Today we started working through these, among many other activities:

ABORTION: Abortion argument worksheet.See also my Powerpoint on abortion.

For Friday, start formulating the arguments on the sheet as logically valid arguments.  

CORRECTION, YES, WE WILL HAVE CLASS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

In my delirium, I thought today was Thursday (not Wednesday). So we will have class tomorrow and Friday, as usual.

For tomorrow, please read this, as well as review the work that was due today: http://www.iep.utm.edu/abortion/

Hi all,

Yesterday evening I accidentally dropped a brick on my toe. . .

So I'm going to cancel class for today so I can recuperate easier.

See you Friday. Today's assignment is due tomorrow and I will post a new reading and writing assignment today, asap.

Thanks, NN

FOR WEDNESDAY THE ASSIGNMENT IS ALL OF BELOW, SINCE WE DID NOT GET TO THIS ON TUESDAY:

For Tuesday, re-read the Feldman pages on simple moral arguments.

Make a list of at least 5 common reasons given to think that abortion is morally permissible, and at least 10 reasons given to think that abortion is wrong.

For Wednesday, read (1) in Rachels Elements of Moral Philosophy (DISTRIBUTED BY EMAIL), the chapter on morality and religion (Does Morality Depend on Religion?) and write a detailed summary of the entire chapter. Also, read Mary Anne Warren’s “The Moral and Legal Status of Abortion,” the link of which is available on the blog: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/warren-on-abortion.pdf

THIS IS ALSO AVAILABLE HERE, IN CASE THE LINK ABOVE DOESN'T WORK:
http://instruct.westvalley.edu/lafave/warren_article.html 

Since Wednesday’s assignment involves more reading and writing, you should start it today.

What we have been doing, in terms of making arguments logically valid and deciding whether they are sound, is structurally analogous to this:

Bob is a student at Morehouse.

All M students are good dancers / If someone is a M student, then he’s a good dancer.

Therefore, he’s a good dancer.

For Tuesday, re-read the Feldman pages on simple moral arguments.

Make a list of at least 5 common reasons given to think that abortion is morally permissible, and at least 10 reasons given to think that abortion is wrong.

For Wednesday, read (1) in Rachels Elements of Moral Philosophy, the chapter on morality and religion (Does Morality Depend on Religion?) and write a detailed summary of the entire chapter. Also, read Mary Anne Warren’s “The Moral and Legal Status of Abortion,” the link of which is available on the blog: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/warren-on-abortion.pdf

Since Wednesday’s assignment involves more reading and writing, you should start it today.

What we have been doing, in terms of making arguments logically valid and deciding whether they are sound, is structurally analogous to this:

Bob is a student at Morehouse.

All M students are good dancers / If someone is a M student, then he’s a good dancer.

Therefore, he’s a good dancer.

Today we started discussing the argument from The Singer Solution to World Poverty. The powerpoint we were using is here:

https://sites.google.com/site/aphilosopher/teaching

Your assignment for Monday is this:

1. Make a list of objections.

2. For the list of objections I gave you (a handout available here https://sites.google.com/site/aphilosopher/teaching) formulate them into logically valid arguments.

3. For each argument, explain whether it is sound or not.

1-3 must be turned in Monday.

Also, see this page: http://thetendollarclub.org/

For Friday, as stated in class, please re-read and ensure that you have completed the assignments below from yesterday.

For Thursday, please re-read the Singer article on poverty, assigned previously.

Also, read and write detailed summaries of these two short chapters by Rachels; these will need to be a number of pages each to address all the aspects of the readings in adequate detail:

Rachels, The Right Thing to Do (RTD: Ch. 2, “Some Basic Points About Arguments”: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/rachels-on-arguments.pdf

Rachels, The Right Thing to Do: Ch.1 “A Short Introduction to Moral Philosophy,” http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/rachels-intro-to-ethics.pdf
 

For Tuesday, please read The Singer Solution to World Poverty, available here:
http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/by/19990905.htm

Please write something that answers these questions, to be turned in Tuesday as well.
1. What is Singer's MAIN conclusion?
2. How does he support this conclusion? What are his premises?
3. What objections does he consider and respond to?
4. Are these objections sound arguments?
5. Is his argument sound?

Please do not read anything other than the article.

On Wednesday, we will have a quiz/test covering:
(a) all the concepts presented thus far;
(b) the skill of making arguments logically valid;
(c) the skill of identifying whether arguments are sound or not.

STUDY GROUP(S) ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED!

Hi ya'll,

Class was cancelled today due to the power being out because of the storm.

For tomorrow, I want you to review ALL the handouts and assigned readings from the class thus. I want you to make a review sheet that lists and explains all the concepts we have covered in the course so far. Bring it to class tomorrow in hardcopy. 

See you tomorrow!

NN

For Wednesday, please complete at least 10 of the arguments from the worksheet given out in class:
http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/homosexuality-arguments.pdf 
Add the premise(s) needed to state them as logically valid arguments. Then explain whether they are sound or not, by developing counterexamples as needed.

You should review all assigned readings and class notes to review the relevant concepts. 

This, like all other homework, will be turned in and graded.

Hi,
For Tuesday, please read the attached on "Simple Moral Arguments" which I distributed in class.

Also, please do this:
1. Make a list of at least 10 reasons given to think that homosexuality is wrong.
2. Then formulate that list as logically valid arguments. That is, add the premise(s) needed to state the argument in logically valid form.

See you Tuesday!
NN

Schedule

There already are some schedule changes. Here is the immediate plan:


1. Thursday: please watch John Corvino's "What Morally Wrong With Homosexuality?" video. A link for the preview is on the syl and/or you can just google him. Watch the main program and then the Q & Q, please.

Detailed notes on this video are due in class Monday.

2. Friday: please start watching Sicko. This relates to important social issues.

Detailed notes on this video are due in class Monday.

3. For Monday, please write a detailed summary of Elements of Moral Philosophy chapter 1. It is available online; link off the syl. Write it so detailed that it could be used as a "cheat sheet" on a test covering that chapter!

Logic and Arguments

Here is a little logic handout:
http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/arguments.pdf
And some sample arguments:
https://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/sample-arguments.pdf

Summer Syllabus

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
- Martin Luther King Jr. ,‘48

INTRO TO ETHICS, SUMMER 2011, SYLLABUS

SYLLABUS in PDF, which retains the formatting CORRECTED

AVAILABLE WITH LINKS HERE:

http://philosophy302.blogspot.com

Course announcements will be posted at that page as well.

Summer 2011: Intro to Philosophical Ethics  (HPHI-302G-01 - 40118)

Instructor: Nathan M. Nobis, Ph.D., nathan.nobis@gmail.com, www.NathanNobis.com Term: Summer 2011 Office: Philosophy & Religion Department, Sale Hall 113 Office Hours: before and after class and by appointment.   Morehouse College Campus; Lecture Schedule Type; 3.000 Credits;   Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 10:30 am - 11:50 am MTWRF Sale Hall 110 Jun 07, 2010 – Jul 6, 2010 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)

Catalogue Description: Provides an introduction to philosophical reflection about the nature and function of morality. Readings will include both historical and contemporary materials.

Extended Description: This course provides students with the opportunity to improve their skills at reasoning critically about moral issues. Students will learn some basic logic and critical thinking skills and apply them to theoretical and practical questions about morality. We will practice identifying precise and unambiguous moral conclusions (i.e., exact perspectives taken on moral issues) and the reasons given for and against these conclusions. We will then practice evaluating these reasons to see if they provide rational support for these conclusions or not. We will think about what helps people think more carefully and critically about moral issues and what factors and influences discourage this. We will discuss influential ethical theories and moral principles – answers to the questions ‘What’s the basic difference between a right and wrong action?’ and ‘What makes right actions right and wrong actions wrong?’ – and apply our critical thinking skills to moral issues such as female genital mutilation, homosexuality, abortion, famine and absolute poverty, racism, sexism, and speciesism, vegetarianism and the treatment of animals, euthanasia and assisted suicide, capital punishment, affirmative action, civil disobedience, and environmentalism, among others.

PREREQUISITES:

There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, students will benefit most from the course when they enter it with the abilities to:

1. read critically and identify the structure and components of an argumentative essay or passage, i.e., the conclusion(s), the premises(s) or supporting elements, and so forth;
2. write clear, concise and simple grammatical, spelling-error-free sentences and well-organized expository and argumentative essays, as taught in Introductory English courses;
3. speak clearly, concisely, and grammatically.

Basic mathematical and scientific literacy is desirable.
Familiarity with moral issues, common positions taken on them and reasons given in favor of these positions is desirable, since we will build on any previous understanding.
Intellectual and moral virtues, such as curiosity, patience, and openness to the possibility of error and the need for change, are desirable as well.

OBJECTIVES:

Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to use the set of argument analysis skills below to identify and evaluate moral arguments:

1. identify whether any presentation (“text”) is “morally argumentative” or not, i.e., whether it presents an argument for a moral conclusion on a moral issue or not;
2. identify conclusions of morally argumentative presentations, evaluate these conclusions for clarity and precision, and (if needed) reconstruct / restate the conclusion in clear and precise terms;
3. identify stated premises or reasons in morally argumentative presentations, evaluate these conclusions for clarity and precision, and (if needed) reconstruct / restate these premises in clear and precise terms;
4. identify (if needed) unstated premises in argumentative presentations that are logically essential to the structure of an argument and state them as part of the argument in clear and precise terms;
5. identify and distinguish factual/empirical/scientific and moral/philosophical premises in moral arguments;
6. evaluate moral arguments as (1) logically valid or invalid (or otherwise logically cogent) and (2) sound or unsound (or otherwise strong);
7. identify and explain reasons given to think an argument is sound, reasons to think it is unsound (often using counterexamples to general moral premises), and responses to these reasons.
   
   

Students will be able to accurately explain historically influential moral theories and common arguments against them, in light of their implications, explanatory power and theoretical virtues and vices.

Students will be able to accurately explain (in essays and oral presentations) the most common arguments given on a number of controversial moral issues, from a variety of perspectives, and criticisms of these arguments.

Required textbook: James and Stuart Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 6^th Ed. [Elements]. Any edition will do. http://www.jamesrachels.org/EMP.htm

Requirements and grading:

• Come to class and be on time. Attendance will be taken. You are allowed one unexcused absence. Any further unexcused absences will reduce your final grade by 2 points from your overall grade per absence. Tardiness will result in a final grade reduction as well.
• Do the reading and writing assignments on time, according to the schedule below, which is subject to change, if necessary to achieve educational goals and objectives. Late assignments will lose one point per day late, starting from after the beginning of class. (That is, since writings are due at the beginning of class, if you turn it in in the afternoon, it will be counted late.)

8 writing assignments, 5 points each                  = 40 points total                        Students with perfect attendance will have 5 points added to their overall grade.        

2 exams / quizzes, 20 points each                      = 40 points                   Students with unexcused absences will lose points on their overall grade. 

TOTAL POINTS                                     = 80 points                   There may be some extra credit opportunities; they will be announced later.

Calendar:

Monday	April 12-16, 2010	Web Registration Begins/Ends
Monday	6-Jun-11	Official Registration
Tuesday	7-Jun-11	First Day of Class
Friday	10-Jun-11	End Drop/Add
Saturday	11-Jun-11	Withdrawal Period Begins
Saturday	22-Jan-11	Withdrawal Period Begins
Wednesday-Friday	June 22-24, 2011	Mid-term Week
Monday	4-Jul-11	Independence Day Holiday
Thursday-Friday	July 7-8, 2011	Reading Period
Thursday-Friday	July 7-8, 2011	Senior Final Exams
Monday-Wednesday	July 11-13, 2011	Final Exams
Monday	13-Jul-11	Senior Grades due by Noon
Monday-Friday	July 11-15, 2011	Senior Week
Friday	15-Jul-11	Semester Ends
Tuesday	19-Jul-11	All Final Grades due by Noon

Course schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
	JUNE 7 - Classes start	JUNE 8	JUNE 9	JUNE 10 –
	Day 1 ·         Introductions ·         Overview of Course ·         Overview of Logic & Arguments http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/arguments.pdf http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/validargumentforms.pdf ·         Overview of Basic Moral Evaluations:  Permissible, Obligatory, Impermissible/Wrong o        See pp. 3, 5-8; also discusses logic and moral theories: https://sites.google.com/site/ethicsandanimals/EthicsandAnimalsLecturesDiscussionQuestionsAssigments.pdf ·         Overview of Moral Theories, i.e., Hypotheses for what makes actions permissible, obligatory or wrong. o        See above.	Day 2 Review and practice concepts from day 1. For Thursday, read Elements Ch. 1. “What is Morality?” (available online if you don’t yet have the book: http://goo.gl/TZoEG Writing assignment 1, due Thursday, beginning of class (2 pages): (1) Identify the possible conclusions regarding what should or should not be done regarding the various cases and the reasons given for and against these conclusions. (2) Summarize how Rachels thinks you should try to think about moral issues, what methods you should use.	Day 3 Wednesday’s Writing Assignment due Discuss Elements Ch. 1. and all assignment materials from day 1 For Friday, read: Elements, Ch. 2. “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” Writing assignment 2, due Friday: what is “female circumcision” / “female genital mutilation”? What are some arguments that it is wrong? What are arguments that it is permissible? (2 pages) Note: research on Youtube and using Google is encouraged for this topic.	Day 4 End Drop/Add period Discuss Elements, Ch. 2. Topics: cultural relativism; female genital mutilation; “polyamory” (Google that term) Reading for Tuesday: Elements, Ch. 3. “Subjectivism in Ethics” Writing assignment 3, due Thursday, June 17 (3-4 pages): What are all the most common reasons to think homosexuality is wrong? What is an argument that homosexuality is morally permissible? Are any of these reasons part of sound arguments that homosexuality is wrong?

JUNE 13	JUNE 14	JUNE 15	JUNE 16	JUNE 17
Day 5 Withdrawal period begins Video, in class: What’s morally wrong with homosexuality? John Corvino, www.TheGayMoralist.com Watch the main presentation and the “bonus” questions and answers .	Day 6 Discuss Ch. 3 and the arguments regarding homosexuality. Richard Feldman on “Simple Moral Arguments”: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/feldman-simple-moral-arguments.pdf Argument worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/homosexuality-arguments.pdf	Day 7 In class: “logic lab” on homosexuality arguments. Complete the worksheet. Identity all the premises needed to make the arguments valid. Explain whether any of these arguments are sound or not. AND Peer review / discuss your papers – plans for papers – due Thursday. Assignment previously given on Friday.	Day 8 Writing assignment 3 due. Reading assignment: Elements, Ch. 4. “Does Morality Depend on Religion?” Writing assignment 4, due Friday: Summarize the arguments given for and against abortion that Rachels discusses.	Day 9 Writing assignment 4 due. Discuss abortion. Fred Feldman on abortion: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/fred_feldman_on_abortion.pdf Argument worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/abortion-worksheet.pdf
JUNE 20	JUNE 21	JUNE 22 - Midterm Week	JUNE 23 - Midterm Week	JUNE 24 - Midterm Week
Day 10 In class: “logic lab” on abortion arguments. Complete the worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/abortion-worksheet.pdf Identity all the premises needed to make the arguments valid. Explain whether any of these arguments are sound or not.	Day 11 Discuss abortion. Argument worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/abortion-worksheet.pdf A PowerPoint for lecture / discussion: http://sites.google.com/site/aphilosopher/abortion-talk.ppt	Day 12 Video: Peter Singer, “A Dangerous Mind?” Read Elements, Ch. 5, “Ethical Egoism” for Thursday: Writing assignment 5, Due Thursday: Please write a 2-3 page summary of the chapter that would be understood by someone who has not read the book. Poverty Argument worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/poverty-arguments.pdf	Day 13 Writing Assignment 5 due. Video: 60 Minutes on Peter Singer A PowerPoint for lecture / discussion: http://sites.google.com/site/aphilosopher/famine.ppt Poverty Argument worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/poverty-arguments.pdf “The Ten Dollar Club, Saving the World $10 at a Time”: http://www.thetendollarclub.org/	Day 14  Midterm Exam / Quiz A study guide will be provided!
JUNE 27	JUNE 28	JUNE 29	JUNE 30	JULY 1
Day 15 Read: Elements Ch. 6, “The Idea of the Social Contract”  Read out loud and discuss “A Call for Unity” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Call_For_Unity and MLK’s response, "Letter from the Birmingham City Jail," Martin Luther King, Jr.  http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_from_Birmingham_Jail Writing project 6: In groups of 3 or 4, identify MLK’s arguments: his conclusions and his reasons for them. Are any of his arguments unsound?	Day 16 Turn in writing project 6. Each student turns in his or her own writing. Read: Elements, Ch. 7 & 8, “The Utilitarian Approach” and “The Debate Over Utilitarianism” Writing assignment 7, Due Thursday: Please write a 2-3 page (each) summaries of the chapters that would be understood by someone who has not read the book. Discuss Euthanasia “One Nurse’s Story,” http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/one_nurses_story.pdf	Day 17 Watch film on ethics and animals: Title TBA. Perhaps “The Witness” or “Peaceable Kingdom” available here: http://www.tribeofheart.org/	Day 18 Writing assignment 7, Due Thursday: In class, read: “Reasonable Humans and Animals,” John Simmons: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/veg.pdf Argument worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/veg-responses.pdf	Day 19 Last day to Withdraw Discuss animals issues and arguments

JULY 4	JULY 5	JULY 6	JULY 7 -	JULY 8 -
Day 20 NO CLASS: 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY	Day 21 Read: Elements Ch. 9 & 10, “Are there absolute moral rules?” and “Kant and Respect for Persons” Writing assignment 8, Due Thursday: Please write a 2-3 page (each) summaries of the chapters that would be understood by someone who has not read the book. Discuss issues of these chapters.	Day 22 Discuss issues of these chapters.	READING PERIOD / SENIOR EXAMS	READING PERIOD / SENIOR EXAMS FINAL EXAM – STUDY GUIDE WILL BE PROVIDED Extra credit summary: Elements, Ch. 13, “What would a satisfactory moral theory be like?”
JULY 12 –	JULY 13 –	JULY 14 –
final exams ; Senior grades due by noon	final exams	final exams FINAL EXAM – STUDY GUIDE WILL BE PROVIDED
	Tuesday, July 9, 2010, All Final Grades Due by Noon.