Aristotle Quotes

Virtue, then, is a state of character concerned with choice, lying in a mean, ie. The mean relative to us, this being determined by a rational principle, and by that principle by which the man of practical wisdom would determine it (Aristotle).

The function of man then is activity of soul in accordance with reason, or not apart from reason (Aristotle).

Fall 2006 Syllibus

ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES, LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY
COURSE NUMBER: ETHICS 7100: PROFESSIONAL & APPLIED ETHICS
Fall 2006

Instructor: Dr. Jack Simmons
Telephone: 921-7336
Office: 202A Gamble Hall
E-mail: simmonja@mail.armstrong.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday: 3:45-5:00, Wednesday 2:00-6:00

Course Description
What is a profession? Do professions have ethics? What role have professions had in shaping society? What occupations are in professions? What moral obligations are attached to professional status? This course is designed to encourage reflection upon the specific ethical issues and dilemmas that confront professionals in the workplace. This includes consideration of social justice, merit, individual liberty, freedom of communication, privacy, informed consent, confidentiality, utility, the work ethic and collective responsibility.

Course Objectives
Ø To introduce students to the basic types of ethical reasoning.
Ø Learn the basic tools for ethical reasoning: fallacies, ethical systems, theories of truth, descriptive/prescriptive arguments,
moral/theological values, tacit values/psychoanalysis.
Ø Isolate values in conflicts.
Ø Learn to apply these ethical tools to solve practical problems in the workplace.
Ø Learn to write a one-page position paper.

Readings
Kant
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant-moral/
http://www.msu.org/ethics/content_ethics/texts/kant/kant.html
Aristotle
http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html (Book 1, 2)
Mill
http://www.utilitarianism.com/jsmill.htm (Chapter 1,2,4,5)
Marx
http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/
Irigaray
“This Sex Which Is Not One,” Luce Irigaray (on e-reserve with the Lane Library)

Assignments and Grading
1. Six position papers: Each paper must be one-page typed, plus supporting documentation.
2. Midterm Exam
3. Presentations of case studies: students will present the case studies that they plan to review for their final presentation. They will cover the details of the case. The class will discuss the potential ethical liabilities in each case.
4. Class Presentation: students will present one-page position papers on the case studies that they have conducted.

Student Assignments Percentage of Grade
Position Papers 30%
Midterm Exam 30%
Presentation of Case Study 10%
Class Presentation 30%


To a young man who complained that he was ill suited to study philosophy, Diogenes said "Why then do you live, if you do not care to live well?"

Schedule (Actual classroom progress may vary)
8/16 Conversation – Do Professions have Ethics? What would that mean? What is your profession? Explain the position paper. What is a case study?
8/23 Read Aristotle – Values and the 15 Habits of Successful People, and interview a professor at AASU and ask that person what excellence and virtue in their profession is.
Assignment 1 – Please do the following in a one-page position paper. 1. Describe Aristotle’s characterization of virtue, excellence and happiness. 2. How are these three related? 3. Report on what the professor identified as excellence and virtue in that profession. Compare the professor’s response with Aristotle’s characterization of virtue and excellence.
8/30 Read J.S. Mill on Utilitarianism. Find a case study.
Assignment II – Describe the case in a one-page position paper. Use Mill’s utilitarianism to evaluate the conclusion of the study.
9/13 Read Kant. Discuss Fallacies. Discuss values, hidden values and value conflicts.
Assignment III – Do most professions function on utilitarian or deontological principles? Use a specific professional example (not college professors) to demonstrate your position in a position paper.
9/20 Read Marx.
Assignment IV – Research a business or non-profit organization. Find the stated values of that institution (in the value statement or mission statement). In a position paper, identify at least one hidden value, a potential value conflict, and how the Marxists might critique these values.
9/27 Guest Speaker. Reading assignment contingent upon speaker.
10/4 Read Irigaray.
Assignment V - In a position paper, explain how Irigaray’s analysis of sexuality should alter our understanding of any case or profession that another student has discussed this semester.
10/11 Midterm exam. Discussion topic – can a profession be unethical?
10/18 Research another ethicist that relates directly to the profession in which you participate or plan to participate.
Assignment VI – Present to the class a summary and analysis of this ethic, considering possible criticisms from the ethicists discussed in class.
10/25 Guest Speaker
11/1 Presentations of case studies
11/8 Presentations of case studies
11/15 Presentations of case studies
11/22 Thanksgiving
11/29 Class Presentations
12/6 Class Presentations

Course Policies
Electronics: No beepers, mobile telephones or other noise making electronic devices are allowed in class. If you must carry one, make sure it is off, and hidden so that the professor cannot see it.
Academic Honor Code: Plagiarism and/or cheating will result in automatic failure of the course, and possible disciplinary action through established university procedures.
Attendance: Students must attend class. Students are allowed two excused absences in the first 10 weeks of the class. Students should under no circumstances inform the instructor of the reason for their absence. A circumstance that causes a student to miss two classes is simply bad luck. Any circumstance that causes a student to miss more than two classes sounds more like carelessness. Absence from class in no way excuses the student from any assignment.
Visitor Policy: The classroom remains open to all adult visitors, including all AASU faculty, administration and staff. Visitors are encouraged to participate in classroom activities.
Free Speech: The Ethics 7100 classroom is a free speech zone. This means that students, faculty and visitors may offer any ideas they like, and use any words available in English or any other language that they feel necessary to express their ideas. Students, faculty and visitors may exercise their free speech without fear of retaliation. The only limit on free speech is that comments must be directed to the classroom, not to individuals in the classroom. Comments in class do not necessarily represent the views of Armstrong Atlantic State University, and may not represent the views of the student, faculty member or visitor member making the comment. Speakers may be called upon to defend any idea presented in class.

There exists no moral system under which there do not arise unequivocal cases of conflicting obligation.
Mill