Ethics is a subject we all should know about. Our lives are continually touched by situations requiring the knowledge of ethics whether through the media, in-person situations or through hearsay. If you’re one of those individuals who wishes to sharpen your ethics skills, be sure to take a look at Athabasca University’s newly released course PHIL 350 entitled “Ethics.”
Written by philosophy expert and tutor Sharon Turner, PHIL 350 is destined to give you an in-depth, focused look at the philosophy of Western ethics and how its development was influenced through people and events from ancient to current times. PHIL 350 is divided into three main parts, each of which emphasizes ethical points of view from different times. The first part of the course deals with deontological thought (the ethics of right and wrong) and explores this branch of ethics through the eyes of Aristotle, Saint Augustine, and Kant. You will look at ethics through the eyes of ancient, Middle Age, and Enlightenment philosophical leaders. Additionally, you will study the deontological thoughts of modern-day thinkers like Campbell, Rawls and Okin. The second part of the course focuses on virtue ethics (honour and dishonour). You will explore the code of virtue ethics of ancient to modern-day philosophers, including Aristotle, Saint Thomas, Hume, and MacIntyre. In the third and final section of the course, you will explore utilitarianism. PHIL 350 addresses what utilitarianism is, how it influences our lives, and how its concepts from Epicurius, Hobbes, Mill, and Moore have shaped our modern utilitarian thoughts.
Your evaluation in PHIL 350 consists of two written assignments worth 20% and 40% respectively. These assignments are “hands-on” and focus on particular cases or topics presented in the course, thus solidifying the concepts learned. The final 40% of your final mark is achieved through a final cumulative exam.
Sprinkled throughout the course are intriguing virtual debates on popular ethical questions, including defining morality and moral living, as well as questioning the concept of free will. You will also have the opportunity to discover answers to complex questions. According to course author Jill Hunter, PHIL 350 will explore understandings such as whether you can act in your own self-interest and act ethically at the same time.
Ensure your ethics skills are concrete by enrolling in PHIL 350 for the new September school year. For more information, visit: http://www.athabascau.ca/html/syllabi/phil/phil350.htm.