Applying an Ethical Theory

Required Resources

Required Text

(SEE ATTACHED FILE CHAPTER 6. HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW IS THE SECTIONS TO BE READ.)

• Mosser, K. (2013). Understanding philosophy [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/

  • Chapter 6: Traditional Theories of Ethics

    • Deontology

    • Problems with Deontology

    • Promises

    • Free Speech

Text

• Kant, I. (2008). Groundwork for the metaphysic of morals. In J. Bennett (Ed. & Trans.), Early Modern Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdfs/kant1785.pdf (Original work published in 1785)

  • Please read the sections from Chapters 1 and 2 marked in red in the document available in the online classroom. Immanuel Kant was one of the most important philosophers of the modern period, and this text articulates and defends what some philosophers consider as the definitive expression of deontological ethics, the Categorical Imperative. (SEE ATTACHED FILE KANT)

Article

• Nagel, T. (1972). War and massacre. Philosophy and Public Affairs, 1(2), 123-144.

  • The full-text version of this article can be accessed through the JSTOR database in the Ashford University Library. You are required to only read condensed version of the article available in the online classroom. In this article, Nagel defends an “absolutist” position that holds that there are certain actions that should never be done in war, even if they may bring beneficial consequences. These include the intentional killing of civilians and the use of weapons of mass destruction such as biological weapons and nuclear bombs. (SEE ATTACHED FILE)

Multimedia

• Thames, B. [Brad Thames]. (2013, May 3). Drones are ethical and effective|Kenneth Anderson|Oxford union [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/-w8jCU9EFYI

  • In this video, Kenneth Anderson argues that the precision of drones justifies their use and makes them ethically superior to other weapon systems.
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• Thames, B. [Brad Thames]. (2013, May 3). Drones are not ethical and effective|Prof. Jeremy Waldron|Oxford union [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/VFHwri2Tpus

  • In this video, Professor Jeremy Waldron argues that drone warfare as it is currently conducted is unethical because it violates traditional principles that define our historical understanding of war. Transcript
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• Snapmanger. (2015, April 27). Curb your enthusiasm – waiting room policy [Video file]. Retrieved from http://cms.springboardplatform.com/embed_iframe/2653/video/798599/what003/whatculture.com/5

  • In this scene from Curb Your Enthusiasm,the main character must deal with the outcomes of demanding consistency in application of deontological principles.
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• WestmontTV. (2013, March 7). What is just war theory, Michael Walzer, Feb. 21, 2013 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/9f4XuOkMCSA

  • Start this video at the 14:26 minute mark. In this video, Michael Walzer discusses the principles of just war theory by comparing actions in war time to actions in civil life, and examining the moral equivalency of soldiers on both sides of the battlefield. Transcript
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