Philosophy 255: Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics and Society is a three-credit course that introduces you to philosophy by exploring and analyzing leading ethical theories and the application of those theories to matters of social concern.
There are no prerequisites for this course, but you are expected to have university-level analytical and writing skills.
Outline
PHIL 255 is divided into thirteen units:
Unit 1 – Introducing Philosophy
Unit 2 – Moral Relativism
Unit 3 – Divine Command Theory
Unit 4 – Ethical Egoism
Unit 5 – Utilitarianism
Unit 6 – Kantian Ethics
Unit 7 – Virtue Ethics
Unit 8 – Sex and the Ethics of Gay Rights
Unit 9 – Bullshit and the Ethics of Advertising
Unit 10 – Birth and the Ethics of Abortion
Unit 11 – Death and the Ethics of Euthanasia
Unit 12 – Hunger and the Ethical Response to Extreme Poverty
Unit 13 – Technology and Humanity
Learning outcomes
After completing PHIL 255, you should be able to do the following:
Recognize how core philosophical topics and theories arise from relatable human and social experiences.
Explain how ethical concepts and principles can be applied constructively to contemporary issues of social debate.
Analyze the application of ethical concepts and principles to contemporary issues of social debate.
Communicate thoughts clearly, cogently, and reasonably in a manner that corresponds to the standards of academic philosophy.
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Vice & Virtue in Everyday Life: Introductory Readings in Ethics. 9th edition. Edited by Christina Hoff Sommers and Fred Sommers. Boston: Wadsworth, 2013. (Print)
Other Materials
Additional readings and multimedia resources are provided online and embedded in the Study Guide.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.