THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO

LONDON CANADA

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY 2002-03 COURSE OUTLINE

Philosophy 201G (002): Introduction to Ethics and Value Theory

Instructor: Professor T. Isaacs, TC 435, 661-2111, ext. 85765

E-mail: tisaacs@uwo.ca

Classes: Mondays 9-11 a.m, Wednesdays 9-10 a.m.

Office hours: Mondays 11 a.m. to noon., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.,

and by appointment.

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Please read and follow the list of Philosophy Department procedures on the back of this outline. Students are responsible for being aware of and following these procedures.

The course will introduce students to several fundamental issues in ethical theory, both at the normative and the meta-ethical level. Moral philosophy is the systematic endeavour to understand moral concepts and justify moral principles and theories. We shall critically evaluate the views in classical and contemporary sources. Questions to be addressed include: Why be moral? Are there objective moral facts or is morality all relative? What makes right acts right? Are there any actions that are wrong no matter what the consequences? What, if anything, is intrinsically good? What is the connection between morality and the good life?

We’ll be covering a range of topics. Readings will be assigned in amounts reasonable enough for students to meet the expectation that they will complete a careful study of the relevant material before each class. The emphasis will be on the validity and soundness of the philosophical arguments given for the views under discussion. You will be evaluated on your ability to reconstruct arguments accurately, to explain relevant terms clearly, to provide additional independent, coherent and reasoned justification for the views you express, as well as to assess critically the arguments of the philosophers that we study.

Requirements: (1) Short paper (4-5 pages, 25%) due Feb. 5; (2) Longer paper (6-7 pages, 35%) due April 2; (3) final examination (3 hours, 40%) during exam period (April 11-30, date, time and location tba). Please note that you must complete all of the written assignments to pass this course. Regular attendance throughout the term is expected.

Required Readings:

1. Moral Philosophy: A Reader, 2^nd Edition, Louis Pojman, editor (Hackett, 1998), available from the UWO Bookstore (you may also find some used copies in the Used Bookstore).

2. Coursepack of additional readings, available from Inprint in the UCC.

A detailed schedule of readings will be distributed on the first class meeting.

THIS OUTLINE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH SUFFICIENT PRIOR NOTICE.