INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS Louisiana State University Philosophy 2020, Section 2 Tues., Thurs., 9:10-10:30 Emily Cogburn, instructor Office Hours: M, W 11:30-12:30, Coates 315 (until further notice) e-mail: When emailing me, please let me know the course and section you are taking: [email protected] (that's a one not an L). Web site: www.geocities.com/cogburn83 About the course: In this course, we will talk about ethics, the study of morality or what we ought to do. We will explore different ethical theories, which are supposed to help us figure out the right thing to do. Maybe the right thing to do is what will produce the most happiness or maybe doing our duty is the most important thing. We will discuss the merits of and problems with each major kind of ethical theory. Both doing the assigned reading and coming to class are absolute necessities in this course. Below I have listed each class period and the required reading for that day. You are required to do the reading indicated for that class period before coming to class. Reading philosophy is not like reading fiction for fun. You may find you have to read something more than once and think about it before you understand it fully. This is especially true of the selections at the end of each chapter. Try reading the assignment and then writing in your own words what you think the author is saying and don't be afraid to read something more than once or even a few times! I do not use Blackboard since there have been problems with it in the past. You are responsible for checking my website at www.geocities.com/cogburn83 for updates to the syllabus and important information throughout the semester. You also must access the web site to complete assignments. You are responsible for coming to class to receive grades on all tests. I will not post the grades to my web site (a violation of privacy) or email them to you. Final and midterm grades are available through Banner (the same way you registered for the class) or by mail. I cannot email midterm or final grades. Policies: Talking (except during class discussion), reading, cell phone usage, and electronic games are distracting to both instructor and students and will not be allowed during class time. Academic dishonesty (cheating and plagiarism) may take various forms, including copying other students' work, copying from the text or other sources, and using cheat sheets during exams. None of them will be tolerated in this course. I am required to report any incidents of suspected academic dishonesty to the Dean of Students. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the rules and regulations of this university. You may find these in the Student Handbook on LSU's website. Attendance will be taken at the end of class. If you do not sign the roll, you will be marked absent. You must present a doctor's excuse (or similar documentation) in order to have an absence excused. Make-ups on exams will only be given in the case of excused absences (doctor's note etc.) All make-up exams will be in short answer format (unlike the exams given at scheduled exam times). For exams, one make-up time may be scheduled with the instructor (at her discretion). If you fail to keep this appointment, another will not be scheduled. LSU and I are dedicated to making reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should notify Disability Services to make use of the available resources. Required texts: You must acquire the textbooks for this course. It is available in the LSU bookstore, Co-op, and Chimes Textbook exchange and also from www.amazon.com, www.bn.com, and www.half.com. It will be impossible to pass the class without it.   The following texts are required: Ethical Theory: A Concise Anthology edited by Heimir Giersso and Margaret R. Holmgren published by Broadview Press. ISBN 1551112922   The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 5th Edition by James Rachels, published by McGraw Hill ISBN 9780073125473 Grading: Keeping track of your grade in the class is your responsibility. If you are worried about whether I received an assignment or if you have a documented excuse for missing a class period or assignment, please feel free to contact me. However, I will return all tests and assignments, so you will be able to figure out your current grade or what you need to get on a test or assignment to get a certain grade in the class. You should also keep track of your own attendance record as well.   Students have informed me in the past that they cannot figure out their grade when I tell them an assignment is worth a certain percentage of the final grade. With that in mind, I have devised a new (and entirely equivalent) system based on points instead (though each can, of course, be converted to the other- something you should learn to do for your own knowlege). There will be 700 total points in the class (or 100%). Each assignment etc. will be worth a certain number of points toward this total. If you want to know what grade you have at any given time, you will have to convert to percentages, however, it should be fairly simple to see what you need to make on your tests etc. to get a certain grade.   Final grades will be calculated as follows: Attendance: 100 points. Each class period is worth 3 particiation points, so if you miss one class, you lose 3 points. This may leave us a few points short of 100, but I'll add whatever extra there is to everyone's grade. This includes test days and the days of midterms and finals, but not holidays. You must sign the roll to receive particiation credit for that day.   Tests: 400 points. There will be 4 tests, each worth 100 points. All tests will be consist of short answer, multiple choice, and essay questions (except for make-up exams which will be all short answer and essay). Tests cannot be made up without a documented excuse. Tests cannot be retaken after the next test has been given. If I allow you to reschedule a test and you do not show up, you have forfited your right to take that test.   Paper: 100 points. The topic for the 3-5 page paper will be announced in class and posted on my web site. Papers turned in late (without a documented excuse) will be worth 1/2 credit maximum. I will not accept emailed papers. They must be printed out and brought to class. No papers will be accepted after the last day of class.   Total: 600 points (100%) A- 600-540 (100-90%) B- 534-480 (89-80%) C- 474-420 (79-70%) D- 414-360 (69-60%)   As you can see, the grading scale is now very simple. To find your grade at any given time, just add up your scores on the things we have done (tests, paper- don't forget particiation) and then divide by the number of tests, etc.   Schedule:   Jan. 16-18 Chapter 1: What is Morality, p. 1-15 (Rachels) Chapter 2: The Challenge of Cultural Relativism, p. 1-34(Rachels)   Jan. 23-25 Chapter 2: The Challenge of Cultural Relativism, p. 1-34 (Rachels) Chapter 1: Ethical Relativism: Introduction and Selections from Folkways p. 1-11 (Geirsson)   Jan. 30-Feb. 1 Chapter 3: Subjectivism in Ethics, p. 35-51 (Rachels) Chapter 1: Ethical Relativism: Relativism and Objectivity in Ethics by William H. Shaw, p. 12-31 (Geirsson)   Feb. 6 Chapter 3: Subjectivism in Ethics, p. 35-51 (Rachels) Chapter 1: Ethical Relativism: Relativism and Objectivity in Ethics by William H. Shaw, p. 12-31 (Geirsson)   Feb. 8 Test 1   Feb. 13-15 Chapter 4: Does Morality Depend on Religion?, p. 52-67 (Rachels) Chapter 2: Divine Command Theory: Introduction, The Euthyphro, The Story of Abraham, p. 33-55 (Geirsson)   Feb. 20 Mardi Gras Holiday   Feb. 22 Chapter 2: Divine Command Theory: Introduction, The Euthyphro, The Story of Abraham, p. 33-55 (Geirsson) Chapter 5: Ethical Egoism, p. 68-88 (Rachels)     Feb. 27-Mar. 1 Chapter 5: Ethical Egoism, p. 68-88 (Rachels) Chapter 3: Egoism, Introduction, The Myth of Gyges by Plato, Egoism and Moral Skepticism by James Rachels, p. 57-79 (Geirsson)   Mar. 6 Test 2 Midterms   Mar. 8 Chapter 6: The Utilitarian Approach, p. 89-99 (Rachels) Chapter 4: Consequentialism: Introduction, Selection from Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill, p. 81-105 (Geirsson)   Mar. 13-15 Chapter 6: The Utilitarian Approach, p. 89-99 (Rachels) Chapter 4: Consequentialism: Introduction, Selection from Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill, p. 81-105 (Geirsson) Chapter 7: The Debate over Utilitarianism, p. 100-116 (Rachels) Chapeter 4: Consequentialism: The Experience Machine by Robert Nozick, p. 106-108 (Geirsson)   Mar. 20-22 Chapter 7: The Debate over Utilitarianism, p. 100-116 (Rachels) Chapeter 4: Consequentialism: The Experience Machine by Robert Nozick, p. 106-108 (Geirsson)   Mar. 27 Test 3   Mar. 29 Chapter 8: Are there Absolute Moral Rules, p. 117-129 (Rachels)   April 2-7 Spring Break   April 10-12 Chapter 8: Are there Absolute Moral Rules, p. 117-129 (Rachels) Chapter 9: Kant and Respect for Persons, p. 130-140 (Rachels)   April 17 Chapter 5: Deontology: Introduction, p. 110-112, What Makes Acts Right by W.D. Ross, p. 142-165 (Geirsson)   April 19 Chapter 10: The Idea of a Social Contract (Rachels) Paper Due   April 24-26 Chapter 10: The Idea of a Social Contract (Rachels) Chapter 12: The Ethics of Virtue (Rachels)   May 1-3 Chapter 12: The Ethics of Virtue (Rachels) Chapter 7: Virtue Ethics, Introduction, Selections from Nichomachean Ethics, On Some Vices of Virtue Ethics by Robert B. Louden   May 11 7:30-9:30am Final Exam (Test 4)