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Course: Values and Ethics—Section
1--13h00 to
14h00 Mod 22, Rm. 210
Semester: Spring, 2013
Teacher: Dr. Reinhold Schlieper
Office: Tomcat Mod 2, 216-H
Telephone: Home: 1-386-437-8402--Office: 386-226-6664
| Life's
easy to live for someone unscrupulous, cunning as a crow, corrupt, back-biting, forward, & brash; But for someone who's constantly scrupulous, cautious, observant, sincere, pure in his livelihood, clean in his pursuits, it's hard. -Dhammapada, 18 |
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We shall not cease from exploration T. S. Eliot, Little Gidding |
It does not matter whether you are a theist or atheist, what matters is sincerity, forgiveness, and compassion. His Holiness the Dalai Lama |
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Few men [people] think; yet all will have opinions. Bishop George Berkeley |
Freiheit ist immer die Freiheit der Andersdenkenden, sich zu äußern. Rosa Luxemburg |
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Marge: Homer, it's very easy to criticize . . . . Homer: And fun, too! The Simpsons |
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. Attributed to Voltaire [François-Marie Arouet] |
Teaching is a matter of setting up an environment where learning can occur. Albert Einstein |
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The universe is my country and the human family is my tribe. Khalil Gibran |
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"Believe
nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your
teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But
whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind,
conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings--that
doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your
guide."--Buddha [Gautama Siddharta] (563 to 483 B.C.E.), |
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| Subir Sachdev in "Strange and Stringy" [Scientific American, January 2013]: For my purposes, the picture of strings dancing in some higher-dimensional spacetime is not important. it does not even matter to me whether string theory is a correct explanation of particle physics at very high energies. What is significant is that the duality lets me exchange a mathematically intractable problem for an easy one. | ||
The departmental syllabus, which includes objectives and goals, is available from my faculty site at the syllabi page and here. Please look it up; it is part of this syllabus. To return to this document, close the window. If you wish to have a copy of the departmental syllabus, feel free to print it through your browser. Be sure to read it carefully; there may be a test.
University-Required Insert About Plagiarism
Please look up the statement about plagiarism also. Follow the same instructions as above. Again, feel free to print a copy of the statement if you wish to refer to it during the course. You may also have questions from that document in your syllabus test. Penalties: If you plagiarize an assignment, please note that you will lose all credits in the assignment category where the plagiarism has taken place; if the instance of your plagiarism is your second offense at Embry-Riddle University, you will lose all credit for the course in its entirety; and if the instance of plagiarism is your third offense, then the University will dismiss you from all classes and programs.
You may re-use papers that you have used in other classes or that you have submitted before; however, my requirements often differ substantially from the requirements you may have had to work with when first you submitted that paper. I recommend therefore that you work closely with me also when you re-submit an "old" paper.
Textbooks:
Grading Scale:
I will use the following scale: A = 90 - 100; B
= 80 - <90; C = 70 - <80; D = 60 - <70; F = <60.
Composition of Course Grade:
Midterm
Examination:.................................................15 percent
Final Examination ......................................................15
percent
Special
Tasks...20
percent [plus endless extra credit on your terms]
The "Special Tasks" category consists
of a mixture of special-effort credits: presentations (max: 40 points [2
presentations @ 20 points each, and 2 @ 10 each]); film
reviews (max: 20 pts. [You may upgrade these scores; additional points for
particularly challenging films may be available.]), acting as the group's secretary (max: 15
pts. or three times); letter to the editor (Avion:
5 pts, local paper: 10 pts., paper with national or international circulation:
15 pts.--max: 30 pts. or two letters--You may upgrade, say, an Avion letter with
a local-paper letter, etc.); acting as leader and coordinator of a presentation group--max: 5
pts. for one such task. I will announce other activities--such as comments,
"best person" status, etc.--to let you earn these points
during any one semester. Overall ceiling: 80 points. If you gather
more than 80 points, this assignment category will be truly "extra credit."
I will try to demonstrate how to check on such credits.
Term Paper [based on FIRST presentation] .................20
percent
Regular Quizzes..........................................................20
percent
Attendance..................................................................10
percent
Note that the attendance grade relies on the sum of excused and unexcused attendance demerits. In other words, I reward you for the time you were in class by giving you a grade for the times of your attendance. You also can take five absences as "business days"; however, once you have reached the sixth unexcused absence, you will have failed the course. Excuses must be in writing from a responsible party and must show that your absence was subject to forces clearly beyond your control. Attendance at family festivals, participation in social events, picking up friends from the airport, all count as absences that you had a choice about, not as absences compelled by powers beyond your control. Use your five free business-days for such tasks. Plan these days at the beginning of the semester. Excused absences will require additional submissions to show that the course-related tasks have been accomplished despite the absence. These make-up assignments may be in form of supplementary essays as selected from the special-tasks options.
I do wish to encourage you to stop by my office (216 H) or to call me at home if there are any course-related problems or difficulties. My home phone number is: 1-386-437-8402. (First person who calls me around midnight flunks.) Office: ext. 226-6664.
Teaching and Office Schedule of REINHOLD SCHLIEPER is available from my web page at the schedule page. Feel free to print it or to refer to it frequently.
Detailed Outline of Assignments
Typical Week in the Life of this Course although this "typicalness" may change some in the summer or in evening class:
After you’ve read a chapter, I will begin by reviewing relevant facts with you; I will rely on your contributions. You will have opportunities to ask questions of me and of classmates. Then, you may have a group activity to apply your reading. So, be sure to review the assigned chapters BEFORE you come to class. After the group activity or instead of group activity, we will have discussions that are based on your presentations, on your reading, and on your relevant research.
For all important rules, regulations, and extremely useful information, go to that page, please.
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January 9 and 11 |
Quiz 1: Fallacies and Logic! Take it outside of class. Discussion of Syllabus--Meeting new friends Review of Fallacies--Reflection: Think of examples of such fallacy in REAL life. Some group-work may be required. Keep your list of fallacies next to you for the rest of the semester. Whenever you detect one such fallacy in use, you may earn one additional points for explaining and identifying it. Identifying fallacies is a priority item. When you hear a fallacy in use, shout, "Point of Order!" All others will immediately yield to you so you can explain your observation. If you have not yet read the fallacies in the booklet, we'll do some general review of concepts that we'll use in the course. I'll introduce those concepts from the ethics menu. |
| Let's also review The Thinker's Guide to Ethics. We may also use it as we do the "Review of Fallacies." The rest of the time will be dedicated to reviewing on-line hand-outs. | |
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January 14, 16 and 18 |
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| Quiz 1 comes down; Quiz 2 goes up: Morality and Self-Interest, pp. 1 through 15 in Martin | |
| Any questions about deceptive reasoning? Let's look at a few more examples from real life. | |
| Some example problems in ethics: Pre-Test from Peter Singer and a sample from animal ethics. Sign-ups for syllabus entries. Other introductory items from the "ethics menu." | |
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January 21, 23, and 25
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Dr. Martin Luther King Day--No classes. |
| Quiz 2 goes down; Quiz 3 goes up: Theories of Ethics, pp. 16 to 49 in Martin.--Review of basic concepts in ethics: Ethics in relation to other activities, moral community, glossary, decision format, and more from the "ethics menu." | |
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Other items from the Ethics Menu--Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. |
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| January 28, 30 and February 1 | |
| Quiz 3 goes down; Quiz 3A (concepts from the handouts) will go up--Review of Moral Philosophies and Philosophers.--Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. What does science have to tell ethical theorists about mirror neurons? What are the ethical implications? Report and Perspectives: _Robert Kessler_ Is Free Will Possible in a Scientific Universe? Analysis: _Justin Weltmer_ | |
| Review of the Stoics. What am I doing if I meet something stoically? Reports possible--Select reports from the separate handout, please.Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Is Martyrdom Ethical? Analysis by _Matthew Vaughan_ | |
| Focus on Aristotle's values and virtues. We will also try to review Kant's Categorical Imperative. Finally, we'll review act utilitarians (Jeremy Bentham) and rule utilitarians (John Stuart Mill, Peter Singer, and more), possibly G.E. Moore.--Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. | |
| February 4, 6, and 8 | Quiz 3A goes down; Quiz 4 goes up: Multicultural Issues and Religion, pp. 51 to 76.--Relevant reports. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Report and Analysis of "Soul on Ice" by _Leon Robinson_ |
| Volunteers: 1. Is Racism Increasing or Decreasing? How do these facts push your stance on the following topics? Be sure to get your facts first: _Joseph Villarini_. 2. Pro: Actions to Achieve Racial Fairness; specify the actions. Consider some form of solving the problem. Nope! I do not want to hear how "affirmative action" doesn't work! Solve the problem: _Leon Robinson_; 3. Con: No Need for Such Actions; We've Achieved Fairness. Be sure to back this one up with statistics and observations that will help you make your case: Bryan "B-Ray" Ray _; relevant reports: Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Sundown Towns--How do they affect today's ethics? Opinionator: _Justin Weltmer_; Gauging Racial Justice by Population Percentages--What do these tell us? Opinionator: _Gabino Guerrero_. Leader: _Joseph Villarini_ | |
| 1. Pro: Ethics needs religion: Andrew Lytle 2. Ethics does not need religion: _Ryan Marshall_ 3. Which religion is best for ethical development? Why? ________________ 4. Is there a religion that is harmful to ethical development? _David Armas_. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Leader: _David Armas__ | |
| February 11, 13, and 15 | Quiz 4 goes down; Quiz 5 goes up: Feminism and Identity, pp. 77 to 103.--Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Current position of women in industry. Analysis and conclusions: _Robert Eichinger_ Can We Trust the Media? How Can We Decide? Analysis: _Greg Mast_ |
| 1. Does and Should Ethnic Identity Contribute to Our Sense of Self? Should it? _Matthew Vaughan_ 2. Does gender identity determine our sense of self? Should it? _Justin Miller_ 3. What is feminist thinking? Be sure to do your research: ___________________; Should Women Serve in the Military? Analysis by _Bruce Federico_ Leader: _Matthew Vaughan_. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. | |
| Reports invited or review of Mill and other philosophers that we didn't look at earlier--if we have time for them. Or case studies. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. | |
| February 18, 20, and 22 |
This is a good time to start thinking about our midterm examination! Let's develop midterm groups and go over the concepts. |
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Presidents Day--No classes |
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| Quiz 5 goes down; Quiz 6 goes up: Abortion and Suicide, pp. 105 to 129. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. The Ethics of Genetic Engineering; Analysis by _Joseph Villarini_ | |
| Volunteers: 1. Pro Choice (moral obligations as private decisions): _Bryan "B-Ray" Ray_; 2. Con Abortion (moral obligation to abort NO fetuses): Leon Robinson_; 3. Pro Abortion (moral obligation to abort some fetuses): _Christopher Zimeri_ 4. Research Abortion and come to a conclusion about it: _Bruce Federico_; Post-Birth Abortion (killing of very young already born people)--Be sure to research this one first! Speaker and Researcher: _Ronald Lozada_; Leader: _Bruce Federico_. Please note that you may come to your very own conclusion; however, I want to see evidence that you have considered all relevant issues; I do not want this to become a shouting match between "It's alive" and "It's not." Abortion offers a case of clashing wishes of two persons: (1) the fetus and (2) the woman bearing it. Compare the case of a tree that's growing precisely on the property line. Neighbor A wants to chop it because it robs his/her light; Neighbor B wants to keep it because it rains down leaves in fall. Whom will you side with? And why? Show evidence also that you have understood your opponent. Show what your opponent may have overlooked. And remember that you are entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts! Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. | |
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February 25 and 27, March 1 |
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| Quiz 6 goes down; Quiz 7 [Midterm] goes up. Case Work in Groups! Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Engineering Ethics: DC10 and Dan Applegate. Analysis by _Paul Murphy_ Other cases in Engineering Ethics: Analysis by _Robert Eichinger_ | |
| Ethics Conference of APPE in San Antonio--Please meet to discuss and work toward your midterm task. | |
| Ethics Conference of APPE in San Antonio--Please meet to discuss and work toward your midterm task. | |
| March 4, 6, and 8 | Quiz 8 will be added to the Midterm: Life and Death 2, pp. 130 to 163. 1. Pro Euthanasia and Suicide Choices: _Joseph Villarini_; 2. Con Euthanasia and Suicide: _Trevor Simms_. 3. Research Euthanasia and Suicide to show how one can come to a conclusion: __David Armas_ ; 4. Pro: Death Penalty _Christopher Zimeri_; 5. Con: Death Penalty: _Max Niemczycki_; Leader: ___________. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. |
| Focus on Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or other wars: 1. Was 9/11 a Just Reason for Iraq or Afghanistan War? Can one have a just war against "terrorism"?: ________________; 2. Ius ad bellum [getting into a war justly] Give some specific examples of just wars [evaluative historical research] and their reasons.: _________________; 3. Ius in bello [conducting a war justly--veterans are preferred speakers for this topic. What behavior can be reasonably expected from soldiers engaged in a war effort? How does one train soldiers to be morally responsible human beings?]: _Paul Murphy_; 4. Ius post bellum [ending a war justly] Give some examples of unjust conclusions to wars and just conclusions to wars. What are the conditions for just completion of wars?: _____________________; Is Patriotism morally defensible? Are there instances where patriotism is not or where it is?: ____________________; Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Moral Dicision-Making in the Military--Analysis by _Robert Eichinger_ Ethical Analysis of Make-Up of Military (Conscription or Professional) Analysis: _Paul Murphy_ Leader: __Paul Murphy__ | |
| 1. _For Animal Rights: __________________; 2. When are animals purely instrumental? What are justifiable limitations of Animal rights?: _Trevor Simms_ Do we have moral obligations for being vegans or vegetarians? ____________________ Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Main Arguments of "In Defense of Animals" Analysis by: _Jordan Pickus_ Meatless Monday: Analysis by _Andrew Lytle_Leader: ____________________ | |
| March 11, 13, and 15 | Group Midterms are due today--March 14! Individual tasks for the midterm are due today! The Midterm on-line quiz dies today! If you haven't taken the on-line quiz, you must take it in my presence and under my watchful eye. |
| Quiz 8 goes down, and the midterm goes down; Quiz 9 goes up: Autonomy 1, pp. 164 to 189.--Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. | |
| While you should have your books with you all the time, be sure to have them today. Group Assignments: 1. What is Masochism? [Focus on question 1 on page 176.] 2. What is proper atonement when one has caused harm? [Focus on question 3.c. on page 176.] 3. Is depression a form of emotional masochism? [Focus on question 9 on page 177.] 4. Focus on Case 1 on page 187; be sure to read the lead-in material that is part of question 2. Don't forget to appoint a secretary who can get additional points for the recording and the report. If we have book reports, these will take the place of the group work as needed. Group Assignments: 5. Same problem: Case 2.2. on page 188. 6. Same problem: Case 2.3. on page 188. 7. Case 3.1. on page 188. 8. Case 3.2.on page 188. 9. Question 4 on page 188. Don't forget to appoint a secretary who can get additional points for the recording and the report. Reports from all groups. General discussion. | |
| Quiz 9 goes down; Quiz 10 goes up: Autonomy 2, pp. 190 to 228.--ON A FRIDAY!--Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. | |
March 18, 20, and 22 [Spring Break] |
Spring Break |
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Spring Break |
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Spring Break |
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March 25, 27, and 29 |
[Monday, March 28] Quiz 10 goes down; Quiz 11 goes up: Sex 1, pp. 229 to 250--Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Is Random Drug-Testing an Unethical Invastion of Privacy? Analysis by _Trevor Simms_ |
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Volunteers: 1. Pro: Legalization of Recreational Drugs: Brian Laing_; 2. Con: Legalization of Recreational Drugs: _________________; 3. Research and Decide: Legalization of Recreational Drugs: _Gabino Guerrero_; 4. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Leader: _Gabino Guerrero_ |
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| Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports.--Leader: ___________________ | |
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April 1, 3, and 5 |
Quiz 11 goes down; Quiz 12 goes up: Sex 2, pp. 251 to 273--Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Biblical Perspective on Sexual Ethics with attention to Leviticus 20. Analysis: _Andrew Lytle_ Porn Battles in Daytona Beach. What's right? What's wrong? Analysis: _Greg Mast__ Is Pornography Cathartic or Does It Create Bad Ideas? Analysis: _Brian Laing_ |
| Discussion: Sex without love is immoral. Why or why not?: __Leon Robinson__. Moral commitments that are necessary for sexual relationships: ____________________. How to deal with power relationships that interfere in sexual relationships: ___________________. Do we choose love or does love happen to us? What does that imply about gays? _Bryan "B-Ray" Ray_. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Leader: ____________________ | |
| Homosexual couples adopting children: _Brian Laing_. Lesbian couples with children: ___________________. Which rights can a state justly deny homosexuals to have? [Review inheritance legislation, visiting rights at hospitals, insurance coverage, etc.] _Gabino Guerrere_; Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports._ Leader: ____________________. | |
| April 8, 10, and 12 | Quiz 12 (Sex 2) goes down; Quiz 13 goes up: Wealth 1, pp. 274 to 302. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. "Capitalism: A Love Story" Review and Criticism by _Justin Weltmer_ |
| 4. Should we have a marriage court? Such a court would be similar to a divorce court, but the idea would be to allow marital partners to sue each other for economic fairness in such a way as not necessarily to lead to divorce. In other words, should a wife be permitted to sue her husband for greater participation in the family's income and in the family's workload? __He says: ________________ She says (from the perspective of a traditional house-wife & get your relevant statistics): __________________; 5.Should marriage partners make lifelong commitments to each other and should those commitments also include sexual exclusivity? ____________. [I do want your authenticity without role playing; if, when you report, you have changed your mind, it's OK to say so. You are not a captive of your topic.] Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Leader: _______________________. | |
| Note that the entire section here has to do with the possibility of systemic failures or typical "many hands" issues. As you deliberate, state also what we can do to strengthen systems so as to avoid such problems. Volunteers: Consider the Moral Status of Gambling and of State Lotteries. How should a state raise money for its operations? What is just? What is not just? _________________. Economic Justice--what is it and how do we get there? Consider seriously Rawls's Veil of Ignorance when you answer that question. Is there a way for a nation or state or community to make sure that all citizens feel that wealth and resources are justly distributed? Note that this does not entail any egalitarian distribution; it merely requires moral satisfaction on everyone's part: _Justin Weltmer_. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Leader: ________________________ | |
Last Day for any written work this semester is April 15! |
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| April 15, 17, and 19 |
Quiz 13 (Wealth 1) goes down; Quiz 14 goes up: Wealth 2: pp. 303 to 323.--Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Analysis of Bhopal, India, by _Max Niemczycki_ |
| Compulsive gamblers tend to be male; compulsive shoppers tend to be women. Is that correct? And if so, why is that? _Christopher Zimeri_; what moral considerations are relevant to making career choices? ______________; there are fundamentally "evil" or morally abhorrent jobs: _Trevor Simms_; there are no fundamentally "evil" or morally abhorrent jobs as long as we make money: _Max Niemczycki_; Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Leader: __________________________ | |
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Quiz 14 (Wealth 2) goes down; final examination goes up. Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. |
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| April 22 and 24 | Last Discussion during the last class! Here is the problem to address! How does one teach an ethical attitude? Can one teach ethics at all to mature college students? ________________ How will you educate your children to being morally sound people? Should hitting, beating, and strong-arm tactics in the family be encouraged to get morally wise children? Will the generous beating now and then prevent crimes such as bullying and vicious beatings in school? What did your parents do wrong? What will you do right? Reflect about ethical education: ____________________ What should one expect as a result of having experienced a class in ethics? Should I have changed my mind about matters? Should I be expected to change my mind about matters? Have I changed the way to think about problems? Should I have changed my way of thinking about problems? Answer what should have happened to a person as proper outcome in this course. What was the objective? What should have been the objective: _______________________ . Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. Leader: ___________________________. |
| Look at http://faculty.erau.edu/schliepr/ethics/books.html) for possible reports. These reports may continue on the day of the final in our normal classroom. I would like some special focus on charities. How does one determine the charities to support? How does one find charities that do not work for the needy but line someone's pocket.These presentations may continue on May 1 at 12h30 in the normal classroom. | |
| April 26 |
Study Day |
| May 1 at 12h30 to 14h30 in the normal classroom |
Final Examination--Computer-based activity will be in my office by appointment. Stay tuned. Reports may continue on this day. |
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Please complete the on-line course survey. In this world, we all receive evaluations. I have given you yours; please comply with doing the evaluation for this course also. |
Final grades will be posted on my web page: Evaluations
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to Dr. Schlieper's Faculty Page
Return to the
course-information page.
Dr. Reinhold Schlieper
Department of
Humanities
Embry-Riddle
University