Contemporary Moral Issues
Philosophy 215
Fall 2014
Instructor: Valerie Philbrick-DeBrava Office: James Blair 132
Email: vaphilbrickdeb@wm.edu Office Hours: MWF 9:00-10:00
Phone: (804) 642-4621 Course Times: MWF 10:00-10:50 (01)
Course Location: James Blair 201 MWF 11:00-11:50 (02)
Course Description: Philosophy 215 is designed to improve our understanding of the moral issues our twenty-first-century society faces. As both a survey of these issues and their attendant controversies, and as an introduction to moral philosophy, this course teaches us how respected thinkers have rigorously explored such topics as capital punishment, social inequality, and environmental
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Georgia – BB; Jeffrey Raiman, “Justice, Civilization, and the Death Penalty” – BB; Ernest Van den Haag, “The Ultimate Theory of Punishment” – BB; David Gelernter, “What do Criminals Deserve?” – BB; Dahlia Lithwick, Review of “The Autobiography of an Execution,” The New York Times, Feb. 14, 2010 – BB
10/01 – Chapter 7
10/03 – Plato’s Protagoras
Sexuality and Morality
10/06 – Chapter 9 (note: we will read Chapter 8 in a couple of weeks); “Elite Women Put a New Spin on an Old Debate.” The New York Times June 21, 2012 – BB
10/08 – Chapter 10; Camille Paglia, “Rape: A Bigger Danger Than Feminists Know” – BB; Susan Jacoby, “Common Decency” – BB; the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy’s “Pornography and Censorship” – BB
10/10 - *Essay #1 due; Casebook debate: “Florida Ban on Gay Adoptions”
10/13 – Fall break; no class meeting
More Life and Death Issues: Abortion, Suicide, and Euthanasia
1. What were the costs and benefits to stakeholders of the actions taken by Massey Energy and its managers?
1. The Mayor of a large city was given a free membership in an exclusive golf club by people who have received several city contracts. He also accepted gifts from organizations that have not done business with the City but might in the future. The gifts ranged from $200 tickets to professional sports events to designer watches and jewelry.
In the essay, “A cruel and unusual kingdom”, by Leonard Pitts Jr. columnist for the Miami Herald, effectively argues that the use of the death penalty in the United States is inhumane, irrational and goes against American values. Though Pitts overall maintains a strong argument, writing style, and voice, he purely targets a supportive audience as he doesn’t include clear common ground nor a refutation of the other bias.
2. Morality is not static because morals refer to personal believes of right and wrong, as well as what one ought and ought not to do. Due to morality having a more personal connotation to it, it would be require not to be static. Each person deals with their own set of challenges and challenges change and adapt over time. Since challenges and individuals change over time, one might have to think that a person’s concept of morality would have to be just as dynamic in order to still complete its function.
Von Drehle, David. "The Death of the Death Penalty." Time. Time, 8 June 2015. Web. 04 Nov.
The death penalty is a serious punishment in the United States with many citizens being split on the idea of whether the practice is moral or not. American sociologist and social critic Ernest Van Den Haag, defends the death penalty by looking at the topic through consequentialist and retributivist perspectives. In this essay, I am going to argue that Ernest van den Haag is accurate in his belief in the morality of the death penalty.
and their deeds in order to grip his audience and back his views, employing vivid words
(2002). The Death Penalty: An American History. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University
Additionally, Penny’s discussion on many feminist issues in the lens of neoliberalism is refreshing and thought-provoking. The way Penny explores what neoliberalism and market-driven society has done to sex, love, and intimacy is captivating. The way the market teaches young women to be sexual objects is not a new discussion, and Penny does address it alongside the Internet, but Penny has more nuanced thoughts; she writes, “the social cost of actually having sex, rather than merely appearing to want to have it, is what damages women; sexual control, not sex itself, is what harms all of us” (110). There is a defined line for women in society; women can want sex and appear sexually attractive, but once they take control and have sex, there is an issue because the control has been taken from the power-holder. The market is the instigator in sexual control. Further, Penny argues the cycle does not end there: “as all human affect collapses
The death penalty is arguably one of the most controversial issues of our time. Currently, only eighteen states and Washington D.C. have abolished the death penalty. However, the question remains: what does research say for or against the death penalty? In 2009, a study was done that found the statistic that 88% of criminologists believed that capital punishment is not a deterrent to murder (Radelet and Lacock, 2009). The majority of research also points to the conclusion that the journey from arrest, to trial, to execution is extremely expensive, even more so than that of a life sentence. Finally, who considers the people tasked with performing the execution? What about their mental health? Through examining the death penalty’s facts, deterrence,
The executioner is a profession that has existed since the genesis of government; he has existed since the dawn of civilization, with the need for his services growing alongside the complexities of a life settled in one geographical area. As cities grew larger; and crime became more prevalent; and government, more complex, the executioner’s role and responsibilities became increasingly demanded, and thus began the professionalization of death. For every bit of power government claimed to yield, it was executed by their chosen hangmen. But despite the human need for justice and order, the executioner—whose
Morals, values and ethics define who we are and what we believe. Culture, religion, and many other things affect our beliefs. One uses various types off ethics when surrounded by different groups. Knowing between right and wrong is a good foundation to practicing good ethics and morals. These things make morals, ethics, and values important in society.
Everyday we are tested as individuals to make the right choice. How we view ourselves as individuals and how others view us are directly correlated to our moral decision-making. But morals are somewhat misleading. What might be a wrong decision for one person might be a solution to another. So how do we define morals? Do we follow Gods’ moral rules because to do so would increase out likelihood of obtaining salvation in the afterlife? Or is it simpler than that. Is God going to deny our entrance into heaven because we have run a stop sign here and there? No. I believe our moral values are much simpler than that. I believe that our moral decision-making comes from our upbringing of what is right or wrong. Our parents and
I can imagine a perfect world. A world where morality is of upmost importance in our dealings with each other, where morals are critically examined, and debated with reason as well as passion. This world would be a pinnacle of human achievement. A pinnacle that we are nowhere near. Why is this? Well, in today's society, morals are often associated with obeying the law, and since laws are legislated by politicians, they are subject to politics. Laws are not right in and of themselves, and morals are not a matter of a majority's opinion. Some matters that are in the domain of charity are done through politics, often citing morality as a reason. Where exactly does charity fit in with morals? With politics? In this paper I will explore the
In the modern world, two things are most sought after: goodness and prosperity. However, given the innate nature of mankind, and his compulsions towards greed and selfishness, complete morality is impossible. This idea has roots in the definitions and ideals found in utilitarianism, a term that will be defined later, and has led many to call business ethics an oxymoron. “In the US generally, the ethical road that is paved with good corporate intentions and constructive programs includes some bumps,” (McClenahen 60). Although bumps may exist, many companies are striving for excellence in this area as statistics show ethics are related to customer loyalty 's. These businesses have found that improvements can be found through understanding and action. Business leaders can increase morals by understand utilitarianism, leadership, correct forms of communication, and how these affect customers.