s14 Phil 2400 E91 Syllabus

Phil (2400) E91: Introduction to Ethics
Spring 2014

Professor: D. L. Dillard (Don) Supervisor: Dr. Greg Bock Class Location:
Contact: ddillar1@utk.edu Email: Greg.Bock@ws.edu > Humanities Complex # 100
Office Location: TBA Phone: 423.318.2748 Class Hours:
Office Hours: TBA Office: HUM 148A > 5:30 pm 9:30 pm

[I.] Introduction
Socrates held to the belief that the explanation for why people act wrongly is due to their ignorance about what is
right. In other words, if people know what they ought to do, then they will not fail to do as they ought. This in turn
appears to posit the existence of moral truth after all, if right action depends upon knowledge of what we ought to
do, then there must be some moral truth of the matter to have knowledge about. However, as Friedrich Nietzsche
astutely observed, We have no sense organ at all for knowing Truth, which means that even if there is such a
thing as moral truth, we may lack the capacity to know it. Furthermore, it isnt altogether clear whether ignorance is
in fact bad, or whether knowledge is always better, since sometimes we are better off for not knowing things.
Indeed, Socrates himself reasoned that wisdom could be a state of ignorance, and if wisdom facilitates the best and
happiest state of existence, then ignorance could lead to the best sort of life. All of this gestures at questions about
the connection between our moral lives and our conception of the good life, and how these considerations hang
together. From this point of view, Ethics is a way of balancing all of these considerations together, and this balanced
view is precisely the sort of approach we will take in considering the most contentious moral problems of our age.
[ii.] Course Description(s) & Prerequisite(s)
Prerequisite(s): There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, students who have taken
coursework in expository writing may tend to do better than otherwise.
Catalogue Description(s): An exploration of moral thought such as the ethical theories of Aristotle, Kant,
and Mill. Also includes discussion of contemporary moral problems such as reproductive technologies,
euthanasia, capital punishment, war, animals, and the environment.
Level(s): Undergraduate (3.000 Credit Hours) Humanities, College Express Course
Schedule Type(s): Lecture
[iii.] Required Readings / Texts
(EL) Shafer-Landau, Russ. The Ethical Life. Fundamental readings in Ethics and Moral problems. 2
nd

ed. Oxford University Press, NY (2012)
(FE) Shafer-Landau, Ross. The Fundamentals of Ethics. 2
nd
ed. Oxford University Press, NY (2012)
[iv.] Course Objectives, Aims & Design
Course Objectives
1. Be able to explain and critique the ethical theories of the worlds most influential philosophers.
2. Be able to apply various ethical theories to contemporary moral problems.
3. Be able to assess philosophical arguments with the tools of logic.
4. Demonstrate competent writing skills in an argumentative and philosophical essay.
5. Demonstrate competent oral communication skills in a class presentation.
6. Be able to describe how theories of morality apply to the self.
Course Aims
1. To articulate a basic theoretical understanding of the questions and importance of philosophy, and
to explain historically influential philosophical theories.
2. To recognize strong and weak arguments, and to develop the former

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3. Comparison and Contrast of those theories through sound arguments and the application of theory
to real world cases (see Theoretical vs. Practical below).
Theoretical vs. Practical / Applied Philosophy
o It is very often the case that higher education focuses on theoretical rather than practical knowledge, which,
as a consequence, often leaves students very ill equipped to deal with real world problems.
o As such, the objectives of this course are neatly divided between theory and application such that you will be
learning about the various theories in class, then applying those theories to hypothetical cases which most
closely approximate real world problems (see Relevance below).
Relevance
o As an educational philosophy, I employ the concept of relevance as an educational tool.
o While epistemic binging and purging (i.e., memorizing for a test then purging it immediately thereafter) is a
standard adaptive strategy for students to make the grade, there is a very real sense in which this
impoverishes rather than enriches students.
o Learning and understanding occurs best when the subject matter is relevant to the student as a person which
is to say, the phenomenological self which includes the background beliefs, perceptions, desires, and goals
of a person as oriented to some future state of Being.
o Thus, the bulk of your applied work will not be on philosophy per se, but on applied philosophy with respect
to the kind of person you are(e.g., if your major is psychology, then philosophy with respect to psychology,
etc.)
[v.] Classroom Policies & Procedures
1. Procedures concerning Enrollment, Financial Assistance, and Financial Obligations
Students should attend the first day of class or contact the instructor prior to the first class. Failure to do this
may result in being dropped from the class (see below).
o Students receiving any type of financial assistance (loans, grants, fellowships, scholarships, etc)
should contact the Financial Aid Office before making any changes to their schedule. Schedule
changes without prior approval may result in the loss of award for the current and future terms.
Students who have not paid fees on time and/or are not correctly registered for this class, and whose names
do not appear on official class rolls generated by the Admissions and Records Office will not receive credit
for this course.
2. Policies concerning Cancellations
For information related to the cancellation of classes due to inclement weather, please check the colleges
Web site at www.ws.edu or call the colleges student information line, 1-800-225-4770, option 1;
InfoConnect, (423) 581-1233, option 1045; the Sevier County Campus, (865) 774-5800, option 7; or the
Greeneville/Greene County Center for Higher Education, (423) 798-7940, option 4.
o Also, please monitor local TV and radio stations for weather-related announcements. For
additional information on this policy see the college catalog.
In the event of a pandemic or other college-declared critical event that impacts the colleges ability to
proceed with academic course activities as planned, the college reserves the right to alter this course plan.
o In the event of a pandemic or other event, please refer to the colleges home web page,
www.ws.edu or call InfoConnect, (423) 581-1233 for further information.
3. Policies concerning Classroom Conduct, Plagiarism, and Academic Honesty
WSCC Catalog Notification Statement:
o All students attending Walters State Community College, regardless of the time and location of the
class, must abide by the rules and regulations outlined in the current (2013-14) Walters State
Catalog / Student Handbook and the current Walters State Timetable of Classes.
o A copy of the Catalog / Handbook and the Timetable of Classes may be obtained from the
Admissions Office on the main campus or at any of our off-campus sites. You may also access the
Catalog / Handbook on-line at the following web address: http://www.ws.edu/catalog
Civility
o Especially as it regards hypothetical cases which most closely approximate real world issues (e.g.,
the question of abortion, capital punishment, and so forth), there is a predictable tendency for

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discussion to become heated. As such, students are expected (indeed, required) to be maximally
respectful during discussion of such topics.
o This is not to discourage passionate beliefs about certain topics, and rather to encourage a
classroom environment conducive to productive, civil dialogue. As Plato and Aristotle insisted,
cultivating our capacity for developing the right kind of emotional states (to Love and Hate Well)
is equally as important as cultivating reason and intellect.
Academic Honesty
o Each student is responsible for his/her own personal integrity in academic life. While there is no
affirmative duty to report the academic dishonesty of another, each student, given the dictates of
his/her own conscience, may choose to act on any violation of the Honor Statement.
o Students are also responsible for any acts of plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the intellectual property
of someone else without giving proper credit. The undocumented use of someone elses words or
ideas in any medium of communication (unless such information is recognized as common
knowledge) is a serious offense, subject to disciplinary action that may include failure in a course
and/or dismissal from the university.

Specific examples of plagiarism are
i. Copying without proper documentation (quotation marks and a citation) written or
spoken words, phrases, or sentences from any source.
ii. Summarizing without proper documentation (usually a citation) ideas from another
source (unless such information is recognized as common knowledge).
iii. Borrowing facts, statistics, graphs, pictorial representations, or phrases without
acknowledging the source (unless such information is recognized as common
knowledge).
iv. Collaborating on a graded assignment without instructors approval.
v. Submitting work, either in whole or part, created by a professional service and used
without attribution (e.g., paper, speech, bibliography, or photograph).
vi. Plagiarism, cheating, copying and other forms of academic dishonesty (as detailed above)
are prohibited and may result in the assignment of an F.
4. Policies concerning the use of Multimedia Devices
During class you may experience a near overwhelming compulsion to check e-mail, twitter, text message,
facebook, myspace, etc., on a laptop or other multimedia device dont panic! Recent studies have indicated
that while this is a symptom of habitual rudeness, it is a condition that can nevertheless be reversed by simply
resisting the urge. Students who are unableto resist this urge may be asked to leave in order to contemplate
appropriate uses of electronic devices.
o Cellular devices must be turned to the non-audible mode during class unless there is some
extenuating circumstance warranting otherwise (in which case, please inform me prior to class).
o Browsing the internet during class is fully inappropriate and inexcusable.
o If you are uncertain about appropriate usages of such technologies, please see me.
5. Policies concerning Make-Ups
Because life is often unpredictable, and because what happens to us is sometimes beyond our control, missing
vital dates or being unable to finish an assignment on time may warrant a make-up at the discretion of the
instructor.
o In the event that the instructor judges that a make-up is appropriate, the student should be aware
that the difficulty of said assignment may be greater than otherwise so as to account for
considerations of fairness (e.g., taking a test a week later entails an extra week of study time, which
students who took the test on time did not benefit from, and therefore make-up exams may be
scaled in difficulty appropriate to such considerations).
6. Procedures concerning Disability & Other Assistance
Students with disabilities must register with the Department of Services for Individuals with Disabilities in
College Center (CCEN), Room 210 (phone 423-585-6892) if they need any special facilities, services, or
considerations.
o Furthermore, any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a
disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs

Spring 2014
Students in need of tutoring assistance are encouraged to contact the Office of Tutoring located in the College
Center (CCEN), Room 221A. The phone number is: 423-585-6920. Or, the IET Helpdesk by phone at
Morristown: 423-318-2742. Or, on-line access at http://helpdesk.ws.edu/.
7. Policies concerning Confidentiality, Communication & Student Responsibility
The student is responsible for Anycommunication and/or instructions provided by the instructor to the
student, whether verbally in class, or in the hall ways, or during office consultations, or written on the
classroom white/black board, or written electronically via email or posted online, or delivered by archaic
means in some possible world such as by carrier pigeon or telegraph.
o In other words, I will almost always respond to the utterance I didnt know I had to do that! (or
any utterance of the like entailing culpable ignorance) by pointing to the Communication &
Student Responsibility portion of the syllabus.
I will regard communication between myself (the instructor) and you (the student) as confidential, providing
certain conditions are not in place (e.g., conditions where, in my judgment, you pose a risk of harm to
yourself or others, or where rightfully compelled by some suitable authority).
o Note: Due to the sensitive nature of grades, I will not discuss particular grades with you via email
without a signed release form from you (ideally, you would want to speak with me personally
during my office hours).
8. Syllabus Caveat(s)
This syllabus is, in essence, a contract between you (the student) and me (the instructor).
However, while I will make every reasonable effort to provide sufficient notice for changes that
are in my judgment ceteris paribus necessary, I nevertheless reserve the right to change the
syllabus for any reason at any time.
The student is responsible for knowing the content of the syllabus
I will make every reasonable effort to explain your obligations and to leave no requirement
unexplained but even so, sometimes things are lost in translation. In such cases it is ultimately
the responsibility of the student to ask questions of clarification when unclear.

Spring 2014
[vi.] Grade Distribution, Grading Scale, Course Requirements & Weighted Totals [400 maximum points]

Course Requirements Maximum Points Weighted Total To Earn Full Credit
Essay # 1 on the self: Who am I? 50 12.5% See addendum # 1
Essay # 2 on the self: Why do I believe? 50 12.5% See addendum # 2
Essay # 3 on the self: Who will I be? 50 12.5% See addendum # 3
Class Presentation Requirement 75 18.75% See addendum # 4
Class Participation Requirement 75 18.75% See addendum # 5
Final Essay: An Argument for the Self 100 25% See addendum # 6

[vii.] Class Schedule
1
st
Class (4/17): Ground Work for Phil (244): Introduction to Ethics
General Introductions Welcome to the Class!
Course Design What you can expect.
Introduction to Logic
o Basics of Logic
o Soundness & Validity
o Counter-Examples
o Reductio Arguments
Introduction to Morality & Moral Theory
o Moral Absolutism (FE, p. 61-72 & EL, p. 63-71)
o Moral Nihilism (FE, p. 306-17)
o Moral Objectivity (FE, p. 320-37)
o Moral Subjectivity (EL, p. 188-97)
o Moral Relativism (EL, p. 198-206)
Introduction to Ethics & Metaethics
o Ethical Pluralism & Absolutism (FE, p. 214-30)
o Rossianism & Particularism (FE, p. 232-50 & EL, p. 126-137)
o Ethical Relativism (FE, p. 289-304)
o Critique of Ethics (EL, p. 175-187)

A = 360-400 B = 320-359 C = 270-319 D = 240-320 F = 00-239

Spring 2014
2
nd
class (4/24): The Good Life & The Pursuit of Happiness (Essay #1 Due)
Theory(s) for Discussion:
o Hedonism (FE, p. 21-56).
Student Presenter: ________________________
o Epicurus (FE, p. 11-6)
o J.S. Mill (EL, p. 17-26)
o Richard Taylor (EL, p. 37-48)
o Robert Nozick (EL, p. 33-6)
Cases for Application:
o Puppies, Pigs and People: Eating Meat and Marginal Cases (EL, p.
307-22)
o The Survival Lottery (EL, p. 272-81)
o Why Shouldnt Tommy and Jim Have Sex? A Defense of
Homosexuality (EL, p. 237-50)
o Letter from Birmingham City Jail (EL, p. 408-20)

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3
rd
class (5/1): Self-Interest & The Interests of Others (Essay # 2 Due)
o Psychological Egoism (FE, p. 89-101)
o Natural Law Theory (FE, p. 74-87)
o Ethical Egoism (FE, p. 104-15)
o Contract Theory (FE, p. 187-212)
o Thomas Hobbes (EL, p. 115-125)
o The Ethics of Respect for Nature (EL, p. 323-35)
o The Morality of Euthanasia (EL, p. 266-71)
o A Defense of Abortion (EL, p. 351-63)
o Why Abortion is Immoral (EL, p. 364-74)

Spring 2014
4
th
class (5/8): Deontology & Consequentialism (Essay # 3 Due)
o Consequentialism (FE, p. 117-52)
o Fairness & Justice (FE, p. 154-65)
o Autonomy & Respect (FE, p. 168-84)
o J.J.C Smart (EL, p. 92-101)
o Immanuel Kant (EL, p. 102-14)
o The Singer Solution to World Poverty (EL, p. 229-51)
o Terrorism: A Critique of Excess (EL, p. 282-92)
o Should the Ticking Bomb Terrorist Be Tortured? (EL, p. 293-306)
o Americas Unjust Drug War (EL, p. 421-35)

Spring 2014
5
th
class (5/15): Moral Character & Relationships (Final Essay Due)
o Virtue Ethics (FE, p. 252-70)
o Feminist Ethics (FE, p. 272-85)
o Aristotle (EL, p. 138-49)
o Hilde Lindemann (EL, p. 150-64)
o The Conscience of Huckleberry Finn (EL, p. 251-65)
o Ideals of Human Excellence and Preserving Natural Environments
(EL, p. 336-50)
o Licensing Parents (EL, p. 436-49)
o What Do Grown Children Owe Their Parents? (EL, p. 450-6)

Spring 2014
[viii.] Opportunities in Philosophy
At Walter State Community College

At the University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Walter State Community College offers an Associate of Arts in Philosophy, and an
Associate of Arts in Philosophy & Religious Studies, which involves reasoning and
thinking critically about all areas of life; science, religion, art, politics, and morality.
Its purpose is to understand and evaluate our most basic beliefs and values, and to
integrate them into a coherent view of ourselves and the world. Please contact your
philosophy professor, or Dr. Greg Bock (#423.318.2748, or #423.585.2748; email:
Greg.Bock@ws.edu), for more information about opportunities in this exciting career.
For continuing education, please visit the University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Philosophy Department website (philosophy.utk.edu) for a variety of resources helpful
to those studying Philosophy as well as information about UTKs BA, MA and PhD
degree programs (including two new major concentrations: Legal & Political
Philosophy, Philosophy of Science & Medicine) and other opportunities for continuing
educationincluding scholarships, annual essay contest, and a Philosophy Club.

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