Philosophical Ethics (PHRU 1100)
Fordham University, Spring 2009
Professor:
E-mail:
Samir Haddad
sahaddad@fordham.edu
Description: Ethics is concerned with how we should live our lives. It seeks answers to such
fundamental questions as: What is happiness? What is right and wrong action? What are we to
do when there is a conflict between what makes us happy and what is right? In this course we
will examine three of the most important ethical theories – Aristotelian ethics, Kantian ethics,
and utilitarianism – through reading historical texts. We will also look at contemporary debates
in applied ethics concerning international aid, animal rights, and the practice of torture. Our aim
is to gain a comprehensive understanding of fundamental aspects of ethical theory, as well as
develop critical reading and argumentative skills.
Texts: Available at the Fordham University Bookstore.
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, trans. T. Irwin, Hackett Publishing, 1999 (2nd ed).
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, trans. M. Gregor, Cambridge
University Press, 1997.
You may use other editions/translations, but those listed above are recommended.
Additional articles are available on E-Res
Assessment:
Participation
3 In-class quizzes
Midterm
(Feb 20)
Short paper (due Mar 10)
Long paper (due Apr 7)
Final exam
16%
3% each
15%
10%
20%
30%
Schedule:
Wk 1 Tues
Jan 13
Introduction and mechanics
Fri
16
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I Chs 1-5 (1094a1-1096a11)
Tues
20
Nicomachean Ethics, Book I Chs 7-9, 13 (1097a15-1100a9,
1102a5-1103a11)
Fri
23
Nicomachean Ethics, Book II (1103a15-1109b27)
Tues
27
Nicomachean Ethics, Book III Chs 6-12 (1115a8-1119b19)
1st in-class quiz
Fri
30
Nicomachean Ethics, Book VIII Chs 1-4, 7, 8; Book IX Chs 4, 810 (1155a4-1163b28, 1166a1-1166b30, 1168a29-1171a21)
Aristotle
2
3
4
Tues
Feb 3
Nicomachean Ethics, Book X Chs 6-9 (1176a30-1181b24)
Fri
6
No set reading (class discussion)
2nd in-class quiz
Tues
10
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals,
Section I (pp.7-18; marginal 4:393-405)
Fri
13
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Section I (pp.7-18;
4:393-405) (cont.)
Tues
17
No class – Monday schedule
Fri
20
Midterm
Tues
24
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Section II (pp.19-27;
4:406-416)
Fri
27
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Section II (pp.27-34;
4:417-424)
Tues
Mar 3
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Section II (pp.27-34;
4:417-424) (cont.)
Fri
6
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Section II (pp.34-44;
4:425-437)
Tues
10
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Section II (pp.34-44;
4:425-437) (cont.)
Short paper due
Fri
13
No class
Kant
5
6
7
8
9
Spring Break - March 15-22
Utilitarianism
10
Tues
24
John Stuart Mill, from Utilitarianism, E-Res
Fri
27
Mill, from Utilitarianism, E-Res (cont.)
Issues in Applied Ethics
11
12
13
Tues
Apr 1
Peter Singer, “Famine, Affluence, and Morality”, E-Res
Fri
4
John Arthur, “Famine Relief and the Ideal Moral Code”, E-Res
Tues
7
Onora O’Neill, “The Moral Perplexities of Famine Relief”, E-Res
Long paper due
Fri
9
No class – Easter break.
Tues
14
Peter Singer, from Animal Liberation, E-Res
Fri
17
Jan Narveson, “Animal Rights Revisited”, pp.51-56, E-Res
3rd in-class quiz
2
14
15
Tues
21
Andrew McCarthy, “Torture: Thinking about the Unthinkable”,
E-Res
Fri
24
David Luban, “Liberalism, Torture, and the Ticking Bomb”, E-Res
Tues
28
Discussion and review (no set reading)
Final Exam in exam week
3