Spring 2021 classes

Intro to Philosophical Ethics - 43875 - HPHI 302G - 01
THIS COURSE WILL MEET FACE TO FACE ON CAMPUS. Associated Term: Spring 2021 Registration Dates: Nov 02, 2020 to Feb 08, 2021 Levels: Undergraduate Syllabus Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Face to Face on Campus Instructional Method 3.000 Credits View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 10:00 am - 10:50 am MWF TBA Feb 01, 2021 - May 07, 2021 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)
Intro to Philosophical Ethics - 43876 - HPHI 302G - 02
THIS COURSE WILLMEET FACE TO FACE ON CAMPUS. Associated Term: Spring 2021 Registration Dates: Nov 02, 2020 to Feb 08, 2021 Levels: Undergraduate Syllabus Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Face to Face on Campus Instructional Method 3.000 Credits View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 11:00 am - 11:50 am MWF TBA Feb 01, 2021 - May 07, 2021 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)

Critical Thinking - 48932 - HPHI 202 - 01

Associated Term: Spring 2021 Registration Dates: Nov 02, 2020 to Feb 08, 2021 Levels: Undergraduate Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Hybrid/Blended Instructional Method 3.000 Credits View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm TR TBA Feb 01, 2021 - May 07, 2021 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)

Modern Philosophy - 48739 - HPHI 311 - 1

THIS COURSE WILL MEET FACE TO FACE ON CAMPUS. Associated Term: Spring 2021 Registration Dates: Nov 02, 2020 to Feb 08, 2021 Levels: Undergraduate Syllabus Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Face to Face on Campus Instructional Method 3.000 Credits View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm MWF TBA Feb 01, 2021 - May 07, 2021 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)

SpTp: Metaphysics - 48921 - HPHI 475B - 1

Associated Term: Spring 2021 Registration Dates: Nov 02, 2020 to Feb 08, 2021 Levels: Undergraduate Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Hybrid/Blended Instructional Method 3.000 Credits View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm TR TBA Feb 01, 2021 - May 07, 2021 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)

 

JMS:Ethics, Justice, & Soc Jus - 48162 - HEDU 499 - 10

Ethics, Justice and Social Justice-Dr. Nathan Nobis - This course introduces students to the logical and philosophical skills used to evaluate arguments concerning matters of ethics, justice and social justice: what should we believe, and what should we do, about these sorts of issues? When there is a complex and controversial question of ethics or justice, how do decide which position(s) are more likely to be correct? Our initial concerns are abstract: first, how do we define our area of concern, so what makes something an ethical issue, an issue of justice, or an issue of social justice? Next, what are some of the better ways to determine whether an action or policy is ethical or not, whether some practice is just or an injustice, and when is something done a social injustice, and what are we seeking when we are seeking (social) justice? In general, how do we think critically about answers to ethical and justice related questions? Our focus, however, will involve applying general insights from theories and principles of ethics and justice, and critical thinking, to contemporary issues of social justice, such as the criminalization of drug use, punishment and the death penalty, reparations for historical injustice, police violence, gun violence, abortion, immigration, racism, discrimination against people who are not heterosexual or cis-gendered, health inequality, wealth inequality, many forms of racial discrimination and prejudice, climate change and more. Topics will be chosen, in part by students’ interests. Guest (online) speakers from some local organizations that address some of these ethical challenges will come to class to share how and why they seek justice through their efforts. Note that J-Mester courses are free elective courses. It is advised that students engage Advisors prior to enrolling to determine if credit from these courses can be applied to their specific major or can fulfill general education requirements. Associated Term: Spring 2021 Registration Dates: Nov 02, 2020 to Jan 12, 2021 Levels: Undergraduate Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Online Instructional Method 3.000 Credits View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 9:00 am - 5:00 pm MTWRF ONLINE Jan 11, 2021 - Jan 29, 2021 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)

James Rachels' The Elements of Moral Philosophy Chapter 1 notes

Here some notes on James Rachels' The Elements of Moral Philosophy, chapter 1, "What is morality?"

Here's a video overview (not by me):

I think this chapter would have been better called What is it to ‘Think Morally’ or 'Reason Morally'?

“Morality is …” is kinda abstract. This is less abstract: Someone is “thinking morally” or engaged in “moral thinking” when:

(1) one is guiding one’s thought by reasons – the best reasons – and
(2) one gives equal weight to each individual who is affected by one’s actions.

Re. (1): reasons include (scientific, empirical) facts and moral principles.

FACTS

+ 

MORAL PRINCIPLES

=

WHAT TO DO 

Note: the premises below all must be interpreted--what do they mean? What are they saying?--so they can be evaluated as true or false. This page does not provide that interpretation: the chapter does though.

Case 1: Baby Theresa (Google for images and stories) 

• · What’s her situation?
• · What did her parents want to do? What were their reasons?

The parents' argument:

(3) If we can (a) benefit someone without (b) harming anyone by doing action X, then action X is morally permissible.
(4) By kill Theresa and taking her organs we can (a) benefit others and (b) not harm anyone.
(5) So, killing Teresa and taking her organs is morally permissible.

The argument is valid, in that the premises lead to the conclusion. Is this argument sound or not? 

What did “the critics” say” (p. 2)

(6) “It’s too horrifying to use people as means to other people’s ends.”
(7) “It’s unethical to kill in order to save, unethical to kill person A to save person B.”
(8) “The parents are saying we should kill the baby to use the organs. That’s horrendous!

These remarks are the basis of arguments. Are these arguments sound or not? If any of them are, then argument (3)-(5) is not sound. Let's present these remarks as logically valid arguments. 

Re. Remark (6):

(A) If someone is used as a mere means to another’s end, then that is wrong.
(B) Taking Teresa’s organs would be to use her as a mere means.
(C) So, it would be wrong to take her organs.

Is the argument valid? Are the premises true? (Are they somehow ambiguous or imprecise? What does it mean, according to Kant, to use someone as a mere means?)

Re. Remark (7):

(D) If person A is killed to save person B, then that’s wrong.
(E) To kill Teresa would be to kill her to save others.
(F) Therefore, it’s wrong to kill Teresa.

Is the argument valid? Are the premises true? (Are they somehow ambiguous or imprecise, e.g., does D claim it's always wrong to do this, or just sometimes?)

Re. Remark (8): is that even an argument?

Case 2: Jodie and Mary (Google for images and stories) 

What’s their situation? What did her parents want to do? What did the hospital want to do? What were their reasons?

Some might throw up their hands and ask “Whose to decide?!” Asking this kind of question is often a way to avoid thinking about which arguments are best. (Also, it’s often unwise to ask rhetorical questions, since there might be good answers to them).

An argument:

(G) If we have a choice between saving one infant and letting both die, we should save one.
(H) We have such a choice.
(I) So we should save one.

Is the argument valid? Are the premises true?

Some critics say:

(J) If someone is an ‘innocent human life’, then they should never be killed.
(K) Mary is an innocent human life.
(L) Therefore, Mary should not be killed.

Is the argument valid? Are the premises true?

3rd Case: Tracy Latimer (Google for images and stories) 

• · What’s her situation? (We need to think about the details..)
• · What did her parents want to do? What were their reasons?
• · What did their critics say?

Conclusions: Overall, we need to take note of:

• · Feelings
• · Require reasons
• · Getting one’s (non-moral) facts straight: checking up on the empirical / scientific evidence
• · Impartiality: differences in treatment are justified only by relevant differences in the person/being and in light of general moral principles; otherwise these are unjustified prejudices.

Fall 2020 classes

Intro to Philosophy (Honors) - 47419 - HPHI 201G - 03H
Associated Term: Fall 2020 Registration Dates: Apr 20, 2020 to Aug 28, 2020 Levels: Undergraduate Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Online Instructional Method 3.000 Credits View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 9:25 am - 10:40 am TR ONLINE Aug 19, 2020 - Nov 20, 2020 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)
Intro to Philosophical Ethics - 47420 - HPHI 302G - 01
Associated Term: Fall 2020 Registration Dates: Apr 20, 2020 to Aug 28, 2020 Levels: Undergraduate Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Online Instructional Method 3.000 Credits Syllabus Available View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 10:00 am - 10:50 am MWF Sale Hall 105 Aug 19, 2020 - Nov 20, 2020 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)
Intro to Philosophical Ethics - 47421 - HPHI 302G - 02
Associated Term: Fall 2020 Registration Dates: Apr 20, 2020 to Aug 28, 2020 Levels: Undergraduate Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Online Instructional Method 3.000 Credits Syllabus Available View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 11:00 am - 11:50 am MWF ONLINE Aug 19, 2020 - Nov 20, 2020 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)
SpcTop: Climate Change Ethics - 48822 - HPHI 475 - 02
Associated Term: Fall 2020 Registration Dates: Apr 20, 2020 to Aug 28, 2020 Levels: Undergraduate Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type Online Instructional Method 3.000 Credits View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm MWF ONLINE Aug 19, 2020 - Nov 20, 2020 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)

"Philosophy of Science" and "Climate Change Ethics"

This fall, Morehouse’s Philosophy program is offering these two elective philosophy courses –Philosophy of Science and Climate Change Ethics – in addition to Introduction to Philosophy, Introduction to Ethics, Critical Thinking, and Ancient and Medieval Philosophy. 

Please share information about these courses, particularly these electives. Thank you! 

See below the fold for details and flyers!

"America's Unjust Drug War" by Michael Huemer: An 8 Minute Overview

"America's Unjust Drug War" by Michael Huemer is here: http://www.owl232.net/papers/drugs.htm

PPT slides:

Summer Ethics class

Intro to Philosophical Ethics - 42527 - HPHI 302G - 01
Associated Term: Summer 2019 Registration Dates: Apr 01, 2019 to Jul 06, 2019 Levels: Undergraduate Morehouse College Campus Lecture Schedule Type 3.000 Credits View Catalog Entry Bookstore(change me) Scheduled Meeting Times Type Time Days Where Date Range Schedule Type Instructors Class 10:30 am - 11:50 am MTWRF Sale Hall 106 Jun 04, 2019 - Jul 05, 2019 Lecture Nathan M. Nobis (P)