Phil 350 : Ethical Theory
( Fall 2011 )

Time : W  4:00 - 6:45 p.m.  /  Place: CH 320 
Professor : Dr. M. J. Seidler / Office: CH 322
Phone : 745-5756 / E-mail: michael.seidler@wku.edu
Office Hours : MWF 10:15 - 11:15 a.m., before/after class, & by appt.  

Catalog Description : A study of the major normative systems in the history of ethics, and of selected problems in contemporary metaethics, including moral reasoning, scepticism, obligation, and theories of justice. (Prerequisites: one course in philosophy, or permission of instructor.)

GenEd Declaration (the following statement is added to the syllabus at the request of the University) :  Phil 350: Ethical Theory aims to give students “an informed acquaintanceship with major achievements in the arts and humanities" and "a historical perspective and an understanding of connections between past and present."  It achieves these goals and objectives by studying the main ethical theories proposed in the history of philosophy, in their historical contexts, and then confronting them critically about their contemporary cogency and appeal. In covering these positions, instructors of the course: (i) use appropriate vocabulary and concepts for the description and critical analysis; (ii) identify important ideas and achievements in philosophy; (iii) analyze similarities, differences, and interrelationships among diverse works of philosophy that have been generated in multiple historical periods, cultures, and societies, including our own;(iv) evaluate the contribution of philosophical and ethical systems to human life; and (v) demonstrate a critical perspective on culture by studying other historical periods and other cultural traditions. These particular functions are essential to philosophy as an analytical and historical method of conceptual inquiry.

Course Texts : 

• Shafer-Landau, Fundamentals of Ethics, ed 2, Oxford UPr 2012, pb | ISBN 0-19-977355-6  [S-L] 
• Voorhoeve, Conversations on Ethics, Oxford UPr 2009, hb | ISBN 0-19-921537-5  [V] 
• Rawls, The Law of Peoples, Harvard UPr 1999, pb  |  ISBN 0-674-00542-2   [R] 
• Geuss, Philosophy & Real Politics, Princeton UPr, hb  | ISBN 0-691-13788-9  [G]

Assignments :

• #1 > theory construction (6-8 pp., 30 pts) :  integrated elaboration and defense of a comprehensive ethical perspective comprising a theory of  value (from Part I), a theory of obligation (Part II), and a metaethical outlook (from Part III) of Shafer-Landau  
• #2-3 > class presentation & guide (25 pts) : collaborative class presentation (10 pts) of one interview in Voorhoeve (assigned), including individually submitted prep/work-up sheets for prior distribution (3-4 pp., 15 pts) 
• #4 > comparative paper (10-12 pp., 35 pts) : critical assessment of Rawls' and Geuss' opposed positions, esp. as focused on international law
• #5 > class participation (10 pts) 

Attendance : Students are allowed a maximum of two (2) unexcused absences; every additional unexcused absence may affect your final  grade. Note that attendance and class participation are not identical: the former signifies presence of body, the latter presence of mind. 

Electronic resources :  Course Website  /  Blackboard  /  Research Tools  /  Publication & Presentation Opportunities

NOTE : Use of electronic gadgets during class must be approved by the professor in advance. Misuse will result in loss of priviledges;  repeated misuse will be sanctioned. 

SEMESTER SCHEDULE

MEETINGS	READINGS	TOPICS
Week 1 (Aug. 31)	S-L, Introd., chs. 1-2	ETHICAL THEORIES
Week 2 (Sept. 7)	S-L, chs. 3-4, 5-6
Week 3 (Sept. 14)	S-L, chs. 7-8, 9-10
Week 4 (Sept. 21)	S-L, chs. 11-12, 13-14
Week 5 (Sept. 28)	S-L, chs. 15-16, 17-18
Week 6 (Oct. 5)	[Fall Break : Oct. 6-9 / class in session ]  S-L, chs. 19-21
Week 7 (Oct. 12)	V, chs. 1-3  |  First Paper due   |   Class Presentations begin	MORALISTS EXAMINED
Week 8 (Oct. 19)	V, chs. 4-5
Week 9 (Oct. 26)	V, chs. 6-7  |
Week 10 (Nov. 2)	V, chs. 8-10
Week 11 (Nov. 9)	R, Parts I + II	LIBERAL INTERNATIONALISM (Rawls)
Week 12 (Nov. 16)	R, Parts III + IV, Public Reason revised
Week 13 (Nov. 23)	[ Thanksgiving Break : Nov. 23-27 / no class ]
Week 14 (Nov. 30)	G, Part I	THE REALIST CRITIQUE (Geuss)
Week 15 (Dec. 7)	G, Part II
Week 16 (Dec. 14)	[Finals Week]  Final Paper due : Fri Dec 18, 10 a.m.