ETHICS

Term 2, 2007/8
Dr David Burton
Course Outline 2007-2008
Year:

Level 2, Year 2

Duration:

150 hours; 37.5 taught hours; 15 credits

Academic Responsibility:

Dr David Burton

Course Aim
The course aims to enable students to engage critically with thinkers who have
made significant contributions to ethical theory, and to provide students with the
relevant hermeneutical tools necessary to unpack these ethical theories.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate:
1. A critical knowledge of the main ethical theories and their implications for
contemporary religious thought;
2. An ability to assess critically the significance of the relationship with morality
and religion;
3. That they can pursue an argument and propose solutions on the basis of
critical analysis;
4. That they can present critical arguments orally before their peers.
Course Content
This course develops ideas addressed in the year 1 courses, Modern Religious
Movements and Issues and The Criticism of Religion. It will focus on specific
thinkers who have formulated an ethical approach or system, in order to assess
the relevance and significant of these ethical theories for contemporary religious
thought. Questions considered may include; the possibility of objective value
judgements; theories of deontology (duty and moral obligation); conscience and
natural law; knowledge of good; and the placing of human life within a broader
context.

The course will also deal specifically with contemporary ethical issues and
religious responses to such issues. Topics covered may include: modern ideas
and the nature and sources of religious ethics; sexual ethics (including marriage,
contraception, divorce and homosexuality); medical ethics (including abortion,
voluntary euthanasia and suicide); environmental ethics.
REQUIRED TEXT:
The course readings book (available from David Burton).
Course Outline 2008
Page numbers in square brackets [ ] are from the course readings book.
Week 19, January 7-11

Introduction: Moral relativism

Pojman, pp. 154-191 [1-19]

Week 20, January 14-18

Morality and religion

Rachels, pp. 48-62 [82-89];
Satris, pp. 26-48 [108-130]

Week 21, January 21-25

Morality and self-interest

Sommers and Sommers, pp. 311-345 [188206]

Week 22, January 28February 1

Utilitarianism: A consequentialist ethics

Pojman, pp. 237-264 [20-34]
Rachels, pp. 102-116 [90-97]

Week 23, February 4-8

Deontology and Virtue Ethics

Pojman, pp. 297-339 [35-56]
Pojman, pp. 423-429, 447-458 [57-66];
Rachels, pp. 173-190 [98-107]

Week 24, February 11-15

War, peace and terrorism

Barcalow, pp. 290-305 [173-187];
May, Collins-Chobanian, and Wong, pp. 291308 [207-224]

Week 25, February 18-22

Animal rights and the environment

Bonevac, pp. 77-106 [225-252]

Week 26, February 25-29

Abortion
Barcalow, pp. 215-229 [144-158];
Pojman, pp. 789-817 [67-81]

Week 27, March 3-7

Euthanasia and suicide

Barcalow, pp. 229-245 [158-172];
Boss, pp. 212-245 [253-285]

Week 28, March 10-14

Freedom of expression, censorship and

pornography
Barcalow, pp. 202-214 [131-143];
Bonevac, pp. 205-208; 216-227 [286-303]

Teaching and Learning

The course will involve a series of lectures, which will introduce key themes, texts
and ideas. Seminars and group discussion, sometimes centred on set reading,
will consolidate this work.
Assessment
2 X 2000 word essays [learning outcomes 1), 2), 3), and 4)]. Essays more than
10% above or below the required word count will be penalised.
Please note that these essays must be based on significant research, with
referencing and bibliographies according to the Harvard system.

Essay 1. Due: Friday, February 22

1. Evaluate Ruth Benedicts claim that morality is simply whatever a culture
deems normal behaviour.
2. How convincing is C. Stephen Laymans claim that a theistic religious
perspective makes better sense of moral commitment than a secular
perspective?
4. How persuasive are James Rachelss arguments against psychological and
ethical egoism?
5. Critically assess Harry Brownes contention that unselfishness is a trap.
6. Analyse Bernard Williamss arguments against utilitarianism. What are their
strengths and weaknesses?
7. How successful is W.D. Rosss intuitionist form of deontological ethics?
8. With reference to Bernard Mayo and William Frankenas views, discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of virtue ethics.
Essay 2 Due: Wednesday, April 16
1. Explain and evaluate the views of one religious tradition concerning a
contemporary moral issue.
2. How strong is Burleigh Wilkinss argument that terrorism can be morally
justified?
3. Critically assess Carl Cohen and Peter Carruthers claim that animals do not
have rights.
4. How persuasive is Jane Englishs moderate position on abortion?
5. Evaluate Margaret Battins contention that the moral values of mercy, justice,
and autonomy support the legalisation of euthanasia.
6. Why has pornography been a moral issue that has divided feminists?
7. Should art and literature be censored if they cause offence to religious people?
Consider this question with reference to recent controversies.

Some Recommended Reading (Note that many of these sources have

useful bibliographies which will direct you to other relevant books and
articles).
Students are strongly encouraged to make use of the e-library when
researching their essays. JSTOR and Project Muse are particularly useful.
Moral Relativism
Almond, B. 1998, Exploring Ethics: A Travellers Tale, Oxford: Blackwell, 55-73.
Blackburn, S. Relativism, in H. LaFollette, ed., 2000, The Blackwell Guide to
Ethical Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 38-52.
Cook, J.W. 1999, Morality and Cultural Differences, Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Gellner, E. 1985, Relativism and the Social Sciences, Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Macklin, R. 1999, Against Relativism: Cultural Diversity and the Search for
Ethical Universals in Medicine, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Moser, P.K. and Carson, T.L. (eds.) 2001, Moral Relativism: A Reader, Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Smith M., Realism, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 399-412.
Sterba, J.P., ed., 1998, Ethics: The Big Questions, Oxford: Blackwell, 19-62.
Thomas, L. Morality and Psychological Development, , in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A
Companion to Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 464-476.
Wong, D. Relativism, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 442-450.
Morality and Religion
Berg, J. How could Ethics Depend on Religion?, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A
Companion to Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 525-533.
Billington, R. 1988, Living Philosophy. An Introduction to Moral Thought, London:
Routledge, 177-206.

Byrne, P. 1999, The Philosophical and Theological Foundations of Ethics: An

Introduction to Moral Theory and its Relation to Religious Belief. London:
Macmillan.
Kant, I., 1993, Critique of Practical Reason, trans. L.W. Beck, New Jersey:
Prentice Hall.
Quinn, P.L. Divine Command Theory, in H. LaFollette, ed., 2000, The Blackwell
Guide to Ethical Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 53-73.
Shatz, D. ed., Philosophy and Faith: A Philosophy of Religion Reader, New York:
McGraw-Hill, 149-170.
Morality and Self-interest
Almond, B. 1998, Exploring Ethics: A Travellers Tale, Oxford: Blackwell, 25-38.
Baier, K. Egoism, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 197-204.
Gauthier, D.P. (ed.) , 1970, Morality and Rational Self-interest, Englewood Cliffs:
Prentice Hall.
Nietzsche, F. 1998, On the Genealogy of Morals, D. Smith (trans.) ,Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Sober, E. Psychological Egoism, in H. LaFollette, ed., 2000, The Blackwell
Guide to Ethical Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 129-148.
Utilitarianism
Almond, B. 1998, Exploring Ethics: A Travellers Tale, Oxford: Blackwell, 39-54.
Billington, R. 1988, Living Philosophy. An Introduction to Moral Thought, London:
Routledge, 132-150.
Crisp, R. 1997, Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Mill on Utilitarianism,
London: Routledge.
Darwell, S. (ed.) 2003, Consequentialism, Oxford: Blackwell.
Frey, R.G. Act-Utilitarianism, in H. LaFollette, ed., 2000, The Blackwell Guide to
Ethical Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 165-182
Goodin, R.E. Utility and the Good, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to
Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 241-248.

Hooker, B. Rule-Consequentialism, in H. LaFollette, ed., 2000, The Blackwell

Guide to Ethical Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 183-204.
Maclean, A. 1993, the Elimination of Morality. Reflections on Utilitarianism and
Bioethics, London: Routledge.
Pettit, P. Consequentialism, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics,
Oxford: Blackwell, 230-240.
Scarre, G. 1996, Utilitarianism, London: Routledge.
Shaw, W.H. 1999, Contemporary Ethics: Taking Account of Utilitarianism,
Oxford: Blackwell.
Sterba, J.P., ed., 1998, Ethics: The Big Questions, Oxford: Blackwell, 117-170.
Deontology
Almond, B. 1998, Exploring Ethics: A Travellers Tale, Oxford: Blackwell, 90-107.
Billington, R. 1988, Living Philosophy. An Introduction to Moral Thought, London:
Routledge, 109-131.
Dancy, J. An Ethic of prima Facie Duties, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion
to Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 219-229.
Dancy, J. Intuitionism, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 69-81.
Davis, N. Contemporary Deontology, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to
Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 205-218.
Hill, T.E. Kantianism, in H. LaFollette, ed., 2000, The Blackwell Guide to Ethical
Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 227-246.
Kamm, F.M. Nonconsequentialism, in H. LaFollette, ed., 2000, The Blackwell
Guide to Ethical Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 268-287.
McNaughton, D. Intuitionism, in H. LaFollette, ed., 2000, The Blackwell Guide to
Ethical Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 38-52.
ONeill, O., Kantian Ethics, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics,
Oxford: Blackwell, 175-185.

Sterba, J.P., ed., 1998, Ethics: The Big Questions, Oxford: Blackwell, 171-144.
Virtue Ethics
Almond, B. 1998, Exploring Ethics: A Travellers Tale, Oxford: Blackwell, 108123.
Aristotle, 1998 Nicomachean Ethics, D. Ross (trans), Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
MacIntyre, A. 1981. After Virtue. London, Duckworth.
Pence, G. Virtue Theory, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 249-258.
Slote, M. Virtue Ethics, in H. LaFollette, ed., 2000, The Blackwell Guide to
Ethical Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 325-347.
Statman, D. (ed.) 1997, Virtue Ethics: A Critical Reader, Edinburgh: Edinburgh
University Press.
Sterba, J.P., ed., 1998, Ethics: The Big Questions, Oxford: Blackwell, 245-318.
War, Peace and Terrorism
Bar On, B.A. Why Terrorism is Morally Problematic, in C. Card, ed., 1991,
Feminist Ethics, Lawrence: University of Kansas Press, 107-125.
Coady, C.A.J., War and Terrorism, ,in R.G. Frey et al, eds., 2003, A Companion
to Applied Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 254-266.
Mcmahan, J. War and Peace, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics,
Oxford: Blackwell, 384-398.
Norman, R. (1995), Ethics, Killing and War, Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Shue, H. War in H. Lafollette, ed., 2003, The Oxford Handbook of Practical
Ethics, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 734-762.
Sorabji, R. and Rodin, D. (eds.) 2006, The Ethics of War. Shared Problems in
Different Traditions, Aldershot: Ashgate.
Wallazer, M. (1977) Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical
Illustrations, New York; Basic Books.

Animal Rights
Bostock, S. 1993, Zoos and Animal Rights, London: Routledge.
Callicott, J.B. Animal Liberation: A Triangular Affair, in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997,
Ethics in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 22-32.
Carruthers, P. 1992, The Animals Issue, Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Clark, S. R.L. 1997, Animals and their Moral Standing, London: Routledge.
Fox, M.A. The Moral Community, in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997, Ethics in Practice:
An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 127-138.
Frey, R.G. Moral Standing, the Value of Lives, and Speciesism, in H. Lafollette,
ed., 1997, Ethics in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 139-152.
Frey, R.G. Animals, in H. Lafollette, ed., 2003, The Oxford Handbook of
Practical Ethics, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 161-187.
Gluck, J.P. Learning to See the Animals Again, in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997, Ethics
in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 160-168.
Gruen, L. Animals, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 343-353.
McMahan, J., Animals, in R.G. Frey et al, eds., 2003, A Companion to Applied
Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 525-536.
Regan, T. 1988, The Case for Animal Rights, London: Routledge.
Abortion
Harris, J and Holm, J. Abortion, in H. Lafollette, ed., 2003, The Oxford
Handbook of Practical Ethics, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 112-135.
Kuhse H. and Singer P. Killing and Letting Die, in J. Harris, ed., 2001, Bioethics,
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 42-61.
Little, M.O. Abortion, in R.G. Frey et al, eds., 2003, A Companion to Applied
Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 313-325.

Marquis, D. An Argument that Abortion is Wrong, in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997,

Ethics in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 91-102.
Quinn, W. Abortion: Identity and Loss, in J. Harris, ed., 2001, Bioethics, Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 62-92.
Rothman, B.K. Redefining Abortion, in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997, Ethics in
Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 103-112.
Thomson, J.J. A Defence of Abortion, in P. Singer, ed., 1986, Applied Ethics,
Oxrford: Oxford University Press, 37-56. Also in J. Harris, ed., 2001, Bioethics,
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 25-41.
Warren, M.A. Abortion, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 303-314.
Euthanasia
Battin, M.P. Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide, in H. Lafollette, ed.,
2003, The Oxford Handbook of Practical Ethics, Oxford: Oxford University Press,
673-704.
Battin, M.P., 2005, Ending Life: Ethics and the Way We Die, Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Beauchamp, T.L. Justifying Physician-Assisted Deaths, in H. Lafollette, ed.,
1997, Ethics in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 33-41.
Beauchamp, T.L. and Childress, J.F. 2001, Principles of Biomedical Ethics,
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Buchanan, A. Advance Directives and the Personal Identity Problem, J. Harris,
ed., 2001, Bioethics, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 131-156.
Callahan, D. Terminating Life-Sustaining Treatment of the Demented, in J.
Harris, ed., 2001, Bioethics, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 93-108.
Charlesworth, M. 1993, Bioethics in a Liberal Society, Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Hooker, B. Rule Utilitarianism and Euthanasia, in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997, Ethics
in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 42-51.
Kuhse, H. Euthanasia , in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 294-302.

Macklin, R. Which Way Down the Slippery Slope? Nazi Mdeical Killing and
Euthanasia Today, in J. Harris, ed., 2001, Bioethics, Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 109-130.
Norcross, A., Killing and Letting Die, in R.G. Frey et al, eds., 2003, A
Companion to Applied Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 451-463.
Pence, G. Why Physicians Should Aid the Dying, in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997,
Ethics in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 22-32.
Tolley, M. Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, in R.G. Frey et al, eds., 2003, A
Companion to Applied Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 326-341.
Van Zyl, L.L. 2000, Death and Compassion: a Virtue Based Approach to
Euthanasia, Aldershot: Ashgate.
Freedom of expression, censorship and pornography
Ahsan, M.M. 1991 Sacrilege Versus Civility: Muslim Perspectives on the Satanic
Verses Affair, Islamic Foundation.
Belliotti, R.A. Sex, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 315-326.
Brent-Plate, S. 2002, Religion, Art and Visual Culture, New York: Palgrave, 1-18,
53-58..
Cohn-Sherbok, D. 1990 The Salmon Rushdie Controversy in Interreligious
Perspective, Lampeter: Mellen.
Cornell, D. (ed.) 2000, Feminism and Pornography, Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Dworkin, A. 1981, Pornography: Men Possessing Women, London: Womens
Press.
Dworkin, R. Do we Have a Right to Pornography?, in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997,
Ethics in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 333-337.
Easton, S. 1994, The Problem of Pornography: Regulation and the Right to Free
Speech, London: Routledge.
Gibson, P.C. and Gibson R. Dirty Looks: Women, Pornography, Power, BFI
Press.

Gruen, L. Pornography and Censorship, in R.G. Frey et al, eds., 2003, A

Companion to Applied Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 154-166.
Langton, R. Pornography, Speech Acts, and Silence, in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997,
Ethics in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 338-349.
Mill, J.S. Freedom of Thought and Discussion in H. Lafollette, ed., 1997, Ethics
in Practice: An Anthology, Oxford, Blackwell, 329-332.
Russell, D.E.H. 1993, Making Violence Sexy: Feminist Views on Pornography,
Buckingham: Open University Press.
Sumner, L.W. Hate, Crimes, Literature and Speech, in R.G. Frey et al, eds.,
2003, A Companion to Applied Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 142-153.
Tuana, N. and Shrage, L. Sexuality, in H. Lafollette, ed., 2003, The Oxford
Handbook of Practical Ethics, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 15-41.
Webster, R. 1990. A Brief History of Blasphemy: Liberalism, Censorship and The
Satanic Verses, Southwold: Orwell Press.
Ethical Issues in World Religions
Bilimoria, P. Indian Ethics in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 43-57.
Bowker, J., ed., 1994, Making Moral Decisions, London: Pinter.
Coward, H. G., Lipner, J.J., Young, K.K. (1991) Hindu Ethics, Delhi: Indian Books
Centre.
De Silva, P. Buddhist Ethics, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics,
Oxford: Blackwell, 58-68.
Dorff, E. N. (ed) 1995, Contemporary Jewish ethics and morality : a Reader,
Oxford: Oxford University press.
Gill, R. (ed.) 2001 The Cambridge Companion to Christian Ethics, Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Hansen, C. Classical Chinese Ethics, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to
Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell, 69-81.
Harvey, P. (2000) An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.

Hebblethwaite, B. L. 1997, Ethics and religion in a pluralistic age : collected

essays, Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
Jackson, R. and Killingley, D., 1991, Moral issues in the Hindu Tradition, Stoke
on Trent: Trentham.
Kalupahana, D. J. 1995, Ethics in Early Buddhism, Honolulu: University of
HawaiI Press.
Kellner, M. Jewish Ethics, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics,
Oxford: Blackwell, 82-90.
Keown, D. 2001, The Nature of Buddhist Ethics, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Keown, D. 2000, Contemporary Buddhist ethics, Richmond: Curzon.
Nanji, A. Islamic Ethics in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell, 106-120.
Parrinder, G. 1998, Sexual Morality in the Worlds Religions, Oxford: One World.
Preston, R. Christian Ethics, in P. Singer, ed, 1993, A Companion to Ethics,
Oxford: Blackwell, 91-105.
Saddhatissa, H. 1997, Buddhist Ethics, Boston: Wisdom Publications.
Schweiker, W. 2005, The Blackwell Companion to Religious Ethics, Oxford:
Blackwell.
Sorabji, R. and Rodin, D. (eds.) 2006, The Ethics of War. Shared Problems in
Different Traditions, Aldershot: Ashgate.
The Journal of Religious Ethics is a useful periodical available in the library. See
also The Journal of Buddhist Ethics at jbe.gold.ac.uk/