REQUIRED TEXT
 
 
 

Regan, Tom (ed.)  Matters of Life and Death  3rd Edition  (New York: McGraw Hill, Inc., 1993).

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS
 
 

This course is an introduction to moral philosophy.  During this term we will critically examine a number of moral theories, and we will attempt to apply those theories to moral problems of current concern, focusing our attention on topics such as euthanasia, abortion, and animal welfare.

Reading assignments are listed in the course outline below.  Students should attend each meeting of the course ready to discuss the assigned reading material.

There will be two essay examinations.  The midterm will be given in class on Tuesday, July 15.  The final will be given in class on Friday, August 1.  A week before each exam, I will distribute a list of questions, and the exam will consist of some (but not all) of the questions appearing on that list.  Each exam will be "closed-book" and will be worth one-half of the final grade for the course.
 
 

COURSE OUTLINE
 
 
 

06/24	Introductory Comments
06/25	"Introduction"  (Regan, 1-29)
06/26
06/27
06/30
07/01
07/02
07/03
07/07
07/08	"Euthanasia"  (Rachels, 30-68)
07/09
07/10
07/11
07/14
07/15	Midterm Exam
07/16	"Abortion"  (Feinberg, 195-234)
07/17
07/18
07/21
07/22
07/23	"Animals and the Value of Life"  (Singer, 280-321)
07/24
07/25
07/28
07/29
07/30
07/31
08/01	Final Exam