PHL 340 Ethics in Theory and Practice

Fall/Spring/Summer

This course examines the nature of morality and methodologies of ethics through examinations of different understandings of the notions of right and wrong action, what means of valuation are appropriate to understanding moral decisions, and the nature of moral reasoning.

Some versions of this course focus explicitly on approaches to ethics, metaethics, and value theory.  Other versions of the course are more explicitly on the application of these theories to multiple problems and issues of contemporary life which are examined in both ethical and political terms (i.e., abortion, euthanasia, civil disobedience, just allocation of resources). Still other versions are semester-long examinations of the ethical issues surrounding a single topic (i.e., the examination of war and peace by investigating just war theory, terrorism, human rights and the nature of violence.)

Class can be repeated if different focus is used in each offering (i.e., ethics theory, ethics of peace and conflict.) Prerequisite: FCO 105  

3 credit hours