Course Description

This course critically examines some moral controversies in contemporary society. It aims to help students develop their ability to think in intellectually sophisticated ways about difficult issues of personal and public morality. The course focuses on controversial moral topics: euthanasia, assisted suicide, abortion, organ sales and donation, human enhancement through biomedical technologies, prostitution, and the use of animals. These topics concern not only personal morality but also social or public morality. Students will be asked to discuss not only whether the above practices are moral or immoral, but also whether they should be prohibited, regulated, recognized, or supported by law. It is hoped that students will be better equipped to evaluate opposing arguments about the proper use of law in regulating personal conduct and social interaction. In the course of discussing these topics, students will be introduced to major moral approaches, such as consequentialism, and deontology, as well as methods of critical thinking in moral reasoning.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

1. Open-mindedly consider different viewpoints in moral controversies.
2. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of different philosophical and popular arguments in the four topic areas of the course.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the major moral philosophical approaches and techniques in moral reasoning.
4. Formulate and critically assess personal positions/convictions.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

First semester (Wed)

Study Load

Assessment: 100% coursework

Required Reading

• Ericsson, L. (1980). Charges against Prostitution: An Attempt at a Philosophical Assessment. Ethics, 90(3), 335-66. 
• Fabre, C. (2003). Justice and the Compulsory Taking of Live Body Parts. Utilitas, 15(2).
• Kuhse, H., & Singer, P. (Eds.). (2015). Bioethics: An Anthology. Oxford: Blackwell.
  • Harris, J. The Survival Lottery. 
  • Singer, P. All Animals are Equal. 
  • Tooley, M. Abortion and Infanticide.
  • Marquis, D. Why Abortion is Immoral.
• Lawford-Smith, H., & Pepper, A. (2024). Is it Wrong to Buy Sex? A Debate. Abingdon: Routledge. [Chap. 1]
• Pence, G. (1997). Why Physicians Should Aid the Dying. In H. LaFollete (Ed.), Ethics in Practice: An Anthology. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Ryberg, J. (2020). Neurointerventions, Crime, and Punishment: Ethical Considerations. New York: Oxford University Press. [Chap. 1]
• Sahar, D.C. (2022). Why It’s OK to Eat Meat. Abingdon: Routledge. [Chaps. 4 & 5]
• Savulescu, J., & Kahane, G. (2009). The Moral Obligation to Create Children with the Best Chance of the Best Life. Bioethics, 23(5), 274–290. [Parts 1 and 2 only]
• Velleman, J. D. (1999). A Right of Self‐Termination? Ethics, 109(3), 606-628.

Course Co-ordinator and Teacher(s)