Basic Problems in Philosophy:
Moral Psychology
PHIL 100-001
MWF 10:40 - 11:30am
White Hall 102
Spring 2013 – Version 2.0
Instructor: Julia Haas
Contact: jshaas@emory.edu
Office: Bowden 313
Office Hours: M 11:30-12:30pm, W 9:30-10:30am
Course Description
In this course, students will learn about the major topics and themes in the field of moral psychology. By examining philosophical and contemporary scientific discussions of human moral functioning, we will aim to arrive at a broad sense of the problems and methods that currently inform discussions in moral psychology. We will cover a variety of topics, including the evolution of morality, moral emotions, moral intuitions and judgments, race and racial recognition, and feminist critiques of moral psychology. In doing so, we will try to answer such questions as ‘Where does our capacity for morality come from?,’ ‘why do we feel that certain actions are ‘just plain wrong’?,’ and
‘why do people sometimes perform random acts of kindness, when at other times they may fail to do what is right?’
Course Objectives a.
To engage with contemporary philosophical and scientific approaches to moral psychology b.
To take part in meaningful conversations about moral psychology and its social and ethical implications c.
To improve students’ critical reading, writing and thinking skills through regular discussions and assignments
Required Texts
Doris, John M.: The Moral Psychology Handbook
PHIL 100-001 Course-pack
ISBN: 978-0199582143
Class Schedule
Date Topic Read
INTRODUCTION
Assignment Evaluation
January
16, 2013
Introduction: What is moral psychology, and why is it important for us?
January
18, 2013
HISTORICAL & THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS
Virtue Ethics
Aristotle, “Virtue and
Character” (Course pack)
SHA
January
21, 2013
January
23, 2013 Kantian Ethics
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – no class
Immanuel Kant, “The Moral
Law and Autonomy of the
Will” (Course Pack)
SHA

January
25, 2013
January
28, 2013
January
30, 2013
February
1, 2013
February
4, 2013
Utilitarian Ethics
Jeremy Bentham, “The
Principle of Utility,” J.S. Mill,
“In Defense of Utilitarianism”
(Course pack)
BASIC CONCEPTS IN MORAL PSYCHOLOGY
Morality and
Evolution
Morality and
Evolution
Morality and
Evolution
Moral Emotions
February
6, 2013
February
8, 2013
Moral Emotions
Moral Emotions
February
11, 2013 Moral Intuitions
E. Machery and R. Mallon,
“Evolution of Morality,” 3-20
E. Machery and R. Mallon,
“Evolution of Morality,” 20-37
J. Prinz and S. Nichols, “Moral
Emotions,” 111-124
J. Prinz and S. Nichols, “Moral
Emotions,” 124-141
SHA
SHA
SHA
SHA
SHA
February
13, 2013 Moral Intuitions
W. Sinnott-Armstrong, L.
Young, and F. Cushman,
“Moral Intuitions,” 246-254
W. Sinnott-Armstrong, L.
Young, and F. Cushman,
“Moral Intuitions,” 255-270
SHA
February
15, 2013
Moral Intuitions
February
18, 2013 Moral Reasoning SHA
February
20, 2013
February
22, 2013
February
25, 2013
Moral Reasoning
Moral Reasoning
Lecture on Brain
Structure and
Function
G. Harman, K. Mason, and W.
Sinnott-Armstrong, “Moral
Reasoning,” 206-226
G. Harman, K. Mason, and W.
Sinnott-Armstrong, “Moral
Reasoning,” 226-242
SHA
Topic
February
27, 2013
March 1,
2013
March 4,
2013
March 6,
2013
March 8,
2013
Moral Motivation
Moral Motivation
Midterm Review
Midterm Exam
Library Instruction Session / Class cancelled
T. Schroeder, A. Roskies, and
S. Nichols, “Moral Motivation,”
72-89
T. Schroeder, A. Roskies, and
S. Nichols, “Moral Motivation,”
90-107
SHA
SHA
Quiz #3
Quiz #4
Quiz #1
Quiz #2

April 17,
2013
April 19,
2013
April 22,
2013
April 24,
2013
April 26,
2013
April 29,
2013
May 8,
2013
March 11-
15, 2013
April 1,
2013
April 3,
2013
April 5,
2013
[10]April
8, 2013
April 10,
2013
April 12,
2013
April 15,
2013
March 18,
2013
March 20,
2013
March 22,
2013
March 25,
2013
March 27,
2013
March 29,
2013
SPRING BREAK
Altruism and
Egoism
Altruism and
TOPICS IN MORAL PSYCHOLOGY
S. Stich, J. Doris, and E.
Roedder, “Altruism,” 147-169
S. Stich, J. Doris, and E.
Egoism
Altruism and
Egoism
Roedder, “Altruism,” 169-202
SHA
SHA
Annotated
Bibliography
Character
Character
Character
M. Merritt, J. Doris, and G.
Harman, “Character,” 355-370
M. Merritt, J. Doris, and G.
Harman, “Character,” 370-392
SHA
SHA
Responsibility
Responsibility
Responsibility
Well Being
J. Knobe and J. Doris,
“Responsibility,” 321-339
J. Knobe and J. Doris,
“Responsibility,” 339-350
SHA
SHA
Research Draft
Due
SHA
Well Being
Well Being
V. Tiberius and A. Plakias,
“Well Being,” 402-419
V. Tiberius and A. Plakias,
“Well Being,” 419- 428
SHA
Race and Racial
Recognition
Race and Racial
Recognition
Race and Racial
Recognition
Feminist Moral
Psychology
Feminist Moral
Psychology
Review for Final
Exam
D. Kelly, E. Machery, and R.
Mallon, “Race and Racial
Recognition,” 431-451
D. Kelly, E. Machery, and R.
Mallon, “Race and Racial
Recognition,” 452-466
M. Ridley, “Monogamy and the
Nature of Women” (Course
Pack)
C. Wilson, ‘The Preferences of
Women’ (Course pack)
FINAL EXAM PREP
SHA
SHA
Research
Paper Due
Review for Final Exam
Final Exam
Quiz #7
Quiz #6
Quiz #8

Grading
Your final grade for this course will be determined by attendance and participation, homework assignments, quizzes, a research paper, and a final exam.
Attendance and Class Participation: 5%
You should attend every class. You are permitted to have two unexcused absences from class sessions following the drop/add deadline, but any further unexcused absences will be reflected in your final grade.
Homework Assignments: 15%
The readings form the foundation for your learning and development in this course. Your reading is the assignment, but you’ve got to show me that you’ve done it! You can do this is in a couple of ways:
1.
2.
Take handwritten notes as you read
Take notes on your computer as you read
3.
Prepare a typed, 200-word summary of the assigned reading.
You must come to class having read the assigned text and having completed (and if applicable, printed) the accompanying homework assignment. I will collect your assignments at the beginning of each class. These assignments will be graded based on participation, but a repeated failure to complete them ‘in good faith’ will be reflected in your final grade.
In-class quizzes (8): 10%
There will be eight in-class quizzes over the course of the semester. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped, and they will not be worth very much in your final grade, but they will serve as essential indicators of how well you are grasping particular concepts. A quiz grade of 70% or lower will be met with a suggestion to come to office hours to review certain problems.
Midterm Exam: 20%
The midterm exam will be held on March 6, 2013.
Research Paper: 30%
You will write one (12-15 page) research paper over the course of the second half of the semester.
A portion of one class session will be devoted to paper writing so we can discuss the process in more detail. I will also distribute further guidelines. The project will be broken down as follows:
1) Topic: 1% - To help you get started on your paper, you will prepare a short (500-750 word) outline clearly describing your proposed topic and why you are interested in pursuing it. The topic will be due February 25, 2013.
2) Library Session – On March 8, 2013, we will meet with a subject librarian and discuss techniques in library and database research.
3) Annotated Bibliography: 2% - To help you keep on track with your research, you will prepare an annotated bibliography for 5 sources relevant to your paper topic, including a summary and/or an evaluation of each of the sources. It will be due March 22, 2013.

4) First Draft: 7% - A draft of your paper will be due on April 5, 2013. It will be returned to you before April 15, 2013.
5) Final Draft: 20% - The final draft will be due on April 26, 2013.
Final Exam: 20%
The final exam will cumulative. It will be held on May 8, 2013, from 8:30am-11:00, in White Hall,
102.
Policies
Late Work
All work is due at the date and time listed. Late work will be penalized by one grade per day (eg. from an A to an A-).
Computers in the Classroom
Unfortunately, the use of computers in the classroom is not permitted. (For more information, see
“In-class laptop use and its effects on student learning,” by C. Fried, 2008, under ‘Course
Documents’ on Blackboard)
Letter Grades
A 100-94% A- 93-90%
B+ 89-87% B 86-84% B- 83-80%
C+ 79-77% C 76-74% C- 73-70%
D+ 69-67% D 66-60%
F <60%
Academic Integrity
You are expected to follow the Emory College Honor Code. For more information, please visit http://college.emory.edu/home/academic/policy/honor_code.html
Disability and Access
If you require any special accommodations, please contact me in person or via email. I will more than happy to work with you and help coordinate any arrangements that may be of assistance. You are also encouraged to contact and register with the Office of Disability Services, Administration
Building, Suite 110 and at (404) 727-9877.
Revisions to Syllabus
Please note: this syllabus is subject to change at any time during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and noted on a revised syllabus posted to the Blackboard site for the course.