Class 1.2: Ethics is Hard
So far, we have learned that philosophy is about tackling hard questions, and using arguments in order to try to think about them rationally and objectively. But what we haven't seen yet, is why ethical questions are suitable for philosophy, given this definition of philosophy. So our task for this class is to try to connect those dots and see why ethical questions are part of philosophy. In class we'll talk about a variety of reasons why ethics is hard.
Required Reading
The required reading for this class is the course syllabus. You may also find it at any time from the main course page. Make sure that you read the syllabus thoroughly and carefully, as it is our contract for how the class will operate, and I will take for granted that you understand the material that it includes, including expectations for attendance, preparation, and assigned work, as well as deadlines and the role of quiz questions. If you have any questions whatsoever about the course syllabus, now is the time to ask.
Course Video
In addition to reading the course syllabus, please watch the following video, the first of a set of eight course videos laying out key course concepts and skills in a way that you will be able to review as often as you need to - and available outside of class so that no one misses this important material. To view the video, you will need to create a PlayPosit account - please use a username that I can recognize from your name as registered for this course. You must complete all of the PlayPosit questions to be eligible to receive an attendance grade for the course. If you need to, use code 1434121-947461 to register for PlayPosit for this course.
To Prepare for Class
In addition to reading the syllabus and watching the introductory video on arguments, in order to come ready and prepared for class, you should devote 15-20 minutes to trying to think about what makes ethical questions hard. We know which questions are ethical from our first class - now the question is: why are many ethical questions difficult to answer in the way characteristic of philosophy? By taking the time to do this exercise and write your answers down before viewing the lecture video, you can prove to yourself that you are ready for this course by showing that you have anticipated some of the difficulties that I will mention in the lecture, as well, maybe, as thinking of some that I do not mention.
Quiz Questions
As you will have noticed after reading the course syllabus and viewing the first instructional video, you will be required throughout the semester to answer quiz questions based both on your comprehension of the reading and on the video/lecture content itself. When you view each embedded video, it will require you to log in with your first and last name to answer these questions, and PlayPosit, the program with the little daschund logo that I use to embed the questions in each video, will record your answers for me. In order to do this you must create a PlayPosit account, which is free to do and only requires your e-mail address. Some questions, as with many in this video, will be survey questions intended to get you to think about some question and take a stand on it before moving forward. But most, as with some in this video and all in the course video above, will have a correct answer. I expect you to re-answer each question until you identify the correct answer. In many cases that answer should be clear, but in some it will be difficult. Still, PlayPosit will tell you when your answer is wrong and allow you to re-answer until you get it correct.
I do not mind if you work with someone else in class and discuss quiz questions together, but it is important that you are actually doing it together - that each of you is actively trying to answer every question on the basis of actually having done the reading and watched the video. Sharing your answers with someone else who may not have done the work or even taking turns answering them and then sharing your answers constitute academic dishonesty and would be grounds for failing this course. If you believe that anyone else in the course is engaging in academic dishonesty of this or any other kind, you can report them anonymously to me using the ‘contact’ function at the top right of the course webpage.
Lecture 1.2
Remember that you are expected to not only do the readings but also view the lecture before coming to each class. So you should complete the following lecture video and associated questions before 2pm on Wednesday, January 12th.