Lec 1Lec 1

PHIL 2525PHIL 2525Contemporary Moral Contemporary Moral IssuesIssuesLecture 1Lecture 1

PhilosophyPhilosophy PHIL is both a study PHIL is both a study

and a practiceand a practice PHIL means the PHIL means the ‘‘love love

of wisdomof wisdom’’ Wisdom is as Wisdom is as

wisdom doeswisdom does The purpose of The purpose of

wisdom?wisdom?

Nietzsche, Clint Eastwood, Nietzsche, Clint Eastwood, Woody Allen, Eric Hoffer, Hume, Woody Allen, Eric Hoffer, Hume, Socrates, Epictetus, Henry Socrates, Epictetus, Henry MillerMiller

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~bgeis/philo/philosophy.html

The Biggest Question….The Biggest Question….

Does it matter how I live Does it matter how I live my life?my life?

Canadian War MuseumCanadian War MuseumWhat is a museum for?What is a museum for?Who is a museum for?Who is a museum for?

Dresden Feb. 1945Dresden Feb. 1945

Dresden Feb. 1945Dresden Feb. 1945

Canadian War MuseumCanadian War MuseumWhat is a museum for?What is a museum for?Who is a museum for?Who is a museum for?

Reading and writing in Reading and writing in philosophyphilosophy

Thinking and reading Thinking and reading and thinking about and thinking about the issuethe issue

From first intimations From first intimations to second thoughtsto second thoughts

Refining the claimRefining the claim Supporting the claimSupporting the claim Putting it together Putting it together

and checking it twiceand checking it twice

Marking scheme & Marking scheme & Textbook Textbook

Written WorkWritten Work 4040 AttendanceAttendance 1010 ParticipationParticipation 1010 MidtermMidterm 1010 Final ExamFinal Exam 3030

The Walrus The Walrus and the and the

CarpenterCarpenter

Tenniel’s drawingTenniel’s drawing

The sun was shining on the sea,The sun was shining on the sea,Shining with all his might:Shining with all his might:He did his very best to makeHe did his very best to makeThe billows smooth and bright--The billows smooth and bright--And this was odd, because it And this was odd, because it waswasThe middle of the night.The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,The moon was shining sulkily,Because she thought the sunBecause she thought the sunHad got no business to be thereHad got no business to be thereAfter the day was done--After the day was done--"It's very rude of him," she said,"It's very rude of him," she said,"To come and spoil the fun!""To come and spoil the fun!"

The sea was wet as wet could be,The sea was wet as wet could be,The sands were dry as dry.The sands were dry as dry.You could not see a cloud, You could not see a cloud, becausebecauseNo cloud was in the sky:No cloud was in the sky:No birds were flying overhead--No birds were flying overhead--There were no birds to fly.There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the CarpenterThe Walrus and the CarpenterWere walking close at hand;Were walking close at hand;They wept like anything to seeThey wept like anything to seeSuch quantities of sand:Such quantities of sand:"If this were only cleared away,""If this were only cleared away,"They said, "it would be grand!"They said, "it would be grand!"

"If seven maids with seven mops"If seven maids with seven mopsSwept it for half a year.Swept it for half a year.Do you suppose," the Walrus said,Do you suppose," the Walrus said,"That they could get it clear?""That they could get it clear?""I doubt it," said the Carpenter,"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,And shed a bitter tear.And shed a bitter tear.

"O Oysters, come and walk with us!""O Oysters, come and walk with us!"The Walrus did beseech.The Walrus did beseech."A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,Along the briny beach:Along the briny beach:We cannot do with more than four,We cannot do with more than four,To give a hand to each."To give a hand to each."

The eldest Oyster looked at him,The eldest Oyster looked at him,But never a word he said:But never a word he said:The eldest Oyster winked his eye,The eldest Oyster winked his eye,And shook his heavy head--And shook his heavy head--Meaning to say he did not chooseMeaning to say he did not chooseTo leave the oyster-bed.To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,But four young Oysters hurried up,All eager for the treat:All eager for the treat:Their coats were brushed, their faces Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,washed,Their shoes were clean and neat--Their shoes were clean and neat--And this was odd, because, you know,And this was odd, because, you know,They hadn't any feet.They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed Four other Oysters followed them,them,And yet another four;And yet another four;And thick and fast they came at And thick and fast they came at last,last,And more, and more, and more--And more, and more, and more--All hopping through the frothy All hopping through the frothy waves,waves,And scrambling to the shore.And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the CarpenterThe Walrus and the CarpenterWalked on a mile or so,Walked on a mile or so,And then they rested on a rockAnd then they rested on a rockConveniently low:Conveniently low:And all the little Oysters stoodAnd all the little Oysters stoodAnd waited in a row.And waited in a row.

"The time has come," the Walrus "The time has come," the Walrus said,said,"To talk of many things:"To talk of many things:Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--wax--Of cabbages--and kings--Of cabbages--and kings--And why the sea is boiling hot--And why the sea is boiling hot--And whether pigs have wings."And whether pigs have wings."

But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,"Before we have our chat;"Before we have our chat;For some of us are out of breath,For some of us are out of breath,And all of us are fat!"And all of us are fat!""No hurry!" said the Carpenter."No hurry!" said the Carpenter.They thanked him much for that.They thanked him much for that.

"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,"Is what we chiefly need:"Is what we chiefly need:Pepper and vinegar besidesPepper and vinegar besidesAre very good indeed--Are very good indeed--Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,We can begin to feed."We can begin to feed."

"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,Turning a little blue.Turning a little blue."After such kindness, that would "After such kindness, that would bebeA dismal thing to do!"A dismal thing to do!""The night is fine," the Walrus said."The night is fine," the Walrus said."Do you admire the view?"Do you admire the view?

"It was so kind of you to come!"It was so kind of you to come!And you are very nice!"And you are very nice!"The Carpenter said nothing butThe Carpenter said nothing but"Cut us another slice:"Cut us another slice:I wish you were not quite so deaf--I wish you were not quite so deaf--I've had to ask you twice!"I've had to ask you twice!"

"It seems a shame," the Walrus "It seems a shame," the Walrus said,said,"To play them such a trick,"To play them such a trick,After we've brought them out so After we've brought them out so far,far,And made them trot so quick!"And made them trot so quick!"The Carpenter said nothing butThe Carpenter said nothing but"The butter's spread too thick!"The butter's spread too thick!““

"I weep for you," the Walrus said:"I weep for you," the Walrus said:"I deeply sympathize.""I deeply sympathize."With sobs and tears he sorted outWith sobs and tears he sorted outThose of the largest size,Those of the largest size,Holding his pocket-handkerchiefHolding his pocket-handkerchiefBefore his streaming eyes.Before his streaming eyes.

"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,"You've had a pleasant run!"You've had a pleasant run!Shall we be trotting home again?'Shall we be trotting home again?'But answer came there none--But answer came there none--And this was scarcely odd, And this was scarcely odd, becausebecauseThey'd eaten every one.They'd eaten every one.

The Walrus The Walrus and the and the

CarpenterCarpenter

Tenniel’s drawingTenniel’s drawing Why did I choose Why did I choose

this poem? this poem? What can the story What can the story

teach us?teach us? Layers of readingLayers of reading……

surface, analogy, surface, analogy, metaphor, parablemetaphor, parable

The Walrus The Walrus and the and the

CarpenterCarpenter

Tenniel’s drawingTenniel’s drawing Species specific Species specific

arrogance arrogance Animal RightsAnimal Rights Political Political

interpretationsinterpretations Religious Religious

interpretationsinterpretations

Theories Theories about… about…

human happiness human happiness human obligationshuman obligations human rights human rights human sociabilityhuman sociability human human

governancegovernance Etc. Etc.

Stoicism Stoicism EpicureanismEpicureanism Utilitarianism Utilitarianism EgoismEgoism Etc.Etc.

Some Some philosophers philosophers

who addressed who addressed these these

questions:questions: Socrates Socrates Plato Plato Aristotle Aristotle Hobbes Hobbes Kant Kant Mill Mill etc.etc.

We will practice… We will practice…

asking good questionsasking good questions thinking beyond the first easy thinking beyond the first easy

answersanswers supporting our conclusionssupporting our conclusions judging the reasons offered in judging the reasons offered in

support of other viewpointssupport of other viewpoints changing our minds when the other changing our minds when the other

side has better reasonsside has better reasons

Philosophy in the Philosophy in the News:News:

U of T bans bottled U of T bans bottled waterwater

Sept. 11, 2011 Sept. 11, 2011 Social justice group helps Social justice group helps campuses with gradual phase-outcampuses with gradual phase-outA day is coming where there will be no A day is coming where there will be no plastic water bottles on campus. This coming plastic water bottles on campus. This coming year food services departments, campus cafes, year food services departments, campus cafes, libraries, and other buildings will be phasing libraries, and other buildings will be phasing out the use and sale of plastic water bottles. out the use and sale of plastic water bottles. http://thevarsity.ca/articles/47145http://thevarsity.ca/articles/47145

Philosophy in the News:Philosophy in the News:U of T bans bottled waterU of T bans bottled water

““Water is a public resource and basic human Water is a public resource and basic human right,” said Ando Petro, member of PWI {student right,” said Ando Petro, member of PWI {student organization called Public Water Initiative}.organization called Public Water Initiative}.

““So when you are making it okay for people to So when you are making it okay for people to pay for water like you do with bottled water, pay for water like you do with bottled water, then you are commodifying this public resource then you are commodifying this public resource and basic human right and that makes it okay to and basic human right and that makes it okay to say that only those who can afford it can have say that only those who can afford it can have access to water.”access to water.”

Ethics in the news…Ethics in the news…““Too good to play?Too good to play?””

““Nine-year-old Nine-year-old Jericho Scott has Jericho Scott has been banned from been banned from pitching in a New pitching in a New Haven, Conn. youth Haven, Conn. youth baseball league baseball league because he throws because he throws so hard that he so hard that he frightens the other frightens the other players, according players, according to league officials.to league officials.””

Ethics in the news…Ethics in the news…““Too good to play?Too good to play?””

What are the ethical What are the ethical questions here?questions here?

What rights are the What rights are the two sides defending?two sides defending?

Is there some middle Is there some middle ground?ground?

Art or Art or Child Child

Abuse?Abuse?

Olympia Nelson Olympia Nelson taken by her taken by her mother 2003mother 2003

Beatrice Hatch Beatrice Hatch taken by Lewis taken by Lewis

Carroll Carroll 18731873

Evelyn Hatch Evelyn Hatch taken taken

byby Lewis Carroll Lewis Carroll

Other 19Other 19thth C. artistic C. artistic photographyphotography

Taken byTaken by

Julia Margaret Julia Margaret Cameron, British Cameron, British photographerphotographer

Does it make a Does it make a difference that a difference that a woman took the woman took the picture? Does it picture? Does it matter who the matter who the child is?child is?

Cheaters do Cheaters do prosper, prosper,

but...but...

....in Canada, of ....in Canada, of 20,000 first-year 20,000 first-year students at 11 post-students at 11 post-secondary schools, secondary schools, 53 per cent admitted 53 per cent admitted to plagiarism... to plagiarism...

73 per cent said they 73 per cent said they had cheated in high had cheated in high school...school...

Dear Prudence,Dear Prudence,

I have done something so vile that I can't stand to look I have done something so vile that I can't stand to look at myself in the mirror. I have a younger sister who is at myself in the mirror. I have a younger sister who is stunningly beautiful, while I'm rather plain by stunningly beautiful, while I'm rather plain by comparison. Growing up, my boyfriends all lost interest comparison. Growing up, my boyfriends all lost interest in me once they set eyes on her. When I was dating the in me once they set eyes on her. When I was dating the man who is now my husband, I was afraid that the same man who is now my husband, I was afraid that the same thing would happen. As a preventative measure, before thing would happen. As a preventative measure, before he even met her, I told him that she slept around a lot he even met her, I told him that she slept around a lot and as a consequence had contracted HIV. Needless to and as a consequence had contracted HIV. Needless to say, he never showed any interest in her. Several years say, he never showed any interest in her. Several years and two kids later, my husband is always asking about and two kids later, my husband is always asking about her health. She's even asked me why my husband always her health. She's even asked me why my husband always seems so concerned about how she's doing. He's the seems so concerned about how she's doing. He's the sensitive type, and I know that he worries about her. I sensitive type, and I know that he worries about her. I want to come clean, but how can I explain such a want to come clean, but how can I explain such a horrible lie?horrible lie?

——Sister Is Healthy As a HorseSister Is Healthy As a Horse

Dear Sister,Dear Sister,

Shades of Rachel and Leah crossed with the daughters Shades of Rachel and Leah crossed with the daughters of King Lear. I understand your self-loathing because of King Lear. I understand your self-loathing because not only is your original lie chilling, but you have let not only is your original lie chilling, but you have let this tale fester for so long. It's a miracle you weren't this tale fester for so long. It's a miracle you weren't found out by your husband expressing his concern to found out by your husband expressing his concern to other family members. However, the good news is that other family members. However, the good news is that you recognize how sad and ugly your actions were, and you recognize how sad and ugly your actions were, and you want to make amends. Although your sister was you want to make amends. Although your sister was the subject of your lie, your husband is the object of the subject of your lie, your husband is the object of your deceit. Go someplace private and tell your your deceit. Go someplace private and tell your husband there is a part of your life that you never fully husband there is a part of your life that you never fully discussed with him. Say that when you were growing discussed with him. Say that when you were growing up, your sister's beauty was a kind of torture for you. up, your sister's beauty was a kind of torture for you.

Whenever a boy showed any interest in you, as soon as he Whenever a boy showed any interest in you, as soon as he gazed upon her, he couldn't even remember your name. gazed upon her, he couldn't even remember your name. Explain that you know jealousy is a terrible, destructive Explain that you know jealousy is a terrible, destructive emotion and you hate how you let it scar your youth. emotion and you hate how you let it scar your youth. Then say that when you met him, you were so Then say that when you met him, you were so immediately happy with him that you were tormented immediately happy with him that you were tormented by the thought that he might be attracted to your sister. by the thought that he might be attracted to your sister. (By this point, he should be starting to get your drift.) (By this point, he should be starting to get your drift.) Confess that you told the terrible lie about her being Confess that you told the terrible lie about her being HIV-positive just so it wouldn't happen. Add that what HIV-positive just so it wouldn't happen. Add that what you did is not a comment on his character but on your you did is not a comment on his character but on your insecurity. Say your sister is in perfect health, but your insecurity. Say your sister is in perfect health, but your lie has made you sick at heart, and all you can do is beg lie has made you sick at heart, and all you can do is beg his forgiveness. his forgiveness.

——PrudiePrudie

http://www.slate.com/id/2224925?obref=obinsitehttp://www.slate.com/id/2224925?obref=obinsite