Utilitarianism
Phil 120a, Spring 2014
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11:00-11:50
Instructor: Ben Sherman
Office: Rabb Graduate Center rm. 316
Email:
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 12:00-1:00; or by appointment
Course Description
In this course we will look at the development of Utilitarian theory since the late 18th century, including the major arguments for the position, major challenges to the theory, adjustments over the years, and defenses offered to critics.
Learning Goals
1. Familiarize students with one of the major ethical theories of the modern era, and its history.
2. Develop critical awareness of the arguments for and against Utilitarianism, and the variety of forms the theory can take.
3. Learn the basic elements and skills involved in Utilitarian reasoning.
4. Build or reinforce good writing practices through substantial writing projects, in-class workshops, and paper revisions.
Laptop Policy
No laptops, please, as they are apt to distract from class discussions.
Academic Integrity
All material submitted for a grade should be the student’s own original, independent work. All uses of others’ work should be properly documented through notes and citations. Unauthorized collaboration, plagiarism, and any other violation of University policies on academic integrity will result in disciplinary action, which can include grading penalties, suspension, or dismissal. If you have questions about what constitutes academic dishonesty, please consult the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, contact the Office of Student Development and Conduct, or ask the instructor. More information can be found at
Disability
Please let me know as soon as possible if you have a documented disability on record at Brandeis. I will be glad to make the appropriate arrangements.
Readings
In the first unit, most readings will be drawn from either The Classical Utilitarians: Bentham and Mill, ed. Troyer, The Methods of Ethics, 7th ed., by Henry Sidgwick. All other readings will be made available through Latte.
Requirements
All students are expected to participate in class discussion and take responsibility for understanding key materials. Grades will be based on two papers (including participation in the revision process).
In-class presentation or written overview of one of Sidgwick’s criticisms of traditional intuitions—10%
8-10 page paper on one or more of the classic Utilitarians (Bentham, Mill, or Sidgwick)—30%
10-15 page final paper—50%
Engaged participation—5%
As this is a writing-intensive course, there will be opportunities for revision with both papers, and papers will be graded on quality of composition as well as on philosophical merits.
Class Schedule
Readings marked CU# can be found in The Classic Utilitarians on the given page numbers. Readings marked ME# will be found in The Methods of Ethics in the given book and chapter number. Other readings will be available on Latte.
Unit I: Classical Utilitarianism
Mon 1/13: Welcome and Introduction; a quick history of pre-classical Utilitarianism
Weds 1/15: Jeremy Bentham on “The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number” (CU 92)
Bentham on “Push-Pin and Poetry” (CU 94)
Bentham, Principles of Morals and Legislation Ch. I, II, IV and VIII (CU 8-26)
Thurs 1/16: Bentham, PML Ch. XIII-XV (CU 26-48)
Monday 1/20: No class, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Weds 1/22: Bentham, PML Ch. XVII (CU 48-61)
John Stuart Mill, “Remarks on Bentham’s Philosophy”(CU 256-69)
Thurs 1/23: Mill, A System of Logic, Book VI, Ch. XII (CU 248-55)
Mon 1/27: Mill, On Liberty, Ch. I (CU 150-62)
Weds 1/29: Mill, OL, Ch. II (CU 162-93)
Thurs 1/30: Mill, OL, Ch. III (CU 193-208)
Mon 2/3: Mill, Utilitarianism, Ch. I-III (CU 95-122)
Weds2/5: Mill, Utilitarianism, Ch. IV-V (CU 122-147)
Suggested Reading: excerpt from Mill’s Autobiography (Latte)
Thurs 2/6: ME I.vii, “Intuitionism”
ME I.ix, “Good”
Suggested Reading: ME I.iv, “Pleasure and Desire”
Mon 2/10: ME III.i, “Intuitionism”
Weds 2/12: Choose a chapter from ME Book III, prepare to discuss in class
Thurs 2/13: More discussion of ME Book III
In-class exercise: Brainstorming thesis ideas
2/15-2/23: No class, February Break
Mon 2/24: ME III.xi, “Review of the Morality of Common Sense”
Weds 2/26: ME III.xii, “Philosophical Intuitionism”
Thurs 2/27: ME III.xiv, “Ultimate Good”
Mon 3/3: In-class peer review exercise on paper drafts
Weds 3/5: ME IV.i.2
Derek Parfit, Reasons and Persons Ch. 17, “The Repugnant Conclusion” (Latte)
Peter Singer, excerpt from Practical Ethics (Latte)
Thurs 3/6: ME IV.iii, “The Relation of Utilitarianism to the Morality of Common Sense”
8-10 Page Paper due
Mon 3/10: ME IV.iv, “The Method of Utilitarianism”
Weds 3/12: ME IV.v, “The Method of Utilitarianism (continued)”
Thurs 3/13: ME Concluding Chapter: “The Mutual Relations of the Three Methods”
Derek Parfit, §§54-56 from Reasons and Persons (Latte)
Unit II: 20th Century Utilitarianism and Its Critics
Note: All readings for this unit will be found on Latte
Mon 3/17: G. E. Moore, excerpts from Principia Ethica and Ethics
Weds 3/19: W. D. Ross, excerpt from The Right and the Good Ch. 2, “What Makes Right Acts Right?”
Thurs 3/20: A. J. Ayer, excerpt from Language, Truth and Logic Ch. VI, “Critique of Ethics and Theology”
Deadline for revisions of 8-10 Page Paper
Mon 3/24: R. M. Hare, excerpts from Moral Thinking
Suggested reading: J. L. Mackie, excerpts from Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong
David Brink, excerpts fromMoral Realism and the Foundations of Ethics
Weds 3/26: A. J. Ayer, “The Principle of Utility”
Suggested Reading: F. P. Ramsey, excerpt from “Truth and Probability”
Thurs 3/27: David Lyons, excerpt from The Forms and Limits of Utilitarianism
Mon 3/31:John Rawls, excerpts from A Theory of Justice
Weds 4/2: J. J. C. Smart, “Utilitarianism and Justice”
Thurs 4/3:Derek Parfit, excerpts from Reasons and Persons Ch. 11 and 15
Mon 4/7: R. B. Brandt, excerpts from A Theory of the Good and the Right
Weds 4/9: AmartyaSen, “Plural Utility”
Thurs 4/10: Derek Parfit, “What Makes Someone’s Life Go Best?” from Reasons and Persons
Proposals for Final Paper due
Mon 4/14: James Griffin, excerpt from Well-Being, Its Meaning, Measurement and Moral Importance
Weds 4/16-Tues 4/22: No class, Passover Break
Weds 4/23: Peter Railton, “Alienation, Consequentialism, and the Demands of Morality”
Thurs 4/24: Peter Singer, Practical Ethics Ch. 8, “Rich and Poor”
Mon 4/28: Final discussion
Optional draft of Final Paper Due
Final Paper Due Date: 5/7