1.

Course Introduction (EMP Ch1)

2. Logic Primer (RT, ch. 2)
Relativist Ethics
3. Cultural Relativism (EMP ch. 2, BB)
4. Subjectivism (EMP ch. 3, RT ch. 7)
Objective Ethics
5. Divine Command Theory and Natural Law (EMP ch. 4, RT ch. 5)
6. Abortion (RT ch. 10 and 11)
7. Egoism (EMP ch. 5)
8. Utilitarianism (EMP ch. 6 and 7, RT ch. 8)

LOGIC:
1. two types of arguments
a. Deductive – strongest of the two
i. Validity and soundness
ii. If this type of argument is valid AND you think the conclusion
is false, then there should be some premise that you also think
is false.

b. Inductive – “will”
i. Weaker arguments
ii. Conclusion is matter of probability
iii. A strong inductive argument makes the conclusion probably
iv. A weak inductive argument makes the conclusion possible

2. Some forms for Deductive arguments

a. Modus ponens – “if it is raining, then I have my umbrella. It is raining.
Therefore I have my umbrella.
i. Common mistake: AFFIRMING THE CONSEQUENCE
“If it is raining, then I have my umbrella. I have my umbrella.
Therefore it is raining.
b. Modus Tollens – “if it is raining then I have my umbrella. It is not the
case I have my umbrella. Therefore it is not the case it is raining.
i. Common mistake: DENYING THE ANTECEDENT
“if it is raining, then I have my umbrella. It is not the case that
it is raining. Therefore, it is not the case that I have my
umbrella.
c. Disjunctive Syllogism (process of elimination)
“either red or blue is his favorite color. It is not the case that
red is his favorite color. Therefore, blue is his favorite color.

3. Some common informal fallacies to avoid

a. Ad Hominem – the attempt to rebut a claim by criticizing its source
b. Straw Man – the attempt to refute a position by exaggerating,
 distorting or otherwise misrepresenting it.
c. Hasty generalization: over generalization or stereotyping
d. Red herring – introducing a new topic into the conversation to distract
from the original topic
e. Argument from Popularity (or unpopularity) – using fact that a certain
position is popular (or unpopular) as support for that position
f. Appeal to Authority – appealing to statements by others to support a
position.

4. Conclusion – the thing you are trying to prove

5. Premises – the reasons given in support of the conclusion
6. Validity – is a question of structure only
7. Soundness is a question of truth applied to the premises of a valid argument.

ETHICS
1. There is a large distinction between 2 types of claims (purported truths):
a. Objective – there exists some universal conception/standard of
right/wrong
b. Subjective – there does not exist some universal conception/standard or
right/wrong
2. Ethics seeks RIGHT/WRONG NOOOOT GOOD/BAD
3. Three things to explain in ethics
a. What is morally obligatory?
i. What the moral code of a culture tells you is obligatory
b. What is morally permissible?
i. What the moral code of a culture tells you is permissible
c. What is morally impermissible?
i. What the moral code of a culture tells you is impermissible

CULTURE RELATIVISM
1. No objective distinction between right and wrong.
2. Says that there is no moral progress in the world
3. Compares ethics to science
4. There are no true objective moral standards
5. There is no standard by which to compare cultures
6. The moral code of a culture is what determines what is right/wrong in that culture
a. Factors: time and place
b. Immoral is never immoral except when time and place define moral.
i. What is morally obligatory?
1. What the moral code of a culture tells you is obligatory
ii. What is morally permissible?
1. What the moral code of a culture tells you is permissible
 iii. What is morally impermissible?
1. What the moral code of a culture tells you is impermissible
7. Arguments in favor
a. Cultural differences
b. Arugment from tolerence
8. Arguments against
a. Moral comparisons
i. Argument from moral progress
b. Moral reformers
c. Moral truths vs. mere custom
i. Moral truths are backed by reasons/arguments, social morals
cannot be backed up

***SOME BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HAS THE SAME

COMMON MORALS, JUST DIFFERENT WAYS OF EXPRESSING IT!! ***

DESCRIPTIVE CULTURAL RELATIVISM

1. Cultures disagree about matters of morality.

Utility: consequences matter most

Good - right and virtue
Deontology: rule based ethics
Right good and virtue
Virtue Based: virtues, character traits are what matters most
Virtue  right and good

SUBJECTIVISM
I. Simple subjectivism: morality is nothing over and above a matter of
individual feeling or sentiment.

a. Making a moral judgment is simply making a judgment about our own

attitudes. APPROVAL or DISAPPROVAL
b. Arguments for

II. Emotivism
a. Cognitive Meaning just in case it is used to say something true or false
b. Emotive Meaning just in case it is used to express emotion

**Moral “judgments” are not truly judgments as they are neither true nor false.
**Moral “judgments” are commands or expressions of desire or emotion.
**Moral “judgments” have no cognitive meaning, but do contain emotive
meaning.
Aka… BOO/HURRAH!