Philosophy 252: Ethics and the Good Life Spring Semester, 2001 Ed Langerak

Office hours: M-Th, 3-4, and by appointment. Phones: 3494; 645-8321. E-mail: langerak

What is the good life? Is it the same as the happy life? The fulfilled life? A life of service? The moral life? What is a good person? What are the virtues and principles that inform the moral life? How do they relate to religious values? To political values? How can one have commitments that provide structure and meaning to one’s life and still get along with those who flatly disagree? Can one avoid rigid dogmatism without accepting wishy-washy relativism? What are the main normative perspectives in today’s ethical debates, where did they come from, and what are their notable strengths and weaknesses? Using philosophical methods such as conceptual analysis, creative thinking, sound argument, coherent development of ideas, and dialectical inquiry, we will integrate historical survey with personal experience and reflection, while applying what we learn to practical ethical issues.

Student contributions: Careful reading and class participation (10% of grade). Six informal response paragraphs, due on Mondays, February 19 & 26, March 5, and April 2, 9, & 23; or on Wednesdays, February 21 & 28, March 7, and April 4, 11 (or 18), & 25; or on Fridays, February 23, March 2 & 9, and April 6, 20, & 27 (10%). Two 1000-word (4 pages) “dialectical inquiry” papers (15%x2=30%). A mid-term (20%) and final (25%). Perhaps some quizzes (5%).

Texts: Louis Pojman, Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong, 3^rd ed (P); Langdon Gilkey, Shantung Compound (G); many handouts (H) ($5).

Topic Reading Writing

2/7: Introduction

2/9: Philosophical method. Handout on euthanasia. Description of situation of moral choice.

2/12: “

2/14: “ Commentary

2/16: What is ethics? P1

2/19: Relativism. P2 M

2/21: Ojectivism. P3 W

2/23: Pluralism. H F

2/26: “ H M

2/28: Toleration. H W

3/2: Egoism. P4 F

3/5: Why be moral? P9 M

3/7: Value. P5 W

3/9: Epicurus. H F

3/12: Stoics. H

3/14: Review.

3/16: Midterm.

Spring Break

Topic Reading Writing

3/26: Utilitarianism. P6 & H

3/28: “

3/30: “ First paper due

4/2: Kant P7 & H M

4/4: “ W

4/6: “ F

4/9: Religion and ethics. P10 & G1-3 M

4/11: Gilkey’s lessons. G4-8 (W)

Easter Break

4/18: “ G9-11 & H (W)

4/20: “ G12-14 F

4/23: Covenantal ethics. H M

4/25: “ H W

4/27: Aristotle P8 & H F

4/30: “

5/2: Rights

5/4: Justice

5/7: Rich and poor

5/9:

5/11:

5/14: Second paper due

516: Review.

5/18: Final exam, 9am.

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Ed Langerak
langerak@stolaf.edu
Date Last Modified: 8/10/03