PHL 142 - Ethics

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
This course meets the Arts & Humanities General Education Requirement.

Evaluate ethical theories concerning good and evil, right and wrong behavior, vice and virtue, and the methods used in moral decision-making. Evaluate moral theories and apply them to current case studies.

Note: Eligibility for ENG 101 /ENG 101A is strongly recommended.

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Explain why the study of Ethics and its basic questions are central to living a good life.
Identify and differentiate between major ethical theories in philosophical discourse, including utilitarianism, deontology, existentialism and virtue ethics.
Analyze and evaluate competing ethical theories regarding their respective claims about the human condition, the good life, and what constitutes moral action.
Apply the major theories to specific social and ethical issues, including war and terrorism, duties to animals/the environment, reproductive rights and death and dying.
Write a personal set of principles for ethical reasoning, decision-making and application to real life situations.