Philosophy 494-3 Seminar: Ethical TheorySpring 20111:15-3:05, Blanchard Hall 124 Holmes Seminar RoomProfessor David B. Fletcher, Ph.D.Phone: x5890 (office). E-mail: David.B.Fletcher@wheaton.eduOffice: Blanchard 107

PHIL 494-3. Ethical Theory. An examination of major types of ethical theory, emphasizing twentieth-century thought, along with consideration of the status of ethical theorizing as a philosophical enterprise and the prospects for a common morality in contemporary society. Investigates connections between philosophy and other disciplines, such as psychology, political science, and theology. Seminar format. Prerequisites: PHIL 311, 312.

The nature of ethical theory is a vigorously contested issue in philosophy today, and one that has very significant practical implications for society. What is the status of the moral principles of the Hebrew-Christian moral tradition? Can they be defended and argued on the basis of reason and common human experience, or are they only "house rules" for those particular communities that have religious allegiances? Can we still talk today of a "common morality," accessible in principle to all people in society, that can be the basis of law and policy? Should ethical reflection be conducted in terms of action guiding precepts or ideals of moral character? Are questions of right and wrong capable of being decided on rational grounds? How, if at all, can rival moral judgments be established as true over competitors? How are moral principles to be applied in concrete situations? Such questions are but a few of those that arise in moral philosophy, questions that have occupied a great part of the energies of the West's leading philosophers since Socrates.

This course is an advanced undergraduate seminar course in ethical theory. It is designed to satisfy the Capstone requirement for the Philosophy major, bringing into operation the philosophical understanding and skills developed over your college years.

Objectives

In this course you will:

1. Encounter some of the major issues, theories, and authors in ethical theory.

2. Do philosophy at an advanced level in a seminar format, and write a substantial work of philosophy.

1

3. Begin to evaluate rival theories and to develop an approach to theory that is philosophically defensible, responsive to issues arising in the philosophical and Christian traditions, capable of supporting morally acceptable positions, and consonant with Christian perspectives.

Means for obtaining objectives

1. Class. The major activity of this course is reading and discussing substantive works of moral philosophy, mostly contemporary. This means that the student bears a far greater responsibility than in lower level course, both for his or her own learning and for the level of interest and the usefulness of seminar time. The success of the course is not the responsibility of the professor alone!

2. Papers. The major written assignments of the course will culminate in a paper dealing with a significant topic in ethical theory. This paper will be done in stages under supervision.

• Paper 1a: Prepare a 5-6 line description of your topic, plus a brief note on how you plan to go about it. Choose a topic you really would like to explore. It may be a historical study, a discussion article, a critical reaction paper, or the development of an original idea. Alternative majors, also known as "24 + 16," students are encouraged to consider “bridge” topics. Please give a good deal of thought to the selection of a topic for this paper, and I urge you to make an appointment to discuss topic ideas with me.

• Paper 1b: Proposal. This paper will formally propose a topic for investigation, outline major views on different sides of the issue, and list major sources. (3 pp) I will approve this proposal and help identify what you need to do to complete an acceptable paper. I will also keep a copy in your file.

• Paper 2: Literature Review. This paper will continue the project by reviewing, summarizing, and reacting to your sources. As a guideline, you should discuss at least (sections of) two outside books and five journal articles. This is handed in with Paper 1 attached (total 8 pp). I will critique it again and make recommendations for improvement.

• Paper 3: First Draft. This will incorporate 1 and 2 (please attach those two papers), and will pose a problem in the work of a major philosopher, or investigate a topic discussed by several philosophers, and will review various positions on the subject and reach a reasoned conclusion backed up by argument and evidence. The paper should be approximately 20 pp in length. In format and quality of work, I would hope that some of the papers would be of interest to undergraduate philosophy journals such as Episteme and Dialog, and would make a good paper sample for graduate school applications. I would be eager to work further with you to prepare a worthy paper for such purposes.

2

• Paper 4: Final Paper. This is a revision of the first draft, Paper 3, rewritten in view of comments and corrections. You may wish also to show it to other advanced philosophy students and solicit their comments and advice for improvement. The paper will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, and mechanics as well as for philosophical and argumentative quality. Papers must follow the guidelines in such stylebooks Turabian's Manual for Writers... ; improperly prepared papers will be graded down. There is a very helpful website on writing philosophy papers at http://www.cofc.edu/~portmord/tips.htm

3. Examinations. There will be a midterm and a final on the dates indicated to test your comprehension of the readings and in-class material.

4. Seminar papers. There will be 7 brief seminar papers due as indicated. They will be typed, but need not be highly polished, and will show evidence of having closely read and worked through the readings. You will articulate and defend a personal if tentative stance on one issue of substance that arises in the reading. In the mode of a tutorial seminar, each student will be selected to read at least one of his/her papers to the class for immediate feedback and discussion.

5. Devotions. Class will normally begin with devotions. Students are invited to sign up to lead devotions on Thursdays. A Scripture reading, prayer, "centering thought," or hymn would be appropriate.

6. Policies. All work is due on the assigned date, in class at the start of the period.

7. Grades. Midterm, 20%; Final, 20%; total of seminar papers, 20%; final paper, 30%; class participation, 10%.

I hope to meet personally with each student. My office hour schedule is posted in the Philosophy Department. I am also available for lunches, to meet in the Stupe, or other meetings.

Texts:A. Donagan, The Theory of Morality; A. MacIntyre, After Virtue.; , M Baron, P. Pettit, M. Slote, Three Methods of Ethics G. Outka and P. Reeder, Prospects for a Common Morality1; reserves

Course ScheduleSpring 2011

Week of Topic Reading Due 1 Outka and Reeder is out of print. Copies are still available through Amazon.com and perhaps other sources, and you will have plenty of time to order one. You might consider getting it as an “e book.” I’ll have one on library reserve, as well.

3

JAN 10-14 What is ethical theory? Moral law tradition; Anscombe*Overview of theories;Debate over ethical theory (Elisabeth Anscombe,

"Modern Moral Philosophy, Philosophy", Mind (33), 1958, pp. 1-19.)

Ethical Theories

JAN 17 -212 Ethics of respect for Kant3, BPS ch. 2 persons--Deontology Nagel (Reserve) SP1

JAN 244-28 Donagan 1.1-1.5, 2.1,2. 3-2.5 SP2

JAN 31-FEB 4 Donagan 3.1-3.7. 5.1-2, 6.1-4, 7.1-6 Pap 1

FEB 7-115 Utilitarianism Mill,6 BPS ch. 2SP3

FEB 14-18 Virtue Aristotle;7 BPS 3 Pap1b

FEB 218-25 MacIntyre MacIntyre 1-6 SP4

FEB 28-MAR 4 Virtue sloteMacIntyre, 9, 12, 14-16, 18-

19;Pap2

2 Christian Muslim Relationships: A Response to Religious Pluralism, Eboo Patel, Interfaith Youth Core & Skye Jethani ,Wednesday, January 19, 7:30 PM, Coray Auditorium,Co-Sponsored with Student Activities, Taylor University and St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn, IL

3 http://philosophy.eserver.org/kant/metaphys-of-morals.txt4 Dr. Kyla Ebels-Duggan, Northwestern University, "Kant on Morality, Religion, and Purpose in Life. " Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 7:30 p.m.. Blanchard Hall 339

5 Can God be Trusted? Faith and the Challenge of Evil, Dr. John Stackhouse, Regent CollegeWednesday, February 9, 7:00 pm, 339 Blanchard Hall, Co-sponsored with the Philosophy Department

6 http://www.utilitarianism.com/mill1.htm7http://people.bu.edu/wwildman/WeirdWildWeb/courses/wphil/readings/wphil_rdg09_nichomacheanethics_entire.htm8 Feb 21, Presidents day, no class

4

MAR 5-13 Spring break

MAR 14-18 Three methods in BPS 4-6 Midterm

dialog

MAR 21-25 Care, Community Reserve*

1. Nel Noddings, Caring, University of California Press, 1984, selections

2. Jean Grimshaw, "The Idea of a Female Ethic," in Peter Singer , ed., A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, 1991.

3. Michael Levin, “Is There a Female Morality?” in Louis Pojman, Ethical Theory, Wadsworth, 2002.

4. Richard Rorty, "Solidarity or Objectivity," in Stanley G. Clarke and Evan Simpson, Antitheory in Ethics and Moral Conservatism, Suny 1989.

Controversy over "Ethical Theory"

MAR 28-AP 1 Antitheory Reserve SP 5

1. "The Primacy of Moral Practice," and "Rationalistic Moral Theory Pro and Con," in Stanley G. Clarke and Evan Simpson, Antitheory in Ethics and Moral Conservatism, Suny 1989.

2. Robert Louden, "Introduction," "Ch 5 What do Antitheorists mean by theory," and Chapter 8 "Why we need moral theories?" in Robert Louden, Morality and Moral Theory: A Reappraisal and Reaffirmation, Oxford U Press, 1992.

AP 4-8 Postmodernist ReserveSp 6directions

5

1. John Caputo, "The End of Ethics," in Hugh LaFollette, ed., The Blackwell Guide to Ethical Theory, Blackwell, 2000.

2. Seyla Benhabib, "Communicative Ethics and the Claims of Gender, Community, and Postmodernism, Feminism," and "the Question of Postmodernism," in Situating The Self : Gender, Community, and Postmodernism in Contemporary Ethics, Routledge, 1992

AP 11-15 Prospects for a O&R Intro, 2, 1,3,4 Pap3Common Morality

AP 18-229 Common morality O&R 5, 7-9.11-12 SP7

AP 25-29 Religion and morality1. Kai Nielson, Ethics without god, and

George Mavrodes, Religion and the Queerness of Morality, in Louis Pojman, Ethical Theory, Wadsworth, 2002.

2. David B. Fletcher, “Particular Divine Moral commands,” in Michael Beaty, et al, Christian Theism and Moral Philosophy, Mercer U. Press, 1998.

Pap 4

Final: Our final-- Our final is Tuesday, May 3, at 10:30.Academic Honesty Policy

Academic dishonesty occurs when a student or any member of an academic community fails to truthfully represent the sources of their work, whether on tests, in papers, presentations and projects, or in any academic assignment. Academic dishonesty involves both stealing and lying, in that we steal the ideas and expressions of another contrary to their intent and, in representing them as our own we lie regarding their authorship. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, any misrepresentation or deception related to assigned or voluntary academic work, any deliberate attempt to gain unfair advantage in completing requirements, and colluding, aiding or abetting the academic dishonesty of another student. Such dishonesty is a violation of our obligation to follow Christ in moral obedience and a violation of our shared commitment to the Wheaton College Community Covenant (http://www.wheaton.edu/welcome/aboutus_community.html). The College-wide policy on Academic Honesty is presented in the Student Handbook, [http://intra/studentresources/studenthandbook/student_handbook.pdf)] and in accord with that policy, incidents of academic dishonesty in this course will be dealt with decisively. All academic work involves

9 April 22: Good Friday, no class

6

engagement with and presentation of the ideas of others, and so students should not hesitate to use the work of others. It is how that work is used that matters, and your professor is very willing to assist students in learning how to properly use and give credit for the work of others.

7