AP/PHIL4070 3.0 M: Seminar in Moral Philosophy
Offered by: PHIL
Session
Winter 2020
Term
W
Format
SEMR
Instructor
Calendar Description / Prerequisite / Co-Requisite
An intensive examination of particular problems in moral philosophy, or intensive studies of the writings of individual moral philosophers. Topics vary from year to year. Prerequisites: At least nine credits in philosophy including AP/PHIL 3020 3.00 or AP/PHIL 3110 3.00. Course credit exclusion: GL/PHIL 4237 3.00 (may be waived with permission of the Department).
Course Website
Many courses utilize Moodle, York University's course website system. If your course is using Moodle, refer to the image below to access it.
Professor Devlin Russell
devlin@yorku.ca
Office Location: S424 Ross Building
Phone Number: (416) 736-2100 Ext. 77584
Office Hours: TBA
If you’ve encountered deductive logic, you’ve encountered a representation of theoretical reasoning: the premises of a deductive argument are reasons to believe the conclusion. With practical reasoning, the premises are reasons to act. But is this reasoning fundamentally different from theoretical reasoning? If so, in what ways? Is it even genuine reasoning at all? This course will look at various answers to these questions. Understanding which answers are best will help us understand the place of argument and debate in making choices about our life and taking social action.
Posted on Moodle
Weekly Writing Assignments 15%
Presentation 20%
Compressed Essay (900–1200 words) 20%
Final Essay (3000–4000 words) 35%
Participation 10%
Seminar
Students will be challenged to seriously consider which answers to these questions are the most rationally persuasive. This will involve learning and employing the fundamental tools of philosophy—namely, thoughtful and attentive reading, critical analysis and thinking, and precise and clear writing. Students will be expected to have a good grasp of the positions and arguments for them, and be able to employ the above tools in demonstrating that grasp.
- Academic Honesty
- Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Religious Observance
- Grading Scheme and Feedback
- 20% Rule
No examinations or tests collectively worth more than 20% of the final grade in a course will be given during the final 14 calendar days of classes in a term. The exceptions to the rule are classes which regularly meet Friday evenings or on Saturday and/or Sunday at any time, and courses offered in the compressed summer terms. - Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
