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The Ethics of Biology
Spring 2005
Biology 485
Instructor: Dr. David W. Buckalew. McCorkle 127.
Telephone: 395-2586
Office Hours: TR 1:00-2:00 and 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Course Description: A study of basic ethical principles coupled with student-led discussions of
how these principles apply to contemporary personal and professional
biological concerns. Open to Biology majors and minors. 1 credit.
Text: Kaufman, Frederik A. 2003. Foundations of Environmental Philosophy, A Text with
Readings, McGraw Hill Publ. 434 pp. with glossary.
Course Objectives:
1) To investigate ethical questions pertaining to man’s philosophical views of the environment
and to focus study some of the classic discourses on several of the major issues.
2) To discuss the rationale of moral philosophy and the relevance of utilitarianism, deontology,
natural law, and virtue ethics as they apply to formulating an environmental ethic.
3) To learn to recognize moral arguments and to apply rational inquiry in making ethical
choices.
4) To come to a realization that our feelings toward the natural world are as much a composite
of our philosophical, religious, and cultural conditioning as they are based on our scientific
knowledge.
5) To further your experience in leading classroom discussion based upon specified topics
provided by assigned reading(s) and case studies in environmental philosophy.
Course Requirements:
The requirements for this course center on three general topic areas including:
1. Choice of one prominent essay related to a major issue in environmental
philosophy
*To explore and consider the fundamental issue developed within an essay on environmental
ethics and to present and lead a discussion on that reading in class.
*To be familiar with all jargon (be it religious, psychological, economic, scientific, or otherwise)
used in the assigned readings.
*To do sufficient background investigation into the topic(s) discussed in readings to be able to
address key points of arguments.
*To answer and discuss the follow-up questions posed for each reading with the class.
2. To make a written and verbal presentation of your chosen essay.
Each student will choose an essay from the text that generates ethical controversy. Each student
will discuss the pertinent issues, providing solutions to the questions within each essay. Please
remember, there are several doctrines of ethical philosophy when attempting to resolve these
issues. Please adhere to at least two such approaches. Students will sign up for a specific
essay and a discussion date by lottery system during the 2nd class meeting. Each student will
write a paper on an essay and present a 10-12 minute oral report (usually directed by a
PowerPoint outline) allowing time for ~5 minutes of discussion on the topic. A written paper
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covering the essay and the specific questions is to be submitted. The written paper
should be at least three to four pages in length, typed, and double-spaced. The paper must be
properly annotated (see style format at end of syllabus) if outside references are used and is DUE
on the Friday of the week the oral report/discussion is given.
The written paper should include:
a. Introductory paragraph(s) which introduce the overarching theme of the essay
(usually discussed in the opening section of the essay chapter).
b. Body of discussion citing the author’s main argument(s), providing his/her
premises or reasons in support of the main argument(s).
c. Concluding recapitulation of the argument.
d. Answers to the initial questions at the front of the essay.
Oral reports will be graded based on the criteria accompanying this syllabus.
3. ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY
DISCUSSIONS. – which includes both attendance and participation!
Attendance and Participation: This is a discussion course examining ethical decision making
in the biological sciences and active student participation is important. Everyone is expected to
attend all classes and to arrive on time. (Note: Absences in excess of 25% will result in an
automatic “F”. Since the course meets 7 times, only 2 absences are in excess of 25%!)
Class Schedule:
The class will meet in Room 107 Stevens on Mondays from 4:00 – 5:40 p.m. through Oct 18
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Jan 17
Discussion of course objectives as they relate to the environmental essay topics in
textbook.
Assignment of presentation dates/report deadlines.
Outline and discuss Chapter 1: Moral Philosophy and the Natural World
Assign Chapter 2: Moral Reasoning for next meeting
Jan 24
Discussion of Chapter 2: Moral Reasoning
Choice of essays and presentation date via lottery system
Jan 31
Typical approach to leading a classroom discussion – “On Being Morally
Considerable” by Kenneth Goodpasture – p. 217
Feb 7
First 3 discussion reports
Feb 14
Next 3 discussion reports
Feb 21
Next 3 discussion reports
Feb 28
Next 3 discussion reports
Mar 7
Last 3 discussion reports
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Grading:
Oral presentations
Topic Paper
Participation
Attendance
50%
30%
10%
10%
Honor Code:
Please remember to certify your support of the honor code at Longwood University by
signing the honor code pledge to all your work.
Style Form for Report:
Since most scientific journals use the Harvard system of referencing, we shall do
likewise. Put references having no author at the end of the bibliography. When referring
to references in the text of your paper, use the author’s name and date in parentheses (i.e.,
Smith, 2004). If the reference is from the Internet, reference the Internet address in
brackets and include the date information was accessed. In the bibliography, use the
following style for articles:
1. Brown, Mary. 2000. Ethical issues in genetic engineering. Nature 132: 95-99.
2. Sehgal, J.M. 2004. The labour implications of HIV/AIDS. [Homepage of the
International Labor Organization], [Online].
Available: www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/trav/aids/labour_htm.
Accessed: February 9, 2005.