HCC: PHI130 Ethics

Course Description

Introduces students to critically examine philosophical principles related to moral action and political values. 

Put more plainly: 

What is the right thing to do? What should a good person be like? What determines right and wrong, good and bad, virtuous and vicious? This course will consider three immensely influential moral theories: Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Aristotelian Virtue Ethics. 

We will evaluate four historical contributions to the philosophical understanding of morality:

• Greek Philosophy,

• Medieval Philosophy,

• Enlightenment Philosophy,

• Modern and Contemporary Philosophy.

In addition, consider a few reasons-based morality challenges: 

• Ethics – it is all relative?

• Does religion determine morality and not reason?

• How can ethical theories solve contemporary issues?

Application of Theory to Issues

• Capital punishment

• Euthanasia

• Abortion

• Environmental ethics

We will explore moral and ethical issues to see how they fit into contemporary life: (but not limited to) Abortion and Euthanasia, Human Medical Enhancements, Gay and Lesbian Rights, Animal Liberation and Environmental Justice, Punishment and Responsibility, War, Torture, and Terrorism.

Course Competence, Outcomes, and Major Assignments

Upon completion of this course, the student can:

• Demonstrate an awareness of the contributions made to ethical theory from the history of philosophical ethicists, such as Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, Aquinas, Kant, Mill, Rawls, etc.

• Recognize and evaluate basic patterns of ethical evaluation, such as utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, etc.

• Recognize and evaluate alternative positions on core moral issues through disciplined critical thought.

• Develop the ability to write and converse respectfully and critically about complex and controversial topics.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will be able to: 

• Describe and distinguish key philosophical ethical theories in the main subfields of philosophy, including concepts such as Virtues, Utilitarianism, and Deontology. 

• Read and comprehend philosophical arguments in Modern Ethics 

• Explain and defend a position on basic philosophical and ethical problems. 

• Write clear and concise explanations and arguments about basic philosophical moral problems. 

• Explain and defend a position on fundamental philosophical problems.

• Write clear and concise explanations and arguments about basic philosophical issues.