view or putting forward your own, I expect your work to reflect
effort.
Punctuality: I expect you to arrive to every class session and turn in every assignment on time.
Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made at least three
days before the assignment is due.
To turn off any screens: Computers and cell phones are not to be used in the classroom.
You Can Expect from Me:

Timeliness: I will return your assignments in a timely fashion. I will also reply to emails within 48


hours of receiving them.
Preparation: I will come to class well-prepared for the day’s session.
Availability: I will be available at office hours or whenever we can find time to answer your
questions about assignments, grading, or other aspects of the course.
Means of Evaluation
Your final grade will be a weighted one. This means that various assignments will count towards a certain
percentage of your final grade. The assignments and their respective weights are listed below; the
descriptions are all subject to (slight) modification:
Argument Rehearsals (3 pages each): 40%
In your argument rehearsals, you will articulate three arguments we cover in class – Mill’s Argument for
Utilitarianism; Kant’s Argument for the Good Will; and Aristotle’s Function Argument. Argument
rehearsals serve two purposes: First, they allow you to show me that you understand how philosophical
arguments work. Second, they help you hone your writing, editing, and speaking skills. You will be allowed
to complete two drafts of each written rehearsal. After you submit your first draft, I will return your paper
with a tentative grade and comments. You should then revise your paper according to these comments
before submitting your second and final draft. Only the highest score of the two written drafts will be
recorded. Here are the details of rehearsal topics and relevant due dates:
Mill’s Argument for Utilitarianism
Draft 1 Due: Class 5. Final Draft Due: Class 9
Kant’s Argument for the Good Will
Draft 1 Due: Class 12. Final Draft Due: Class 15
Aristotle’s Function Argument
Draft 1 Due: Class 17. Final Draft Due: Class 20
Rehearsals: Oral Component
In addition to submitting written rehearsals, you will also orally recite two of the arguments listed above (of
your choice) to me. In order to fulfill this requirement, you will have to meet with me one-on-one. While
you are allowed to bring a notecard with the arguments’ premises, you should have the argument mostly
memorized. This assignment is graded pass-fail. If you pass, the grade on your corresponding written
rehearsal will remain unaffected – if you fail, your corresponding written rehearsal will receive an F. There
is no limit to how many times you may attempt your oral rehearsals, as long as you complete them by the
dates indicated below:
Mill’s Argument for Utilitarianism: Class 12
Kant’s Argument for the Good Will: Class 17
Aristotle’s Function Argument: Class 21
Attendance: 5%
Attendance will be recorded at every class session. You are allowed two unexcused absences, no questions
asked. For every unexcused absence beyond this, I will deduct 1 percentage point from your attendance
grade (i.e. if you miss three sessions, you will receive 4% for attendance; four sessions, 3%; and so on). For
Fordham’s policy on excused absences, see:
http://www.fordham.edu/student_affairs/deans_of_students_an/student_handbooks/rose_hill_student_ha/u
niversity_offices/academic_affairs/student_attendance_p_72157.asp.
If you miss more than six class sessions (whether these absences are excused or unexcused), you will receive
an F for the course.
Final Paper (6-10 pages): 25%
In your final paper (6-10 pages), you may either write about a topic of your choice [to be pre-approved by
me], or choose from a list I will distribute later in the semester. In this paper, I will expect you to
demonstrate all the skills you have acquired throughout the semester; you should demonstrate a thorough
understanding of any books or articles with which you interact as well an ability to articulate and defend a
philosophical argument. In your final paper, however, I also expect you to formulate an original position,
one in which at least some of your premises and/or defenses are your own.
As in your rehearsals, you will be allowed to complete two drafts of your final paper. However, rather than
receiving comments from me after your first draft, you will receive comments from each other. A class
session has been set aside to facilitate this peer review editing. I will also be willing to meet with you one-onone to discuss first drafts. You will then revise your paper based on the comments you receive, and submit
a final draft to me. Relevant due dates are as follows:
Final Paper Draft 1 Due: Class 23. Peer Review Editing: Class 24. Final Paper Final Draft Due: Class 26
Final: 20%
The final will be cumulative and will consist mostly of short answer questions. More information and a
review sheet will be distributed near the end of the semester.
Final Exam Date: TBA. NOTE: Do not buy tickets home until after the final date has been announced.
Leaving early is not an acceptable excuse for missing the final.
Bioethics Debates: 10%
For this assignment, you will work with a group of 3-4 members of your class to present one side of a
contemporary debate in bioethics. These presentations will involve (i) presenting an article to be assigned
by me, at least three other sources, and your own original contribution to the issue, (ii) responding to the
group that opposes your group’s position, and (iii) fielding questions from the class. Groups will be allowed
to choose from the following topics, which will be assigned based on a first-come, first-serve basis:
Is there a right to health care? Yes or No
Should we engage in gene therapy? Yes or No
Should we ever engage in euthanasia? Yes or No
More information about this assignment will be distributed later in the semester.
Schedule of Readings and Assignments
All readings are subject to alteration
Days marked WORKSHOP will be devoted exclusively to discussion of philosophical writing, peer review,
and other skills essential to fulfilling this course’s EP requirement.
Introduction to Philosophical Ethics
Class 1 – Course Introduction – from Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics [by email]
Class 2 – WORKSHOP – Reading, Writing, and Thinking in Philosophy – Aristotle – Aristotle on Logic
[ERes]
Class 3 – Rachels – The Challenge of Cultural Relativism [ERes]
Utilitarianism, Deontology, and Contractarianism
Class 4 – Bentham – Classical Hedonism [ERes]; Mill, Chapters I and IV
Class 5 – Mill, Chapter II – Mill Draft 1 Due
Class 6 – Hospers – Rule-Utilitarianism [ERes]
Class 7 – Singer – Famine, Affluence, and Morality [ERes]
Class 8 – Problems with Utilitarianism [ERes]
Class 9 – Mill Final Draft Due
Class 10 – Kant, Preface and Chapter 1
Class 11 – Kant, Chapter 2
Class 12 – O’Neill – A Kantian on Poverty [ERes] – Mill Oral Rehearsal Due – Kant Draft 1 Due
Class 13 – Foot – Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives [ERes]
Class 14 – Rawls – Liberal Contractarianism: Justice as Fairness [ERes]
Aristotle and Virtue Ethics
Class 15 – Aristotle, from Physics and De Anima [ERes] – Kant Final Draft Due
Class 16 – Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: Book I
Class 17 – Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics Book II and III– Aristotle Draft 1 Due – Kant Oral Rehearsal
Due
Class 18 – WORKSHOP – Developing your Thesis – Nicomachean Ethics: Books IV and VI
Class 19 – Aristotle – Nicomachean Ethics: Book VII
Class 20 – Aristotle – Nicomachean Ethics: Book VIII-IX – Aristotle Final Draft Due
Class 21 – Aristotle – Politics: Selections [ERes] – Aristotle Oral Rehearsal Due
Class 22 – Aristotle – Nicomachean Ethics: Book X
Class 23 – Frankena – A Critique of Virtue-Based Ethics – Final Paper Draft 1 Due
Class 24 – WORKSHOP – Peer Review Editing of Final Papers – Introduction to Bioethics – Vaughn –
Bioethics [ERes]
Applied Ethics: Bioethics
Class 25 – Bioethics Debates
Class 26 – Bioethics Debates – Final Paper Final Draft Due
Class 27 – Bioethics Debates
Class 28 – Course Summary and Review – from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics [by email]