PHIL 160 - Ethics

3 credits

This course explores moral philosophy through the classic writings of such thinkers as Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hobbes, Hume, Kant, Mill, and Sartre. Through these, and many other contemporary readings, students are introduced to the major ethical theories of utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, natural law theory, social contract theory, egoism, and relativism. Students also learn to what extent these theories may be compatible and in what areas they are in opposition. The theories studied in the first half of the semester are then applied to a variety of contemporary moral conflicts including abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, environmental issues, stem cell research, cloning, genetics, terrorism, and a variety of global issues.

Pre or Corequisites: Successful completion of prerequisite course ENG 92 - Writing for College 2 or ESL 122 - Introduction to Academic Writing 2, or appropriate course placement. Alternatively, students may take this course if they have completed ENG 101 - Writing and Research or are taking it as a corequisite.