Moral & Political Philosophy

Goals and Objectives Detailed

Mr. Graves

 

         This class will progress through four sections:

 

I.              The first section will deal with understanding the tools we use to clarify and discuss our beliefs.  We will study concepts, beliefs, issues, stands (or "positions"), claims, and -- in some detail -- arguments.  We will determine what each of these terms means, and how to use it correctly.  We will also learn how to analyze and evaluate claims and arguments;

 

II.            The second section provides some background regarding the approaches that philosophers and others have taken to shaping systematic theories of moral and political thought.  We will learn to identify, and recognize some of the differences between, absolutist and relativist theories, action-based and virtue-based theories, deontic and consequentialist theories, and empiricist and rationalist theories.   

In doing so, we will receive a brief history of ethical theory and, at the same time, prepare ourselves to enter the arena of moral discussion and dispute;

 

 

III.          The third section will address some of the basic theory involved in political philosophy.  We will encounter democratic, undemocratic, and antidemocratic visions of society; watch the evolution and application of social contract theory; look at the theory and practice of justice;

 

        

IV.         We will apply what we have learned as we examine one or more contemporary moral/political problems.  Possible issues include scarce resources, honesty and deceit, and violence.

 

      

       Some Thoughts and Comments

 

Section I. Some students find this first section the most demanding part of the course.  Depending upon the student's background, it may call for a substantial amount of practice at employing the concepts in a variety of settings so that their use becomes easy and natural; that is, it calls for mastering the concepts.

 

Section II. Many students find this section easier -- with certain qualifications --than the first section, for a few reasons.  First, working on Section I has already gotten you familiar with concepts, analysis, and evaluation, and has encouraged you to strive for precision.  Second, there are fewer concepts to master.  And, third, most of the concepts can be naturally applied to real-world moral examples.

         The qualifications are:  First, since many of the readings are historical, they require more care and slower reading than contemporary writings; and, second, some of the concepts are a little abstract and theoretical (e.g., "absolutism").  However, if they are studied with care, none of them is particularly difficult.

 

Section III. The thoughts and comments offered in Section II, directly above, apply here as well.

 

Section IV. This section will offer us an opportunity to see how (moral and political) philosophical theory is applied to real-life issues and problems. 

         For each of the morally- or politically-centered concepts we investigate, we will try to get an understanding of what that concept (e.g., "deceit") means.  We will try to examine each concept fully, turning it over and examining it in some depth (e.g., the concept of deceit includes both lying and cheating, deception of others and self-deception).  We will consider its causes and its consequences. 

         Each concept will generate a cluster of issues and sub-concepts.  For instance, the concept of violence could lead us to a discussion of capital punishment, but it could also lead us to a discussion of war. 

         For each concept we investigate, we will ask at least the following questions:

 

1. What does this concept (e.g., "deceit") mean? What are its kinds or types (e.g., "cheating"; "self-deceit")? Can we locate current examples?

 

2. What are its causes, or reasons for being, or the motives which generate it?

 

3. What are its results, effects, goals, or consequences, either intended or unintended?
4. What current issues revolve around this concept?  What are the important stands, or positions, that are being taken on these issues?      

 

         Finally, we will interpret, analyze, and evaluate arguments for and against such stands, which we find presented in writings and in discussion.  Our goal will not be a final resolution of each moral problem, but, rather, clarification, and the refining of our skills in dealing with moral issues.