Dr. James Hatley
Office: Philosophy House, downstairs in the back
Office Hours: MWF, 10:00-10:50 a.m.
Phone: Office, 410-677-5072; Home, 410-543-7635

In ethics we find the human heart of philosophy. For in living our lives we must act, and in acting we are immediately put into question concerning the significance and goodness of how we comport ourselves. How should each of us choose to live her or his particular life? And in doing so how should each of us respond to all those other beings--both human and more than human--with whom we share the earth? We face these two daunting questions every day as we go through the most "insignificant" of actions--greeting a stranger, driving an automobile, going out on a date, responding to the questions and ideas of our friends. And at times the most crucial decisions of our existence are fraught with ethical implications--remaining faithful to one's spouse, telling a difficult truth, owning up to the harm one has caused another, helping another to die a good death. In wrestling with the meaning of living an ethical life, we will focus on the following philosophical issues: a) The Significance of Being a Moral Person; b) Some Theories of Moral Judgment; c) Virtue Ethics; d) Anger and Punishment; e) Morality and the Other; f) Friendship and Cultural Difference

FILMS:
The Official Story
The Accused

2 Long Response Papers 50%
1 Short Response Paper 10%
2 Class Presentations 15%
Final Paper 25%

Response Papers: Two of these papers consist of a minimum of 2+ pages double-spaced and typed. A third will be limited to one page. Please, no handwritten papers! (Alas, I am going blind as it is.) You will be given a question in relationship to an assigned reading which you will respond to. A response is not simply writing out your own opinion. It consists of making clear a) what the articles we have discussed in class have argued in relation to a specific issue and then b) whether you agree with that argument and why. Saying why you think something is true means you must give reasons for your position.

Class Presentation: Your presentation requires that you come up with and respond to three questions for the reading you serve as the class expert.  Each response to each question should be at least a paragraph in length. The questions should be ones you found crucial in understanding the argument of that article. During the class of the day of your presentation, you are in particular responsible for promoting discussion of the text in question. Missing class on the day your article is presented means you receive an F.

Final Paper: This will involve your using the novel Ceremony in order to develop an analysis of the virtue of friendship..

Class Participation: In-class writing assignments, as well as class discussions, are important elements of this course. Your performance here will be a fuzzy factor in the determination of your final grade. Outstanding performance will help marginal grades move upward.

Class Attendance: You will be allowed three full absences, whether they be excused or unexcused. After that your grade will go down ½ grade point for every absence recorded.

(All page numbers refer to Virtuous Persons, Vicious Deeds)

A. THE STUNNING IMPORTANCE OF BEING RESPONSIBLE

WEEKS ONE and TWO (1/27-29-31, 2/3-5-7): Confronting Official Stories during "The Dirty War"

    Film: The Official Story
 
 

ADRIANA M. BOI     Disappeared May 12, 1978	RICARDO         GHIGLIAZZA     Disappeared 9/19/78
ARGENTINA	ARGENTINA
WebSite1 The Disappeared	WebSite2: The Disappeared

Reading: "From Cruelty to Goodness" (Handout)

Readings I: p. 3, "The Disparity between Intellect and Character"; p. 16, Dilemma's Case for Ethical Relativism"; p. 26 "The Morality of the Gene"; p. 60, "Relational Virtues."

 MY RESPONSIBILITY FOR SWEATSHOPS?

B.  WHICH CRITERIA ARE BEST FOR JUDGING MORAL ACTIONS?

WEEK FIVE (2/24-26-28): How do I Compute the Benefit and the Harm of my Actions?

    Readings II (Utilitarian): p. 79, "Hedonic Calculus"; p. 84, "The Debate over Utilitarianism"
    Example of Hedonic Calculus: Controlling Smallpox
    CLASS CASE STUDY:   Text

WEEK SIX (3/3-5-7):  Shouldn't I be Good Simply for the Sake of Being Good?

    Readings II: p. 96, "Good Will and Duty"; p. 106, "A Dialogue between Generations"
    Important Terms in Kant: Terms

WEEK SEVEN (3/10-12-14): Do Ethical Principles Change from Situation to Situation?

    Readings II: p. 118, "The Ethics of Ambiguity"

    Due 3/17: Questions and Answers on Readings II.

SPRING BREAK: March 24-28!!!!

C. VIRTUE ETHICS

WEEK NINE (3/31, 4/2-4):  Is Doing Good Enough, or Should I Be Good Too?

    Readings III: p. 133, Intro; p. 169, "Virtue and Moral Character"; p. 151, "Seven (and more) Deadly Sins"

D.  ANGER AND VENGEANCE

WEEKS TEN AND ELEVEN (4/7-9-11-14-16-18): Does Anger and Vengence Make Me a Better Person?

    Readings III: p. 263, "Vigilante"; p. 267, "Anger"; p. 278, "Anger"

    Film: The Accused.   Background Material

    Due 4/11: Second Response Paper  "Duty or Benefit: Which Principle is to be Preferred in the Case of Embryo
    Screening and Implantation?"  Second Response Paper

    Due 4/21:  3rd (Short) Response Paper

A) "In The Accused who is more morally blameworthy: those who harm or those who encouraged harm?  How is Sarah's anger an important element in the prosecution of those who encouraged harm"; or B) Do Hollywood Films Contribute to a Culture of Rape and is The Accused part of  the problem?  Third (Short) Response Paper

WEEK TWELVE (4/21-23-25): What About my Responsibilities to Others?

    Case Study:  p. 480, "In the Evening We will be Judged by Love"
    Readings III: p. 488, "Caring": p. 356, "Virtual Fidelity"; p. 365, "Letter on Marriage and Fidelity"; p. 523, "In Justice to
    Animals"; p. 603, "Relational Virtues"

WEEK THIRTEEN (4/28-30, 5/1) : Is Friendship the Greatest Virtue?

    Readings: p. 368, "Friendship";
    Lecture: Summary of Aristotle's Notion of Friendship

WEEK FOURTEEN (5/5-7-9):  The Experience of Friendship in another Cultural Context.

    Reading: Leslie Marmon Silko's CEREMONY Chronology of Events in the Novel
    Lecture and Discussion: Notions of Goodness in the Pueblo World View as Portrayed in Silko's Ceremony

    Due Finals Week: Final Response Paper: "Friendship in Silko's Ceremony." Final Response Paper
    Due Finals Week:  3rd Set of Questions and Answers

a) To reflect on the significance of moral responsibility.
b) To learn key elements in the various theories establishing ethical principles.
c) To construct and follow an argument in a discussion.
d) To follow an argument in a philosophical text.
e) To recognize the presuppositions one brings to a philosophical discussion and to reflect upon the worthiness of these presuppositions.
f) To use a philosophical position in order to understand and question your own and others' actions.
g) To write an organized and reflective argument that takes a philosophic position.

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