This course will investigate such questions. Our overall goal will be to gain a better understanding of these issues and their ethical implications by carefully and critically reading, thinking, and talking about them. There are four main parts to the course, as follow. The Environmental Crisis will examine the current state of the environment and the likely causes for its multiple crises. Animals will discuss the various degrees of value which people have proposed for animals.
Philosophy requires verbal discussion as much as written argument.
It is expected that you have done the readings before we discuss them. It is strongly suggested that you do each reading twice before class. Philosophy may be brief but it is never simple- don't underestimate the author. The purpose of these assignment is to help you clarify your understanding of the readings and to help you think about the various dimensions of these issues. These assignments will be one page, typewritten reaction papers on a specified topic handed out in advance.