Dr. Anton Petrenko
petrenko@yorku.ca
Office Hours:  Fridays 1:00 - 2:00 (by appointment)

This is an introduction to applied ethics course, focusing on the application of ethical theories to controversial public issues. Specifically, this course will introduce the students to traditional ethical frameworks and methods of their application. We will proceed to examine various arguments and often opposed positions in the following  areas: social justice and wealth distribution; immigration/open border debate; affirmative action and preferential treatment; racism and ethnocentrism; drug decriminalization; ecology and environment; just war doctrine and terrorism; abortion; and euthanasia. This course combines a strong focus on learning the actual application of moral principles and frameworks to the analysis of any ethical issue with an introduction to the texts and arguments developed by ethicists in the outlined areas.

This is a completely online course--there are no scheduled meetings.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

This course requires the use of a computer that has reliable internet, microphone, software required for the use of word documents and ppts, as well as email application or browser. It also requires access to Zoom recordings and Zoom platform. Ensuring the provision of reliable internet connection for the timely submission of assignments, the taking of quizzes, and reading online articles and watching lecture video recordings is entirely the responsibility of the student.

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

There is no textbook. All readings, articles, links to articles, and ppts are posted under each lecture.

Evaluation Structure:

The course evaluation combines five end of the week MCQ/short-answer quizzes and two 24-hour take home applied ethics assignments. There is also an opportunity to score up to 4 bonus points in forum debate participation (see bonus structure below). Each of the MCQ/short-answer quizzes is worth 12% and roughly covers the two lectures and the readings of the week at the end of which it takes place.

• Quiz 1 (12%)                                          July  15th    (11:00 AM-11:20 AM)
• Quiz 2 (12%)                                          July 22nd    (11:00 AM-11:20 AM)
• Quiz 3 (12%)                                          July 29th     (11:00 AM-11:20 AM)
• Quiz 4 (12%)                                          August 5th    (11:00 AM-11:20 AM)
• Quiz 5 (12%)                                          August 12th  (11:00 AM-11:20 AM)
• Assignment 1 (48-hour) 20%                 July 18th (11:00 AM July 18th-July 20th)
• Assignment 2 (48-hour) 20%                  August 14th    (August 14th-August 16th)
• Bonus (up to 4%)*                                  closes August 17^th

Note: missing a quiz deadline will result in the grade of 0. However, students will be given an opportunity to do an extra quiz (quiz 6) at the end of the classes which can replace one of the tests with the lowest score (or score of 0 if missed.

Bonus*

In this course, the students will have an opportunity to score up to 4% bonus points to improve their grade. No other extra assignments or bonuses will be available. The bonus points can be gained by a combination of the following options:

Option 1 (moral dilemma analysis). 1.5 bonus points can be gained by posting a moral dilemma (moral issue), drawn from current events, news, or other context and applying moral analysis to it that results in a grounded moral judgement. The analysis, 500-600 words, must be based on moral theories (utilitarian theory or/and respect for persons theory) that will be covered in class. Posting analysis does not get an automatic point—the analysis must be thoughtful and show competence and insight in applying the rules of analysis. A student can score up to 3 bonus points by posting two such analyses.

Option 2 (moral dilemma discussion). One bonus point can be scored by contributing to the discussion and analysis of the moral dilemma’s posted by other students on discussion forums (under Option 1). Students will be able to gain the point by posing questions or challenging moral analysis of presented by the author of the moral dilemma analysis or providing an alternative analysis. The full mark is not automatic—it will depend on how insightful the challenge is and whether it reflects knowledge of the moral principles covered in class. To get the full point there must be at least 5-6 such discussion contributions under different moral dilemma posts. Only one bonus point can be scored under this option.

Overall, the four bonus points can be gained by a combination of these 2 options. All discussions and challenges must be grounded in reasoning and not be simply an expression of opinion or a feeling. All posts must be respectful and not involve personal attacks or denigrating or offensive language.

IMPORTANT!

This is a completely asynchronous course! There are no regularly scheduled meetings in person or online. All lectures are delivered by means of uploaded recorded lecture videos (relying on Zoom). Online assignments and quizzes however will be timed and will require logging in online at a particular time and doing the assignments. Access to reliable internet and computers are absolutely essential and entirely the responsibility of the student. Because this is a compressed course, the learning process is very intense and requires a lot of effort and discipline!  There is a high amount of weekly reading material and two 3-hour lectures each week. It is absolutely essential to manage the time properly and keep up with the readings and the lectures.

This course has the following objectives:

1. -Increase theoretical knowledge of the traditional moral frameworks and principles, their strengths and limitations
2. -Instruct in practical application of the traditional moral frameworks to new cases/controversies
3. -Introduce students to major arguments and positions in some areas of ethical controversy (see description)
4. -Increase student's awareness of the complexity of moral decision-making and its philosophical underpinnings.

WEEKLY READINGS & CLASS SCHEDULE:

 1: Relativism and Egoism

Introduction: In the introductory lecture we will discuss the nature or morality, focusing on the distinction between moral and cultural relativism. We will talk about structure of moral theories and discuss ethical and psychological egoism.

2: Libertarianism and Utilitarian Theory

Reading: C. E. Harris. Utilitarianism

In this lecture, drawing on the discussion of egoism, we will look at the libertarian approach to morality. We will proceed to discuss the merits and shortcomings of an influential approach within ethics—consequentialism. We will look at a form of consequentialism—the utilitarian theory.

3: Respect for Persons Theory

Reading: C. E. Harris. Respect for Persons Theory

In this lecture we will discuss the merits and shortcomings of the deontological approach to ethics, grounded in duties and obligations. We will discuss the nature of positive and negative obligations, moral agency, forfeiture, and autonomy. We will conclude by discussing the Human Rights approach to morality.

4: Applying Moral Theory Tutorial (no readings)

6: Abortion and Drug Decriminalization.

Reading: Jarvis Thompson: In defense of Abortion

Reading: Douglas Husak. Four Points About Drug Decriminalization

In this lecture, we will focus on two topics: we will start with the discussion of various perspectives on the nature of reproductive rights in moral context. We will connect this discussion to the debate on the limits of positive obligations. Is helping others an obligation or a duty? Where is the line between a duty and supererogatory duty?

Next, we will proceed to discuss the issue of drug policies and drug decriminalization. During this discussion, we will also raise the issues related to morality of paternalism and the extent or limits of the obligation to protect others from harm.

Recommended: John Stuart Mill. "Freedom of Action"

Recommended: Robert Goodin. The Ethics of Smoking

7: Euthanasia and Doctrine of Doing and Allowing

Reading: Michael Tooley. Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. pp. 326-341.

This lecture will be dedicated to the perspectives on the issue of passive and active euthanasia and assisted suicide. We will consider a number of perspectives and connect the discussion to the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing. Is it worse to do harm than allowing harm to occur? Is injecting someone with poison morally the same as disconnecting the life-support?

Recommended: James Rachel: Active and Passive Euthanasia

8: Social Justice and Distribution of Wealth

Reading: Robert Nozick. Distributive Justice (excerpts, pp. 45-49; 57-61) 

This lecture will focus on the issues of poverty, equality, and social organization. We will discuss various theories of justice, such as libertarian and egalitarian perspectives, and arguments for morally justified wealth distribution. We will also discuss conceptions of property rights.

Recommended: Trudy Govier. The Right to eat and Duty to Work (pp. 1-18)

9: Terrorism, Just War, and Doctrine of Double Effect

Reading: C. A. J. Coady. War and Terrorism. pp. 254-266. . 

In this lecture, we will focus our discussion on military conflict and issues of security. Under what conditions is war justified, if ever? Is there a moral justification for terrorism? Can torture be used for national security? What is collateral damage and is it morally permissible? We will finish our discussion by considering the Doctrine of Double Effect.

Recommended: Hobbes' Sovereignty (excerpt from Leviathan)

10: Racial Discrimination and Affirmative Action

Reading: Pojman. The Case Against Affirmative Action (pp 1-16)

In this lecture we will discuss the issues of race and discrimination, as well as policies of affirmative action and preferential treatment. We will look at various arguments and criticisms of these policies and proceed to consider the distinctions between racism, nativism, and ethnocentrism.

Recommended: Bernard Boxill and Jan Boxill. Affirmative Action. pp. 118-127

11. Racism and Nationalism

Reading: Michael Blake. Immigration. pp. 224-237. 

Reading: Anthony Appiah Kwame. Racisms pp. 389-398

In this lecture, we will discuss the issue of nationalism, raising the question whether we owe extra moral obligations towards compatriots than to the rest of humanity. We will proceed to discuss the issues connected to immigration, political secession, as well as humanitarian aid during famine, war, and other disasters.

12: Humanitarian Aid

Reading: Onora O'Neill. A Kantian Approach to World Hunger (pp. 677-682)

Reading: Peter Singer: Famine, Affluence, and Morality

In this lecture, we will focus on the issues arising from uneven economic development and global inequality. We will look at some criticisms of the the effect of global trade on native cultures, and the effect of economic development, privatization, and capitalist forms of production on societies and commons. We will discuss weather we have moral obligations to distant others, particularly in the context of famine and/or economic development.

Week 10. Debate 4: Given that steps towards preventing Greenhouse Effect must be taken, do the developed world countries have a moral obligation to carry the heavier level of burden in cutting their carbon emissions relative to the developing world? (Yes position/No position)

13: Moral Status of Animals and Ecology

Reading: Peter Singer. All Animals are Equal   (pp. 162-171)

Reading: William Baxter. The Case for Optimal Pollution (pp. 1-6)

The final lecture will focus on the morals status of animals and the environments. Do animals have rights? Do environments and ecosystems? What moral arguments can be advanced to justify limiting economic development for the sake of sustainability?

Recommended: Andrew Light. Environmental Ethics. pp. 633-649