Critical Thinking & Ethics: 2021

Alfredo Triff, Ph.D., Philosophy,
(math enthusiast, student-shrink, parodist, cook, music lover, cigar puffer, aurilophile, hedonist), Room 3604-28 (Building #3, 6th floor), email: atriff@mdc.edu
Office Hours: Posted

The purpose of this course is twofold: to prepare students with critical thinking tools, methods & strategies, while exploring Ethics as a philosophical discipline.

Textbook for the course appears in the PDF post above: Ethics: A Pluralistic Approach to Moral Theory, by Lawrence Hinman.

I propose that we take about one-third of the semester for the Critical Thinking part and the rest of of the semester for the Ethics part.

Final point breakdown: 2 exams, a midterm and a final (20 points each) + homeworks about 5 (25 points), final paper (10 points) + attendance (25 points). the breakdown represents a qualitative approximation (my grades are somewhat curved).

Attendance is mandatory. This is an ONLINE not blended, COURSE. the routine of attendance is simple. I call attendance at the beginning of each class. If a student fails to answer (& doesn't appear in my student list) that student is absent. If the student comes to class after I start teaching, that's considered a tardy. I will fix tardy issues ONLY at the end of the class.

Schedule (approximate)

Chapter 1
Why Study Ethics?
The Moral Point of View
What to Expect from a Moral Theory

Chapter 2
Ethical Relativism
Ethical Absolutism
Ethical Pluralism
Responding to Moral Conflict

Chapter 4
Psychological Egoism
Ethical Egoism
The Truth in Ethical Egoism

Chapter 5
Defining Utility
How Much Utility Is Enough?
Consequences of What?

Chapter 3
Diversity of Religious Traditions
Religious Belief and Moral Rules
The Role of Religion in the Moral Life

Chapter 6
The Ethics of Duty
Universalizability and the Categorical Imperative
Respect and Using People
What Does It Mean to Use Other Persons Merely as Means?

Chapter 9
Character and Human Flourishing
The Structure of Virtues
Courage, Compassion & Self-Love

Chapter 7
Rights: Some Initial Distinctions
The Justification of Natural Rights
Moral Rights
What Rights Do We Have?

I reserve the right to make changes in the order or chapters, provided I let you know in advance.

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1. Late assignments (a week, more than a week after deadline) will receive a penalty of a fraction of a point at the instructor discretion. Not turning assignments in time retards and obstruct a normal, healthy pace of learning.

2. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each the class. It there are discrepancies, due to connective issues, the instructor may grant (attendance, excuse, tardy), but not after two weeks after such disputed date.

3. I will grant privileges only to students who present proper COVID19 related documentation. If a student is present to an ONLINE class they are supposed to attend LIVE, the instructor reserves the right to mark that student absent.