Introduction to Virtue Ethics

Objective

• Examine the principles of Virtue Ethics

Agenda

• No Written Warm-Up.  
• Virtue Ethics Assignment (see right bar) - due Monday @ Start of Class
• Discussion
• Work Time
• Work on your projects!
• See yesterday's optional modification.

The Categorical Imperative

Objective

• Evaluate Kant's conception of freedom and ethical duty.

Agenda

• No Written Warm-Up.   Take some time to appreciate everyone's costumes.
• Kant 
• The Categorical Imperative
• First Formulation
• Second Formulation
• The Murderer Problem
• Lesson in Lying
• Work Time
• A modification to your project...
• You need to represent specific positions in your project.  But you don't need to do two philosophers anymore, exactly.
• Option A:  At least two philosophers representing opposing positions on the issue.  One must be from the unit list.
• Option B: At least two forms of moral reasoning (Categorical, Consequentialist, or Virtue Ethics).  You should reference at least one philosopher from the unit list or independent research (not someone from a previous unit).

What is Freedom?

Objective

• Evaluate different views on personal and political ethical debates

Agenda

• Warm-Up #25: Define freedom.
• Utilitarianism Clarification
• An argument for justice from a Utilitarian perspective
• Kant - What is freedom? (PowerPoint)
• Work Time

Ethics Project (Day 1)

Objective

• Evaluate different views on personal and political ethical debates

Agenda

• Warm-Up #24: Do you agree with Bentham (it's all relative) or Mill (some things are better than others) in the debate over higher and lower pleasures?
• Utilitarianism Wrap-Up
• Higher vs. Lower Pleasures Discussion
• What does it mean for public policy?
• Work Time
• Pick Topic
• Preliminary Research
• Facts, Info
• Conventional Viewpoints
• Brainstorm Philosophers
• Ask Mr. M!
• Vote

Utilitarianism (Day 3)

Objective

• Analyze the utilitarian position on ethical decisions

Agenda

• Warm-Up #23: Briefly describe one criticism of utilitarianism.
• Utilitarianism
• Quantifying Utility
• Higher vs. Lower Pleasures
• Work Time
• Vote

Utilitarianism (Day 2)

Objective

• Analyze the utilitarian position on ethical decisions

Agenda

• Warm-Up #22: Is there a fundamental difference between the "switch" and "fat man" examples in the Trolley Problem?  Would you do the same action in either case?  Justify your choice, and explain any inconsistency between the two decisions.
• Utilitarianism
• Queen vs. Dudley & Stephens
• Quantifying Utility
• Work Time

Utilitarianism (Day 1)

Objective

• Analyze the utilitarian position on ethical decisions

Agenda

• Warm-Up #21: When you ask yourself, "What's the right thing to do" in a situation, what sort of factors do you consider?
• Utilitarianism
• Trolley Problem
• Doctor
• Moral Reasoning
• Bentham
• Queen vs. Dudley & Stephens
• Quantifying Utility
• Work Time