Catalog Description
This course is a philosophical survey of the moral issues that arise as a result of human interaction with, and exploitation of, nature. The views of traditional and contemporary Western and Eastern philosophers will be examined, as well as eco-feminist and Native American perspectives. The student will be invited to explore such questions as: What is the relationship of human beings to the rest of nature? What does it mean to live in harmony with nature? Are humans more valuable than animals? Do animals have rights? if so, to what extent? What, if anything, is the value of wilderness and wild animals? To what extent are we morally bound to use technology in ecologically responsible manner? The answers to such questions will be related to specific contemporary issues such as abortion, genetic engineering, famine, animal experimentation, hunting and trapping, nuclear technology, and pollution.
Prerequisite
Recommend eligibility for English 1A
Text
No department requirement
Course Objectives
Course Content
I. WHAT IS ETHICS? 2 weeks Concerned with value (good and bad) and obligation (right and wrong), as far as these can be determined by reason alone Descriptive ethics vs normative ethics vs meta-ethics Moral value vs non-moral value Rights and duties Types of ethical theories: consequentialist or teleological (maximize non-moral value); non-consequentialist or deontological II. MAJOR NORMATIVE SYSTEMS IN WESTERN PHILOSOPHY, AND POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS TO ACCOMODATE NATURE AND ANIMALS 4 weeks Aristotle Kant Mill III. EASTERN AND WESTERN PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTIONS OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF HUMANS TO ANIMALS AND INANIMATE OBJECTS 5 weeks E.g., Aristotle, Descartes, Leibniz, Kant, the concept of ahimsa in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism The "great chain of being" The concept of harmony with nature - Native American perspectives The value of wilderness and wild animals Eco-feminism and deep ecology IV. HUMANS AND ANIMALS 3 weeks The concept of "human nature" The challenge of mechanism and determinism: what's so special about being a person? Teleological vs mechanistic metaphysics Vitalism and the mind-body problem: what's so special about living things? Behaviorism and animal subjectivity Applications of analysis to specific issues such as hunting and trapping and animal experimentation. V. TECHNOLOGY AND ETHICS 3 weeks To what extent are we morally bound to use technology in an ecologically responsible manner? Eugenics: why or why not? Application of the analysis to specific issues such as reproductive technologies (embryonic sex selection, surrogacy, fetal tissue research, etc.), and nuclear technology.
General Requirements
Completion of required reading and final exam. Other requirements are determined by instructor. These may include completion of one or more papers, oral reports, other written exams, journal assignments, participation in class discussion, etc.
Evaluation
In accordance with Title V regulations, there must be at least one substantial (greater than one paragraph) writing assignment. Generally evaluation is based primarily on written papers and essay examinations.
Suggested Instructional Methods and Materials
Primarily lecture and discussion. These can be supplemented by films, videos, guest speakers, class debates, etc., as deemed appropriate and desirable by the individual instructor. Readings should include primary source material as much as possible.