Time Schedule:
Benjamin S. P. Almassi
PHIL 102
Seattle Campus
Philosophical consideration of some of the main moral problems of modern society and civilization, such as abortion, euthanasia, war, and capital punishment. Topics vary.
Class description
This course concerns the ethics of belief, inquiry, research, and technology. Oftentimes philosophers consider the epistemological dimensions of belief and inquiry, scientific or otherwise, but we can also ask about their ethical dimensions. Do we have a duty to believe only what the evidence supports? Does morality requiring trusting the experts, or trusting our loved ones? Might we have good moral grounds NOT to pursue certain lines of inquiry; do scientists as scientists have moral obligations, or does that undermine their positions as good researchers? The ethics of research also finds us considering the Human Genome Diversity Project and the ethics of reburial of indigenous remains. In turning to the ethics of technology we'll also consider issues in computing ethics including copyright infringement and file-sharing, hacking as protest, and net neutrality.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Mixture of lectures and class discussion
Recommended preparation
No prereqs, just a willingness to read carefully and extensively and engage in thoughtful, respectful, fearless classroom discussion.
Class assignments and grading
Reading responses, short papers, short-essay exams.
