Philosophical Ethics
Prof. Jacob Archambault
Course Number: Phil 1000
Semester: Spring 2015
Office: Collins Hall, B9
Email: jarchambault@fordham.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 12:00pm-4:00pm
Required Texts
--Aristotle. Nichomachean Ethics. Trans. T. Irwin. Hackett, 1985.
--Kant, Immanuel. Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Hackett, 1993.
Course Description
Throughout this course, we will be attempting to answer questions like: what is the good life? What
does it mean for something to be good or evil? What is ethics? What does it mean to be ethical?
The course introduces the student to the main normative ethical theories in philosophy today; compares
and contrasts the ethical commitments of different places and ages; examines the ethical aims of the
structures encountered in modern life; and provides a systematic overview of the sources of morality.
Course Objectives
By the end of the semester, the student should have achieved the following:
1) The student will be able to summarize, compare, and contrast the major ethical schools in the
history of philosophy, including virtue ethics, utilitarianism and deontology. The student will
further be able to grasp the ways in which these views differ in their consequences and
applications.
2) The student will have achieved a better understanding of the relationship between one’s ethical
commitments and other beliefs; accordingly, the student will have achieved a better
understanding of the relationship of philosophical ethics to other subjects and areas of life.
3) The student will have learned how to write an article according to the stylistic standards of
contemporary research in the field.
Assignments and Grading
1. Participation (10%)—Students will be encouraged to ask questions and actively contribute to class
discussion throughout the semester.
2. Homework (20%)—Each class reading will be associated with a particular homework assignment
asking for, e.g., a reconstruction of an argument given in the text, an exegesis of a selection from
Aristotle’s text, etc. Homework will be periodically collected at the start of class.
3. Midterm Exam (30%)—Take home exam, short essay questions.
4. Final Paper (40%)—The student will write a journal article on a topic of contemporary interest,
chosen in consultation with the professor.
Miscellaneous Policies
1. Absences—In accordance with the policy of the Fordham University Handbook, four or more
undocumented absences will result in the automatic failure of the absentee.
2. Late attendance—will count as ½ an absence.
3. Electronics—In order to foster an environment of active participation free from distraction,
electronic devices (e.g. phones, computers) may not be used within the classroom.
4. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. 1st offense = failed paper. 2nd offense = fail course
5. Late assignments—Assignments will be downgraded by 1/3 of a letter grade for each class day
late.
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).
Syllabus
Week of:
Jan. 11-17
Monday
Semester Overview
Jan. 18-24
No Class
Jan. 25-31
Feb. 1-7
Feb. 8-14
Feb. 15-21
Feb. 22-28
Immanuel Kant, “What is Enlightenment?”
No class – snow day
No class – snow day
No class – snow day
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork II, 437-445
Mar. 1-7
Mar. 8-14
No class – snow day
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics I, 7-12
Mar. 15-21
Mar. 22-28
Mar. 29Apr. 4
No Class
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics III, 10-12
Martin Heidegger, “The Question Concerning
Technology”, pp. 3-12
Abstract for final paper due
No Class
Apr. 5-11
Apr. 12-18
Apr. 19-25
Apr. 26May 2nd
Martin Heidegger, “The Question Concerning
Technology”, pp. 23-35.
Vladimir Solovyov, The Justification of the
Good, ch. 2
First draft of final paper due
Vladimir Solovyov, The Justification of the
Good, ch. 4
First draft returned
Thursday
G. E. Moore, “The Subject Matter of
Ethics” Principia Ethica ch. 1
Charles Stevenson, “The Emotive Meaning
of Ethical Terms”
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork I, 393-401
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork I, 402-405
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork II, 406-421
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork II, 421-437
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics I, 1-3
Midterm due
No class – Snow day
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics II, 5-6; III, 69
No Class
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics V, 2-5
No Class
Martin Heidegger, “The Question
Concerning Technology”, pp. 12-23
Vladimir Solovyov, The Justification of the
Good, ch. 1
Vladimir Solovyov, The Justification of the
Good, ch. 3
Semester Review
Final paper due