Day 1: Intro to Ethics

Here is the Powerpoint from Day 1:
http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/imhotep1.ppt

Our discussion of the three little sample arguments today is found in this paper:
"Rational Engagement, Emotional Response and the Prospects for Progress in Animal Use 'Debates'" (in WORD) for Jeremy Garrett, ed., Animal Research in Theory and Practice (MIT Basic Bioethics Series. 2009). [Final version , shortened a bit]. Here's a draft of an APPENDIX that addresses more arguments.

The moral theory building exercise is discussed here, as are other intro to ethics matters:
http://ethicsandanimals.googlepages.com/lectures.htm#_Lecture_1:_Introduction

Day-Date	Topic(s)	Required Readings & Writing Assignment
Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 8:00 a.m.-8:50 a.m., Nabrit-Mapp-McBay Lecture Room II	Introduction to Ethics; Introduction to Logic; Values in Science	READINGS: 1. Bernard Rollin, Preface, Ch. 1, “The Waxing and Waning of Faith in Science,” Ch. 2, “Scientific Ideology and ‘Value Free’ Science,” in Science and Ethics (Cambridge UP 2006). 2. James Rachels, “Some Basic Points About Arguments” from The Right Thing to Do (McGraw Hill): http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/rachels-on-arguments.pdf 3. Rachels, “A Short Introduction to Moral Philosophy,” from The Right Thing to Do (McGraw Hill): http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/rachels-intro-to-ethics.pdf 4. Tom Regan, “The Case for Animal Rights,” (widely reprinted) (provides an overview of ethical theory and a defense of theory of moral rights for humans and animals who are “subjects of a life”): http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/regancase_for_animal_rights.pdf 5. Ch. 3, “What is Ethics?” in Science and Ethics (Cambridge UP 2006). WRITING ASSIGNMENT 1 (due at the beginning of class): Rachels, Regan and Rollin survey some influential moral theories. Which theory or theories are best – in terms of explaining the basic difference between right and wrong actions? Why? Explain the theory (or theories) and why it (or they) is (or are) best. Explain why other theories are inferior. Defend your view with reasons. 3 pages.