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PHILOSOPHY 215: ETHICS

Everett Community College, Fall 2018


Instructor: Spencer Murphy
Email: smurphy@everettcc.edu or through Canvas
Technical issues: elearning@everettcc.edu

Course Information:
Course: PHIL 215
Credits: (5)
Item # 6950
Section: OL

Required Text:
Edmonds, David, Would You Kill the Fat Man?, 2015, available in the bookstore. This text is also
available as an e-book or audio book.

Course website: https://everettcc.instructure.com If you’re new to Canvas, I highly

recommend visiting the following “Introduction to Canvas for Students” page.
https://everettcc.instructure.com/courses/855657

Canvas supports the last two versions of every browser release. It is recommended that you use
the newest version of whatever browser you are using as well as the most up-to-date Flash
plug-in.

Also, Canvas was designed for desktop displays, not mobile devices. While some features may
work on mobile devices, not all features will be supported. In the past, students using iOS
devices have struggled to submit assignments and access all the course content. That said, you
will need a Mac or Windows computer to complete the course.

If you do not have access to a desktop or laptop computer at home, you have many options
available at the library, including checking out a Netbook for the quarter. If this is something
you are interested in, here is a link with more information:
https://www.everettcc.edu/library/computers-library/

Course Description:

This course studies some of the more important questions that have shaped the development
of moral philosophical thought from ancient times to the present. Students will be encouraged
to think for themselves and engage the instructor in dialogue about the most ethically correct
course of action in a wide variety of applications. Focus is on understanding why individuals
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differ in their moral judgments, and the tools needed to continue investigations of ethical
issues. Assesses Core Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4.

Course Goals and Learning Objectives

My goals and learning objectives for you including the following:
• To understand the main theories of ethics
• To know how to apply ethical theories to real-life situations
• To identify the differences between ethical theories
• To evaluate strengths and weakness of each ethical theory

Course Requirements:

This course will consist of ten modules. Each module will include specific readings from the
textbook and other web-related sources, writing assignments, group discussions, short-videos,
and quizzes. See the course schedule below for the dates and assignments of each module.

Late Work

It is your responsibility to get all your assignments turned in by its due date. Late work will not
be accepted in this course. Don’t wait until the last minute. Also, losing internet access the day
an assignment is due is not a legitimate excuse. If you are having a technical issue with canvas
that has been documented an extension can be given. Apart from that, make sure you get your
work in on time.

Work Return Policy:

I strive to have your course work graded within one week of the due date. Sometimes I get
assignments back quicker, sometime a little later. But as a general policy, expect about one
week.

Plagiarism/Cheating:

Plagiarism occurs when you knowingly submit someone else’s ideas or words as your own.
Plagiarism is an act of intentional deception that not only constitutes academic fraud, but also
robs you of the most important products of education—learning how to express your own ideas
in writing. Should I suspect that you have plagiarized, I will ask that you prove the work in
question is your own. If you are found guilty of academic dishonesty—plagiarism or cheating—
you will automatically fail that assignment and possibly the course.

One of the negative features of online learning is the prevalence of cheating, which includes
both plagiarism and the sharing of course work. Remember, although it is very easy to
plagiarize using the Internet, it is also very easy for the instructor to check your work to make
sure it is your own. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.
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Online Course Conduct:

During this course, we will at times discuss some controversial issues. It is very important
during these discussions to show respect to your fellow student’s beliefs, opinions, and ideas.
While it is perfectly acceptable to take different points of view, disrespectful or intolerant
comments (including inappropriate jokes and vulgar language) will not be accepted. Part of the
process of growing as an individual is learning how to dialogue with others about controversial
issues in a professional and respectful manner. To achieve this goal, make sure you stay positive
in your comments. Think about your comments before submitting them. Remember that you
are communicating with other human beings, who have feelings and opinions of their own.
Always ask yourself, “If I were sitting in a classroom, would I make this comment?” Also, work
to encourage each other. We are all in the process of learning and developing. Try to bring out
the best in each other.

ADA Statement:

If you believe you qualify for course adaptations or special accommodations under the
Americans with Disabilities Act, you will need to contact the Center for Disability Services
Coordinator and provide me with the appropriate documentation. If you already have a
documented disability through the CDS Office, which would qualify you for special
accommodations, or if you have emergency medical information or special needs I should know
about, please notify me during the first week of class. I would be happy to make
accommodations for you to help you succeed in the course. Contact CDS at: phone 425.388-
9272, email cds@everettcc.edu or Parks Student Union #267

https://www.everettcc.edu/students/cds/

Mental Health Statement:

If during this course, or during your time at EVCC, you feel like you need someone to talk to
about a specific problem or situation, we have professional counselors employed by the college
who can help you. They are located on the third floor of Parks and can be contacted by phone:
425.388.9263 or email: counseling@everettcc.edu

https://www.everettcc.edu/students/css/counseling-resources-students/

Course Points:

Assessment Percentage Points

• Module 1 Assignments: 10% 50

• Module 2 Assignments: 10% 50
• Module 3 Assignments: 10% 50
• Module 4 Assignments: 10% 50
• Module 5 Assignments: 10% 50
• Module 6 Assignments: 10% 50
• Module 7 Assignments: 10% 50
• Module 8 Assignments: 10% 50
• Module 9 Assignments: 10% 50
• Module 10 Assignments: 10% 50

TOTAL: 100% 500

Course Grading Scale:

A: 463-500 C: 363-382

A-: 448-462 C-: 348-362

B+: 433-447 D+: 333-347

B: 413-432 D: 313-332

B-: 398-412 F: 0-312

C+: 383-397

Please note that if stop attending this class, it is your responsibility to officially withdraw from
the course. Failure to officially withdraw from the course will result in a “V” grade which
negatively affects your ability to transfer to the university of your choice and can possibly cause
problems with financial aid.

Course Modules, Assigned Reading, and Assigned Course Work

Modules Assigned Reading Assigned Course Work

1. Introduction to Ethics Syllabus; Thoughts On Ethics; How Introductions (Due 9/25); Moral
to Write an Ethics Paper; Would Sense Test (Due 9/27); How to
(9/24 - 9/29) You Kill the Fat Man, Chapter 1 Write an Ethics Paper (Due 9/ 28);
Module 1 Quiz (Due 9/29)

2. The Trolley Problem Thoughts on Subjectivism; Sections Spur Scenario (Due 10/2); Moral
3 & 4 of Moral Relativism on IEP Relativism (Due 10/5); Module 2
(9/30 - 10/06) (see course module for link to Quiz (Due 10/6)
article); Would You Kill the Fat
Man, chapters 2, 3

3. Natural Law and the Fat Man Thoughts on Natural Law; Charles Natural Law and Euthanasia (Due
Lane on Euthanized Children (see 10/9); Application of the DDE to
(10/07 – 10/13) course module for link to article); the Trolley Problem (Due 10/12);
Would You Kill the Fat Man, Module 3 Quiz (Due 10/13)
chapters 4, 5

4. Deontology Thoughts on Deontology; “The What Would Kant Do? (Due 10/16);
Enlightenment Project” by David Is the Enlightenment Dead? (Due
(10/14 – 10/20) Brooks (see course module for link 10/19); Module 4 Quiz (Due 10/20)
to article); Would You Kill the Fat
Man, chapters 6

5. Utilitarianism Thoughts on Utilitarianism; “What What Would Bentham Do? (Due

Philosophers Have to Say About 10/23); The Ethics of Eating Meat
(10/21 - 10/27) Eating Meat” (see course module (Due 10/26); Module 5 Quiz (Due
for link to article); Would You Kill 10/27)
the Fat Man, chapters 7 & 8

6. Experiments and the Trolley Thoughts on Social Contract The Experience Machine (Due
Morality; Three articles on the 10/30); The Ethics of Autonomous
(10/28 – 11/03) Ethics of Autonomous Cars (see Cars (Due 11/2); Module 6 Quiz
course module for link to article); (Due 11/3)
Would You Kill the Fat Man,
chapters 9 & 10

7. Instinct, Feeling, and Thoughts on David Hume’s Ethics; The Personalized Trolley (Due
Irrationality Would You Kill the Fat Man, 11/6); The Case of Close Siblings
chapters 11, 12 (Due 11/9) Module 7 Quiz (Due
(11/4 - 11/10) 11/10)
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8. The Brain and Genetics Thoughts on Freedom and Are Humans Free? (Due 11/13);
Determinism; Would You Kill the Genetic Enhancement (Due 11/16)
(11/11 – 11/17) Fat Man?, chapters 13 & 14 Module 8 Quiz (Due 11/17)

9. The Trolley and its Critics Thoughts on Virtue Ethics; “What Your Virtuous Person (Due 11/20);
Makes a Good Friend” (see course Friendship and Virtue Ethics (Due
(11/18 – 11/24) module for link to article); 11/23); Module 9 Quiz (Due 11/24)
“Aristotle’s Three Types of
Friendships” (see course module
for link to article); Would You Kill
the Fat Man?, chapters 15 & 16

10. Ethical Issues “Google Tracks Your Movements, Is the World Getting Better or
Like It or Not” (See course module Worse? (Due 11/27); Your Own
(11/25 – 12/07) for link to article); “Why the World Trolley Scenario (Due 11/30);
is Getting Better and Why Hardly Toughest Trolley (Due 12/4); The
Anyone Knows It” (See course Ethics of Google Tracking (Due
module for link to article); 12/07)
Appendix to Would You Kill the Fat
Man?

*Not all assignments, quizzes, and discussions are due at the end of the module. Some are due
by the mid-point of the module. Please check Canvas for due dates for specific assignments.