The course aims to facilitate: 1) Awareness of the ethical crisis of post-modern humanity; 2) an intellectual encounter with traditional Western philosophical and religious values, with attention to selected nonwestern perspectives; 3) critical, rational inquiry into the grounds for these values and the ways they are imparted; and 4) exercise in relating these values to contemporary personal and social life.

Regular attendance and informed participation, based upon the assigned readings, constitute the minimal core requirement. An unexcused absence indicates that you do not value this course, and will be considered accordingly. If you miss three class periods for any reason you can expect a letter of warning. You may expect to be dropped from the course upon a fourth absence.

Readings assignments and discussion questions

The reading assignments provide indispensable background for the classroom lectures and discussions. There are fifteen chapter length readings and one convocation address designated for class discussion sessions. One session in advance of the scheduled discussion (except in the case of the convocation address), as noted in the course calendar, students will bring to class a typed, one paragraph discussion of each assigned reading (n.b. on some days there are two assigned readings, requiring two discussions). Some of these may be selected for reading in class to facilitate discussion, but all will be graded and returned. These assignments cannot be made up later, since their purpose is to prepare students for the class room lecture and discussion. Cumulatively they form an important part of the grade for the course.

How to compose the one paragraph discussion of the assigned reading

Employing direct quotations with page number so that reference to the text can be conveniently made, a one paragraph discussion includes in sequence the following parts: 1) it identifies an issue in the reading; 2) it indicates what seems to be at stake in this issue according to the author; 3) it succinctly describes the author’s treatment of the issue; 4) and on the basis of the foregoing it poses one of two kinds of critical questions: a) questions of clarification or coherence, concerning the author’s meaning, regarding ambiguities or inconsistencies or equivocations; or b) questions criticizing the author’s clear meaning. Questions of criticism must always be founded on a highly defensible reading of the text. Finally, 5) one tries to imagine how the author would reply to the question that has been raised.

Sample discussion question (omitting page references):

Part One: Immanuel Kant argues that inherent duty to one’s own nature as well as to others as bearers of reason is the ground of morality. Part Two: This basis for ethics in humanity’s rational nature requires that one should always treat human beings as rational agents, thus always as ends, never as means. Part Three: For example, if a would-be murderer demanded to know the identity of the victim whom he or she was seeking, according to Kant we must tell the truth, because the murderer too is a bearer of reason, who should not be deceived or manipulated. The very essence of morality lies in obeying the imperative always to treat others as ends, never as means, especially when it would be useful or convenient not to do so. If evil consequences follow, one has the consolation of knowing that one has done his or her duty and not added to the evil in the world, which is entirely the personal responsibility of the murderer. Part Four (b): But does this indifference to the consequences of our actions not lead to another kind of immorality, which allows evil to prevail when we could have prevented it? Does not Kant overlook the frequency with which we confront "irrational situations" where we have no good choices but only between greater and lesser evils? Must not a proper ethics give guidance in the situation of "evil circumstances"? Part Five: Perhaps Kant would reply to these objections with the suggestion that moral living requires a practical faith in God who will make things right in the end. The alternative is a utilitarian ethic where the end justifies the means, a standard which can rationalize any useful or convenient atrocity.

Unit Tests

Six unit tests distributed throughout the semester are based upon the assigned readings as well as the classroom lectures and discussion. Study guides for these tests are attached in this syllabus. Test generally are composed of twenty questions posed in a variety of ways: true and false, fill in the blank from a word bank, multiple choice, etc. Tests last 30 minutes and are corrected immediately in class.

Final Examination

The final exam is a typed, argumentative essay in moral philosophy (maximum 10 standard format pages) on a theme chosen by the student from the following options.

Extra reading is not required, but the final essay should demonstrate mastery of the assigned readings in the course and the class room lectures. It is to be presented on or before the regularly scheduled final exam period on December 12. The final exam paper must be organized in the following fashion: 1. Thesis. A thesis ("It is right/wrong that…," or, "It is good/evil to do such and such…") is to be stated and the issues in controversy regarding this thesis are to be articulated. 2. Method. A discussion of what would constitute a rational defense of the thesis follows. 3. Basic Stance. The author’s basic stance must be articulated and an indication given of how it bears on the construal of the thesis. 4. Proof. Then the demonstration is made. 4. Objections. Next counter-arguments are considered and refuted. 5. Conclusion. Finally a conclusion is drawn, which spells out the practical implications of the successfully defended thesis. This format of argumentation will be illustrated in the final unit of the semester, "Some Exercises in Moral Philosophy."

Calculating the grade

In calculating your grade, the final exam essay will be worth 15%. The cumulative score of the discussion questions will be worth 20%. The six unit tests will be worth 60% each. Class participation--attendance, responsibility, attitude and contribution--will count for 5%.

The Roanoke College Integrity System will be observed at all times and in all circumstances.

Required Text:

Peterfreund and Denise, Great Traditions in Ethics, Seventh Edition N.b.: if you are using a newer edition some chapter numbers may differ from those listed in this syllabus. Always determine the correct reading by reference to the designated author.

On Electronic Reserve:

Paul Hinlicky, "What Hope After Holocaust? Theological Implication Of The Martyrdom Of The European Jews"
Ned Wisnefske, "Believe in Moral Truth, Or Live a Lie!"
Selection from Mein Kampf

Handout:
"The Legend of Satan and Christ"

For further reading (on reserve):

Alisdair MacIntyre, After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory (Notre Dame, 1984); Glenn Tinder, The Political Meaning of Christianity: An Interpretation (Lousiana State University Press, 1989); Robert Bellah et. al., Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life (University of California Press, 1985); "The Destruction of Civic Virtue: Why Marxism Had to Make People Mean and Selfish" (electronic reserve).

August 31
Introduction to the class
Lecture: The Notion of Basic Stances and the Narrative Character of Ethics

September 5
Introduction to the class
Lecture: MacIntyre, Bellah and Tinder on The Failure of the Enlightenment to Provide a Rational Foundation for Morality

September 7
Lecture: Hitlerism and the Holocaust
Reading: Hinlicky, "What Hope after Holocaust?" and selection from Adolph Hitler’s Mein Kampf , "Nation and Race." (Electronic Reserve)

September 12
Lecture: Stalinism and the Failure of Marxism
Reading: Karl Marx in GTE, chp. 14; "The Legend of Satan and Christ"

For further reading: Hinlicky, "The Destruction of Civic Virtue: Why Marxism Had to Make People Mean and Selfish" (Electronic Reserve)

September 14
Lecture: Hiroshima and the Utilitarian Resort to Violence
Submit Discussion Question on Epicurus in GTE, chp. 4

September 19
Test on Unit One

Discussion of Epicurus
Submit Discussion Questions on Hobbes and Hume in GTE chps. 8 & 10.

September 21
Lecture: The Flight From Authority
Discussion of Hobbes and Hume
Submit Discussion Questions on Mill and Ayer in GTE chps. 12 & 19

September 26
Discussion of Mill and Ayer

September 28
Test on Unit Two

Lecture: From Ethical Idealism to European Nihilism
Submit Discussion Question on Kant in GTE chps. 11 and Ned Wisnefske, "Believe in Moral Truth – Or Live a Lie!" (Electronic Review)

October 3
Discussion of Kant and Wisfnefske
Submit Discussion Questions on Nietzsche and Sartre, chps. 15 & 20

October 5
Discussion of Nietzsche and Sartre

October 10
Test on Unit Three

Lecture: Classical Moral Education and the Ethics of Virtue
Submit discussion question on Plato in GTE, chp. 2

October 12
Discussion of Plato
Submit discussion question on Aristotle in GTE, chp. 3.

October 24
Discussion of Aristotle
Submit discussion question on Epictetus in GTE chp. 4.

October 26
Discussion of Epictetus
Lecture: Stoicism, Asceticism and Buddhism

October 31
Test on Unit Four
Lecture: Ethical Monotheism and Doctrines of Evil in the West

November 2
Lecture: Judaism’s Ethic of the Sanctification of Life
Reading: The Book of Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25. See attached reading guide.

November 7
Lecture: Christianity’s Agape Ethic
Reading: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the Hymn to Love (I Corinthians 13:1-13). See attached reading guide.

November 9
Convocation: Dr Robert Tuttle, "Whether Lawyers Too Can Be Saved? The Moral Challenges of Professional Life"

November 14
Lecture: Generosity and Greed
Submit discussion questions on Augustine and Thomas Aquinas in GTE, chps. 6 & 7.

November 16
Discussion of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas
Submit discussion question on Kirkegaard in GTE, chp. 13

November 28
Discussion of Kirkegaard
Lecture: Islam (see attached paper by Prof. McDermott)

November 30
Test on Unit Five
Lecture: The Just War Tradition

December 5
Lecture: Sex, Marriage and the Family
Submit discussion of Dr. Tuttle’s presentation

December 7
Lecture: Work and Vocation
Course summation

December 12
Test on Unit Six
Final Essay due

Return to Dr. Hinlicky's Homepage