PHIL 413 - Advanced Topics in Ethics

The Ethics of Partiality
This course will examine the extent and limits of morally justified partial treatment. Some questions we will examine are: Is loyalty a virtue? Is it ever morally justified? How might we distinguish morally acceptable forms of loyalty (e.g., patriotism) from morally reprehensible forms (e.g., racism)? How can we justify special obligations toward some individuals (e.g., members of our family) without thinking that they are morally more important? What is it to treat others “equally?” Is impartiality really a moral ideal we should strive toward?

Morality at the Margin: What We Owe to Animals, A.I., and Future Generations
This course will examine issues around the moral status of, and our moral obligations to things at the margin of what we might call “the moral circle.” Beginning with questions of what constitutes “moral standing,” we will go on to ask whether there is reason to think that moral standing might be limited to our species, and whether species membership could be sufficient. If not, how far might it extend? How should we understand our obligations to animals? How could we have moral obligations to the merely possible people that make up future generations? And to what extent might sufficiently sophisticated A.I. “agents” lay claim to our moral concern?

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group I
Prerequisite(s): The Ethics of Partiality - One 300-level PHIL course.

Morality at the Margin: What We Owe to Animals, A.I., and Future Generations - Two PHIL courses at the 300 level or higher

Narrative and Aging - Two PHIL courses at the 300 level or higher
Instructional Method: Conference
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken up to 3 times for credit if different topics.
Notes: Not all topics offered every year. Review schedule of classes for availability. This course meets the department’s ethics requirement.
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Understand how arguments can be made, visions presented, or feelings or ideas conveyed through language or other modes of expression (symbols, movement, images, sounds, etc.).
Analyze and interpret texts, whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts.
Evaluate arguments made in or about texts (whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts).