nobishomework@gmail.com

Writing assignment for Monday:

Summary of the arguments and objections in Peter Singer's "The Singer Solution to World Poverty." This is not really a summary of the article, but something more reflective where you identify Singer's main conclusion(s) and the premises he gives in its (or their) favor, and state the objections he discusses in valid form.

In submitting work by email, please:
1. Put your name, class time and assignment in the subject line
2. Put your name, class time and assignment in the body of the email as well
3. Paste your assignment into the body of the email
4. Also, attach your assignment as a properly formatted attachment

Send your assignment to: nobishomework@gmail.com

Friday there is Quiz 2, a midterm quiz covering everything since the last quiz. This will include EMP Chs. 2, 3 and 4 and everything from class. For Monday or Wednesday create a detailed review sheet over this material. Study groups to develop this review sheet are encouraged!

For Monday (or Wednesday would be fine too):

1. Make a list of at least 10 reasons people give to think that abortion is wrong. These should be in complete sentences.

2. Make a list of at least 5 reasons people give to think that abortion is morally permissible. These should be in complete sentences.

3. Then, formulate all these arguments in logically valid form.

For Monday,

1. Make a list of at least 10 reasons given in favor of this conclusion:

Homosexuality is wrong.

Please state these reasons in complete sentences. So, either:
1. Homosexuality is ______.
2. Therefore, homosexuality is wrong.

Or, "Homosexuality is wrong because ______."

2. Make a list of at least five reasons to think that homosexuality is morally permissible, in complete sentences.

3. Attempt to state these arguments in logically valid form. Hint: the "universal generalization" form is likely very helpful here.

For Wednesday, please check out videos on Youtube on female genital mutilation or female circumcision. Google those terms, please, and see what you find.

Please also read: "What's Culture Got to Do with it? Excising the Harmful Tradition of Female Circumcision"

DUE MONDAY FOR CLASS.

In Elements of Moral Philosophy (Ch.2) and The Right Thing to Do (RTD) (Ch. 1) a moral theory called "Moral Relativism" or "Cultural Relativism" is discussed (these two terms refer to the same theory). In RTD Ch. 2, "Moral Skepticism" is discussed.

What are these theories? Explain them.

What are arguments against them, i.e., arguments that they are false? Present these arguments in logically valid form (hint, Modus Tollens is an ideal form: "If this theory were true, then such and such would follow. But such and such is not true, so the theory is not true."

For Friday and Monday, we will discuss EMP Ch. 1. A detailed summary or outline was due Wednesday.

For this Monday, here is the writing assignment, which is different from what was given in class yesterday; this assignment will be better at this time:

Construct an extremely detailed review sheet that summarizes and thoroughly explains all the concepts, theories and arguments presented in this class thus far: from the readings, handouts, class discussion, lectures, etc. 

For Wednesday, please read this, which can likely also be found online via Google:

"The New Eugenics," Matt Ridley (RTD, #36) [This goes with the bioethics theme of ch. 1.]

 Friday, Sept 16 is the first quiz, in class.

WEB CT

If you are having troubles with WebCT (including not being able to login), please contact:

Anne Grey (agrey @ morehouse.edu) , with your

- Name

- email

- crn of the course

- your Tigernet ID (if you have one)

- your school

A link for an electronic version of EMP Ch 1 has been placed on the calendar in WebCT.

For this week and next:
1. Monday and Wednesday we will discuss logic and arguments. The main reading is RTD Ch 2. The link is below and on the syllabus.
2. Friday we will discusss RTD Ch 1.
3. Monday is a holiday (Labor Day), so next Wednesday and Friday we will discuss EMP Ch. 1. The writing assignment is a very, very detailed summary of the chapter, due in Web Ct by classtime Wed.

Syllabus, Fall 2011

Syllabus

Introduction to Philosophical Ethics, PHI 302

Fall 2011

AVAILABLE IN PDF here: http://goo.gl/aB6N1

Note: Students are responsible for understanding all the information and policies presented in this syllabus. Students will be referred to it if they have questions that are answered here. A syllabus is not a contract and can be revised, if needed, to promote learning and other educational goals.

11- 11:50 AM course, Sale Hall ___: Intro to Philosophical Ethics - 44899 - HPHI 302G - 06

12- 12:50 PM   course, Sale Hall ___: Intro to Philosophical Ethics - 44894 - HPHI 302G - 01

1-1:50 PM        course, Sale Hall ___: Intro to Philosophical Ethics - 44895 - HPHI 302G - 02

WebCT:                                              https://webct.morehouse.edu/webct/public/home.pl

Course blog (being phased out):         http://philosophy302.blogspot.com

Instructor: Nathan Nobis, Ph.D., www.NathanNobis.com

Preferred Email: nathan.nobis@gmail.com; nnobis@morehouse.edu

Telephone: 404-215-2607

Office: Sale Hall 113, Philosophy & Religion Department

Office Hours: 2:00-3 PM MW and by appointment.

Department of Philosophy and Religion: Mission and Objectives:

The two-fold objective of this Department is to prepare students for graduate or professional study in the fields of philosophy and religious studies and to enable them to satisfy the College requirements in the general education program. The courses in philosophy and religion seek to provide the student not only with a firm base in these two academic disciplines, but also with a means for self-examination and self-orientation. The work in philosophy aims to develop a critical and analytical approach to all the major areas of human inquiry. The work in religion aims to describe, analyze and evaluate the role of religion in the life of humans since earliest times and how the religious quest continues as a variegated and often tortuous climb toward human growth and fulfillment.

1.      CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: Provides an introduction to philosophical reflection about the nature and function of morality. Readings will include both historical and contemporary materials.

EXTENDED COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides students with the opportunity to improve their skills at reasoning critically about moral issues. Students will learn some basic logical concepts and argument analysis skills and apply them to theoretical and practical questions about morality. We will practice identifying clear (i.e., unambiguous) and precise moral conclusions (i.e., exact perspectives taken on moral issues) and the premises, or 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 morally permissible and a morally impermissible (or wrong) action?’ and ‘What makes wrong actions wrong and what makes permissible actions permissible?’ – and apply our argument analysis skills to moral issues such as the treatment of disabled newborns, female genital mutilation, homosexuality, abortion, absolute poverty, racism, sexism, and speciesism, vegetarianism and the treatment of animals, euthanasia and assisted suicide, drug use, and capital punishment, among others.

2.      COURSE 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:

a.       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;

b.      write clear, concise and simple grammatical, spelling-error-free sentences and well-organized expository and argumentative essays, as taught in Introductory English courses;

c.       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.

3.      COURSE 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:

a.       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;

b.      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; 

c.       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; 

d.      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;

e.       identify and distinguish factual/empirical/scientific and moral/philosophical premises in moral arguments;

f.       evaluate moral arguments as (1) logically valid or invalid (or otherwise logically cogent) and (2) sound or unsound (or otherwise strong);

g.       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.

A GREEN SYLLABUS: This course contains content that allows it to contribute to Morehouse’s Institute for Sustainable Energy program, its planned academic Minor in Energy and the Morehouse-Wide Initiative for Sustainable Energy (M-WISE) program: http://www.morehouse.edu/news/InsideMorehouse_w/dec10jan11/hbcu-energy.html

This content is indicated in green below.

4.      REQUIRED MATERIALS, which must always be brought to class.

1. James and Stuart Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy (McGraw Hill Publishing) (Any edition).
2. James and Stuart Rachels, eds. The Right Thing to Do, (McGraw Hill Publishing) 4^th Ed. (Any edition will do, but students are responsible for getting copies of any readings in the current edition not found in prior editions).
3. Additional materials will be posted online and/or handed out in class.

5.      ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING:

• 12 weekly short writing assignments, often on the readings, always due Monday before class through WebCT: 5 points each, 60 points total. ( 33% of total grade)
• Writing assignment for this Monday (8/29): what makes a class go best for enabling you to learn the best you can, in terms of the material, structure, organization, classroom atmosphere, instructor’s behavior and attitude, your own behavior and attitude, and so on?
• 4 Quizzes. Instead of having a traditional midterm and final exam, we will have some shorter quizzes that cover less material and provide more immediate feedback on your progress: 15 points each, 60 points total ( 33 % of total grade, total)
• 3 Argumentative essays (approx 5 pages): 15 points each, 45 points total (25% of total grade)
• Attendance and participation, including a spoken presentation and preparation of the “Minutes” – which is a review of last last’s material and discussion – and volunteering to lead class discussion at least once. 15 points. (8% of total grade)

No work will be accepted late except with a written, college-approved excuse.

Final grades will be determined by the quantity and quality of work done only: students who need a certain grade should work to ensure that they earn that grade.

Plagiarism and cheating is not allowed and will be severely penalized by either a zero on an assignment (and no chance for making up that assignment) or failing the course. Do not consult any outside sources for any assignments or examine the work of any other students – current or past students – unless directed to do so by the instructor.

6. ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS AND CLASS POLICIES.

Class attendance is required for all Morehouse College courses.  Each student is allowed four absences in this course. In addition, two late-arrivals will count as one absence. Students who are late are responsible for informing the instructor at the end of the class period that they are present, otherwise they may be recorded as absent.  Excuses for absences should be submitted no later than two weeks from occurrence. 

            Students who accumulate more than four officially unexcused absences may have their course grade lowered.  Daily attendance will be recorded.  Each student should keep a record of his or her absences.  Students who miss exams or quizzes due to unexcused absences will not be allowed to make them up.  Students who fail to submit the essays on the due date, without official excuse, may be penalized.  Students who take a trip that is officially sponsored (and therefore excused) by the College must inform the instructor prior to the trip to discuss how their class work can be made up. Students should make a point of informing the instructor of any required special accommodation.

Fall 2011 Academic Calendar
1	Wednesday	24-Aug-11	First Day of Class
2	Friday	2-Sep-11	End Drop/Add
	Saturday	4-Sep-10	Withdrawal Period Begins
3	Monday	5-Sep-11	Labor Day
8	Monday-Friday	October 10-14, 2011	Mid-term Week
	Monday-Friday	November 7-11, 2011	Academic Advising Week
	Monday-Friday	14-Nov-11	Web Registration Begins
	Friday	18-Nov-11	Last Day to Withdraw
	Thursday-Friday	November 24-25, 2011	Thanksgiving Day
	Wednesday	30-Nov-11	Last Day of Classes
15	Thursday-Friday	December 1-2, 2011	Reading Period
15	Thursday-Friday	December 1-2, 2011	Senior Final Exams
16	Monday-Friday	December 5-9, 2011	Final Exams
	Thursday	8-Dec-11	Senior Grades due by Noon
	Friday	9-Dec-11	Semester Ends
17	Tuesday	13-Dec-11	All Final Grades due by Noon

First assignments; dates TBA:

Writing assignment for this Monday (8/29): what makes a class go best for enabling you to learn the best you can, in terms of the material, structure, organization, classroom atmosphere, instructor’s behavior and attitude, your own behavior and attitude, and so on?

o        Rachels, The Right Thing to Do (RTD: Ch. 2, “Some Basic Points About Arguments,” available here if you don’t yet have the books: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/rachels-on-arguments.pdf

Handouts on 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: Morally Permissible, Obligatory, Impermissible/Wrong

o See pp. 3, 5-8; also discusses logic and moral theories:

https://sites.google.com/site/ethicsandanimals/EthicsandAnimalsLecturesDiscussionQuestionsAssigments.pdf

o        Rachels, The Right Thing to Do: Ch.1 “A Short Introduction to Moral Philosophy,” available here if you don’t yet have the books: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/rachels-intro-to-ethics.pdf 

o        Ch. 1, "What is Morality?" (Elements of Moral Philosophy, EMP)  

o        "The New Eugenics," Matt Ridley (RTD, #36) [This goes with the bioethics theme of ch. 1.]

Order of Readings (however, we will not discuss all these readings below); exact dates and assignments will be announced in class and online:

1.       "Some Basic Points about Arguments," James Rachels (RTD, #2). Available here if you don’t yet have the books: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/rachels-on-arguments.pdf

Logic Handout 1: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/arguments.pdf

Logic Handout 2: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/validargumentforms.pdf

2.       James Rachels, "A Short Introduction to Moral Philosophy" (RTD, #1). Available here if you don’t yet have the books: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/rachels-intro-to-ethics.pdf  

3.       Ch. 1, "What is Morality?" (Elements)

4.       "The New Eugenics," Matt Ridley (RTD, #36) [This goes with the bioethics theme of ch. 1.]

5.       Ch. 2, "The Challenge of Cultural Relativism" (Elements)

6.       “What’s Culture Got to Do with it? Excising the Harmful Tradition of Female Circumcision,” Harvard Law Review, http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/female_circumcision.pdf

7.       "Monogamy: A Critique," John McMurtry (RTD, #28) [This goes with the brief discussion of polyamory on pp. 29-30 of Elements; the readings below also concern sexual ethics.]

8.       "Our Sexual Ethics," Bertrand Russell (RTD, #29)

9.       "Alcohol and Rape," Nicholas Dixon (RTD, #30)

10.   Ch. 3, "Subjectivism in Ethics" (Elements)

11.   "The Subjectivity of Values," J. L. Mackie (RTD, #6) [This defends a version of Ethical Subjectivism.]

12.   Richard Feldman on “Simple Moral Arguments”: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/feldman-simple-moral-arguments.pdf

13.   "Is Homosexuality Unnatural?" Burton M. Leiser (RTD, #27) [This is an expanded version of the argument given on pp. 44-45 of Elements.]

Video: John Corvino: “What’s Morally Wrong with Homosexuality?” http://johncorvino.com/wp/photos/  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SutThIFi24w

Argument worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/homosexuality-arguments.pdf

14.   Ch. 4, "Does Morality Depend on Religion?" (Elements)

15.   Fred Feldman on abortion: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/fred_feldman_on_abortion.pdf

16.   "On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion / Postscript on Infanticide," Mary Anne Warren (RTD, #13)

17.   "Why Abortion Is Immoral," Don Marquis (RTD, #11) [One aspect of the abortion debate is discussed on pp. 57-61 of Elements.]

18.   "A Defense of Abortion," Judith Jarvis Thomson (RTD, #12)

Argument worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/abortion-worksheet.pdf

19.   Ch. 5, "Ethical Egoism" (Elements)

20.   "9/11 and Starvation," Mylan Engel, Jr. (RTD, #17) [Poverty is discussed on pp. 62-63 of Elements.]

21.   "The Singer Solution to World Poverty," Peter Singer (RTD, #18)

Argument worksheet: http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/poverty-arguments.pdf

Nathan Nobis, entry on “Peter Singer,” in Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy, J. Baird Callicott and Robert Frodeman, eds., Macmillan Reference, 2008: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/singer-encyclopedia.pdf Peter Singer, “One Atmosphere,” from his One World: The Ethics of Globalization (Yale University Press, 2002) Carr, Edward R. “Sustainable Development” For the Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy, Vol 2, J. Baird Callicott and Robert Frodeman, eds.  Macmillan Reference USA: 295-298, 2008. http://goo.gl/IWXE0 There are many more resources on sustainability and sustainable development, justice and energy consumption, justice and pollution and related topics.

22.   "Is Racial Discrimination Arbitrary?" Peter Singer (RTD, #32) [This essay asks whether "The Principle of Equal Treatment" (as we call it on p. 77 of Elements) applies to three difficult test cases.]

23.   Ch. 6, "The Idea of a Social Contract" (Elements)

24.   "Letter from the Birmingham City Jail," Martin Luther King, Jr. (RTD, #31) [King's letter is quoted on pp. 90-91 of Elements.]

25.   "In Defense of Quotas," James Rachels (RTD, #33) [This reading goes with King's "Letter from the Birmingham City Jail." In King's day, America was so racist that preferential quotas were justified. Are they justified today?]

26.   Ch. 7, "The Utilitarian Approach" (Elements)

27.   "Utilitarianism," John Stuart Mill (RTD, #3)

28.   “One Nurse’s Story,” http://sites.google.com/site/nobisphilosophy/one_nurses_story.pdf

29.   "The Morality of Euthanasia," James Rachels (RTD, #34) [Euthanasia is discussed on pp. 98-101 of Elements.]

30.   "Assisted Suicide: Pro-Choice or Anti-Life?" Richard Doerflinger (RTD, #35) [Assisted suicide is different from euthanasia, but the topics are similar.]

31.   "America's Unjust Drug War," Michael Huemer (RTD, #26) [Marijuana is discussed on pp. 101-104 of Elements.]

32.   "All Animals Are Equal," Peter Singer (RTD, #14) [The treatment of animals is discussed on pp. 104-108 of Elements.]

33.   "Torturing Puppies and Eating Meat: It's All in Good Taste," Alastair Norcross (RTD, #15)

34.   "Do Animals Have Rights?" Tibor R. Machan (RTD, #16)

35.   “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

Environmental consequences of factory farming / intensive animal agriculture, some of which are summarized and linked to at: http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/environment.html and http://www.veganoutreach.org/globalwarming.html including “Livestock a Major Threat to the Environment,” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000448/index.html “Study: vegan diets healthier for planet, people than meat diets”: http://www-news.uchicago.edu/releases/06/060413.diet.shtml Eshel, Gidon, Pamela A. Martin, 2006: Diet, Energy, and Global Warming. Earth Interact., 10, 1–17. http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/EI167.1 http://inside.bard.edu/~geshel “Sustainability of meat-based and plant-based diets and the Environment,” David Pimentel and Marcia Pimentel, Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78(suppl):660S–3S. http://www.ajcn.org/content/78/3/660S.full.pdf Food, Inc.: the film: http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-issues.php There are many more resources on animal agriculture and sustainability, energy consumption, global warming, pollution and related topics.

36.   Ch. 8, "The Debate over Utilitarianism" (Elements)

37.   "Utilitarianism and Integrity," Bernard Williams (RTD, #4) [This selection presents Williams' most famous objection to Utilitarianism.]

38.   "The Experience Machine," Robert Nozick (RTD, #5) [This selection presents Nozick's most famous objection to Hedonist Utilitarianism.]

39.   Ch. 9, "Are There Absolute Moral Rules?" (Elements)

40.   "The Categorical Imperative," Immanuel Kant (RTD, #7) [The Categorical Imperative is discussed on pp. 127-129 of Elements.]

41.   "The Ethics of War and Peace," Douglas P. Lackey (RTD, #19) [The Allies' conduct of the Second World War is discussed on pp. 124-126 of Elements.]

42.   "Fifty Years after Hiroshima," John Rawls (RTD, #20) [The bombing of Hiroshima is discussed on pp. 124-126 of Elements.]

43.   "What Is Wrong with Terrorism?" Thomas Nagel (RTD, #21) [The readings on war and terrorism go together. Also, Nagel implies that the prohibition on aiming at the death of a harmless person is an absolute moral rule.]

44.   "The War on Terrorism and the End of Human Rights," David Luban (RTD, #22) [This continues the themes of war and terrorism.]

45.   "Liberalism, Torture, and the Ticking Bomb," David Luban (RTD, #23) [One may ask: is the prohibition on torture an absolute moral rule?]

46.   Ch. 10, "Kant and Respect for Persons" (Elements)

47.   "A Defense of the Death Penalty," Louis P. Pojman (RTD, #24) [Punishment is discussed on pp. 139-145 of Elements. We discuss the death penalty specifically on p. 143.]

48.   "Why the United States Will Join the Rest of the World in Abandoning Capital Punishment," Stephen B. Bright (RTD, #25)

49.   Ch. 11, "Feminism and the Ethics of Care" (Elements)

50.   "Caring Relations and Principles of Justice," Virginia Held (RTD, #10) [See pp. 152-157 of Elements.]

51.   Ch. 12, "The Ethics of Virtue" (Elements)

52.   "The Virtues," Aristotle (RTD, #8)

53.   "Master Morality and Slave Morality," Friedrich Nietzsche (RTD, #9) [Nietzsche glorifies the virtues of "master morality" and ridicules the vices of "slave morality."]

54.   Ch. 13, "What Would a Satisfactory Moral Theory Be Like?" (Elements)

The final exam, covering everything from the last test - including the methods we have used throughout the term -- is next Wednesday at 10:30 AM. Study groups are encouraged, as is developing a study guide that addresses all the material since last test: all readings, all worksheets, all handouts, all videos, etc.

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT:

First, carefully read and study this article on how to write a philosophy paper: http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/writing.html

Next, from the topics we discussed in class, pick one and write a philosophy paper about it where you state at least five arguments no the topic in logically valid form and assess them as sound or not. Your paper should have an introduction, a thesis statement ("I will argue that _____") and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on one, and only one, idea. Your papers should be clearly written, grammatical and with no spelling errors. Your paper must conform to the standards set forth by Pryor.

You may receive up to 10 points extra credit for this assignment: however, these points must be earned by a well-written paper. A poorly written paper will yield no extra points. 

For Tuesday, please re-read John Simmon's "Reasonable Humans and Animals" :
http://sites.google.com/site/aphilosopher/veg.pdf
A detailed summary of this article was due today.

In class today this article was mentioned: Mylan Engel's "The Immorality of Eating Meat"

We watched a video that narrates part of his paper. For a similar video, see http://www.meat.org/ among many others.

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.