This course is an introduction to Applied Ethics, which is the use of philosophical tools, theories and concepts to understand and discuss contemporary moral issues. The course will introduce you to these tools, theories and concepts as we examine a number of contemporary moral issues, such as euthanasia and freedom of expression.
The point of this course is not to convince you that any one particular set of answers is the right one, but to provide you with the tools and assistance you need in order to formulate your own answers. You will be evaluated on how well you understand the underlying moral issues and how well you are able to argue about them. Thus, it is possible (and often happens) that two people who take opposing positions on almost every issue can both receive equally high grades.
The job of the teaching staff in the various assignments and tutorial discussions is to stimulate your thinking by asking you to defend your views against critical questions (this is called the Socratic Method and is almost as old as philosophy itself). Please understand that criticizing a view is not the same as criticizing a person. Socrates said: "I am one of those who are willing to be refuted if I say anything which is not true, and willing to refute anyone else who says what is not true, and just as happy to be refuted as to refute." The main point here is that if, above all, we seek the truth, then being proven wrong is a blessing because it moves us closer to the truth (or at least further away from falsehoods). So, we should seek to prove others wrong, and be proven wrong ourselves. Basically, everyone who values truth benefits from frank, open, and potentially challenging discussion on important issues.