PHIL 131 - Introduction to Ethics

Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 5
This course will focus on the study and discussion of the original writings of classic moral philosophers. The moral theories of Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Epictetus, Hobbes, Mill, Kant, Kierkegaard, Hallie, Midgley and Noddings will be examined, analyzed, compared and contrasted.
Course Outcomes:

Explain and identify primary concepts in ethical theory.
Apply concepts such as consequentialism, deontological, virtue ethics, relativism and reciprocity (as it applies to self/other) to class discussion topics and individual writing topics.
Defend and critique these theories as they apply to specific issues and/or cases.
Construct and formulate, through epistemological investigation, a productive dialogue about ethical standards, beliefs, and societal constructs.
Evaluate ethical theory in both oral and written formats.

Course Topics:

Ancient, ethical philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, and the Stoics
Augustine, Aquinas, Kant, Kierkegaard and the Existentialists
“The Moderns” - Diverse collection of essays from a varying set of philosophical viewpoints

Course Attribute(s): Humanities