PHI 102/02 Ethics MWF 10-10:50, MAK B Prof. David Vessey Office Hours: MF 11-12, 1-2. (616)

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1 PHI 102/02 Ethics MWF 10-10:50, MAK B Prof. David Vessey Office Hours: MF 11-12, 1-2 Office: MAK B and by appointment (616) Course Texts: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (Hackett) Hobbes, Leviathan (Hackett) Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals (Hackett) Beauvoir, Second Sex (Vintage, Borde & Malovany-Chevallier trans.) Coates, Between the World and Me Course Description: No questions are more important than these: How should we live our lives? and What kind of person should we be? These are the central questions of ethics. We will look at a variety of ways philosophers have sought a general answer to these questions. What makes their answers philosophical rather than personal is their appeal to reasons as evidence for their conclusions. In this class we are interested both in their conclusions and their reasoning. We will read four dramatically different approaches to ethics: Aristotle s teleological ethics; Hobbes consequentialist ethics; Kant s deontological ethics; and Beauvoir s existential ethics. We will also read and discuss the 2015 National Book Award winning Between the World and Me. The last week open for the students to decide what to read and discuss. Course Method: Philosophy is best done in conversation. The greater variety of ideas we can draw on the better we will be able as a class to come to some reliable insights on philosophical questions. Therefore although there will be some lectures to set the stage for the discussion, the majority of the class time will be spent in discussion. This means that students must come to class ready to discuss having read carefully the material, at least once, and being prepared to raise and address issues found in the text. Since discussions cannot be made up, attendance and participation are important parts of the grade. The daily attendance/participation grade is: F-not in class; D-in class but unprepared; C-in class, prepared, not participating in discussion; B-in class, prepared, participating in discussion; A- in class, prepared, significantly contributing to the discussion. It is assumed all absences are excused absences; over four absences will result in the final grade divided in half (so the highest final grade would be a C). Computers and cell phones are not allowed on the desks as they tend to take the focus away from the discussion. Course Assignments: In addition to the reading and participation requirements, there will be four, 3-4-page papers (approx. 1000words), two exams, and a final exam. The tests will be multiple choice tests based on the readings. The papers should be submitted through Safe Assign in Blackboard. A minimal requirement for university level papers is that they are typed, double-spaced, 12 pt Times or Times/New Roman font, with 1 inch margins. They should also be proofread carefully for typos. A typo policy applies to all papers: the grade on the papers will be lowered one grade (for example, from an A to an A-) for every four typos. Typos include grammatical errors, spelling errors, improper use of gendered pronouns, and failure to properly cite a quotation. Failure to cite differs

2 from plagiarism. Plagiarism is a sign that the student has lost his or her sense for the point of going to college. The student will, at least, get a zero for the assignment and the violation will be reported to the Dean of Students Office. The expectation is that the student will drop the class. Foundation: Philosophy and Literature This course fulfills a foundation general education requirement for the philosophy and literature. Here is what the catalogue says about such classes: Literary and philosophical works represent an ongoing conversation about the fundamental ideas and values that shape cultures and civilization. To participate fully in this conversation requires knowledge both of those works that are recognized as defining the history of the conversation, and of works that offer original or critical additions to it in the present. Through the study of great works of Philosophy and Literature, students will come to understand more clearly their own response to the world and to the ideas that give it form and comprehensibility. Courses in this category will introduce students to the interpretation of a significant body of literary or philosophical work, and assist them in the careful reading, discussion, and analysis of primary texts. Content Goals All courses in the Philosophy and Literature category include the following content: 1. The introduction of philosophy or literature as a "way of knowing"; an examination of principles and questions that define the field and its contributions to human knowledge and civilization; 2. A consideration of the relationship between the works discussed, the cultures in which they were created, and the human concerns they illuminate; 3. The critical analysis and interpretation of one or more primary texts as a major portion of course content. Skills Goals All courses in a Foundation use teaching methods that help students become more proficient in the following skills: 1. Written communication. 2. Ethical Reasoning. (The State of Michigan requires me to inform you that in case the building is on fire, you should leave it.) Grade Breakdown: Participation: 20% Four Papers: 40% Two tests: 20% Final Exam: 20% If you have disabilities that require special accommodation you should speak to Prof. Vessey as soon as possible at the start of the term.

3 WEEK 1: 1. Jan 11 Introductions 2. Jan 13 Plato s Apology (Blackboard) 3. Jan 15 Plato s Apology (Blackboard) WEEK 2: Jan 18 No Class 4. Jan 20 Aristotle Teleological Theories of Ethics Reading: Nicomachean Ethics Bk 1, 1094a1-1097a14 5. Jan 22 Aristotle The Human Function Reading: Nicomachean Ethics Bk. 1, 1097a a4 WEEK 3: 6. Jan 25 Aristotle Virtues and Habits Reading: Nicomachean Ethics Bk. 2, 1103a b28 7. Jan 27 Aristotle The Conditions of Virtue Reading: Nicomachean Ethics Bk. 3, 1109b a14 8. Jan 29 Aristotle Friendship Reading: Nicomachean Ethics Bk 8, 1155a4-1159b24 WEEK 4: 9. Feb. 1 Aristotle The Best Life Reading: Nicomachean Ethics Bk 10, 1172a b Feb. 3 Paper #1 Due 11. Feb. 5 Hobbes Background/The Scientific Method Reading: Leviathan Hobbes Intro., Pt. I: Chp. I-IV WEEK 5: 12. Feb. 8 Hobbes Passions, Good/Evil and Consequentialist Theories of Ethics Reading: Leviathan Pt I: Chp. VI, XI 13. Feb. 10 Hobbes The State of Nature Reading: Leviathan Pt. I: Chp. XIII 14. Feb. 12 Hobbes Justice & Laws of Nature Reading: Leviathan Pt. I: Chp. XIV, XV WEEK 6: 15. Feb. 15 Hobbes The Commonwealth Reading: Leviathan Pt. II: Chp. XVII, XVIII

4 16. Feb. 17 Hobbes The Liberties of the Citizens Reading: Leviathan Pt II: Chp. XXI 17. Feb. 19 Test 1 WEEK 7: 18. Feb. 22 Paper #2 Due 19. Feb. 24 Kant The Good Will Reading: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Feb. 26 Kant Having a Moral Duty Reading: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, 9-15 WEEK 8: 21. Feb 29 Kant Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives Reading: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Mar 2 Kant Applying the Categorical Imperative Reading: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Mar 4 No Class Spring Break WEEK 9: 24. Mar 14 Kant Dignity and Freedom Reading: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Mar.16. Sartre Existentialist Ethics Reading: Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism 26. Mar 18 Beauvoir Existentialism and Feminism Reading: The Second Sex, Beauvoir s Introduction WEEK 10: 27. Mar 21 Beauvoir Biological differences and moral differences Reading: The Second Sex, Vol I, Chp. I 28. Mar 23 Paper #3 Due 29. Mar 25 Beauvoir Woman s Situation and Character Reading: The Second Sex, Vol. II, Chp. 10 WEEK 11: 30. Mar 28 Beauvoir The Woman in Love Reading: The Second Sex, Vol. II, Chp Mar 30 Beauvoir The Independent Woman Reading: The Second Sex, Vol. II, Chp Apr 1 Beauvoir Conclusion Reading: The Second Sex, Conclusion

5 WEEK 12: 33. Apr 4 Ta-Nehisi Coates 34. Apr 6 Ta-Nehisi Coates 35. Apr 8 Ta-Nehisi Coates Reading: Between the World and Me, 5-39 Reading: Between the World and Me, Reading: Between the World and Me, WEEK 13: 36. Apr 11 Test Apr 13 Paper #4 Due 38. Apr 15 TBD WEEK 14: 39. Apr 18 TBD 40. Apr 20 TBD 41. Apr 22 Evals/Review for Final Exam FINAL EXAM