Undergraduate Course: Environmental Ethics (PHIL10147)
Course Outline
School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
Home subject area | Philosophy |
Other subject area | None |
Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
Course description | This course examines some of the central theoretical and practical ethical questions arising out of the distinctive relation human beings have to the natural environment. The first half of the course will focus on theoretical topics, such as (nonexhaustive list): (i) how we should reason under uncertainty in long timescales, (ii) the nature and appropriate distribution of what's valuable, (iii) Parfit's 'non-identity problem' and 'repugnant conclusion', (iv) externalities, multi-generational prisoner's dilemmas, and tragedies of the commons, etc. The second half of the course will explore a variety of practical topics raised by environmental ethics, such as (nonexhaustive list): (i) carbon offsetting, (ii) direct action, (iii) cap and trade, (iv) geopolitical processes such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, (v) population control, (vi) food issues like genetically engineered crops and vegetarianism, (vii) the discount rates to use in economic models of the costs and benefits of mitigating climate change, etc. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Morality and Value (PHIL08015)
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | It is recommended that students have taken Morality and Value (can be waived at the course organiser's discretion) |
Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: 30 |
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
Course Start Date |
13/01/2014 |
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
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Additional Notes |
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Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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No Exam Information |
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Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)
|
Learn enabled: No |
Quota: 5 |
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
Course Start Date |
13/01/2014 |
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
|
Additional Notes |
|
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
- increased understanding of some foundational issues in ethical theory
- familiarity with some of the specific ethical issues raised by humans¿ relationship to nature
- improved ability to defend a philosophically controversial position
- improved critical reading and discussion skills
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Assessment Information
30% Two In-Class Assessments (these will be closed-book short-answer quizzes lasting approximately 25 minutes each to assess the students' understanding of the key concepts necessary for addressing larger philosophical questions)
10% Class participation (to include tutorial discussions, informal group presentations and possibly an online discussion forum)
60% Take-Home Final Exam (this will provide an opportunity for students to develop a sustained 2,500 word argument for a position on one of the practical ethical issues raised in the course)
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Special Arrangements
None |
Additional Information
Academic description |
Not entered |
Syllabus |
Not entered |
Transferable skills |
Not entered |
Reading list |
Here is an indicative and incomplete list (to be modified in line with particular topics taught each year):
John Broome, Climate Matters 2012, chs. 3-6 [Economics, Justice & Fairness, Private Morality, Goodness]
Derek Parfit, Reasons and Persons 1984, chs. 16-17 [The Non-Identity Problem, The Repugnant Conclusion]
Gregory Kavka, 'The Paradox of Future Individuals' Philosophy & Public Affairs, vol. 11 (Spring 1982), pp. 93-112
Nicolas Stern, 'Executive Summary of the Stern Review' URL= http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/Executive_Summary.pdf
William Nordhaus, 'A Review of the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change', Journal of Economic Literature, vol. XLV (September 2007), pp. 686-702
Mathew Humphrey, 'Democratic Legitimacy, Public Justification and Environmental Direct Action', Political Studies, vol. 54 (2006) pp. 310-327
Peter Singer, 'One Atmosphere', from his One World: The Ethics of Globalization 2002.
Dale Jamieson, 'Ethics, Public Policy, and Global Warming' Science, Technology, Human Values vol. 17 (1992), pp. 139-153.
Stephen Gardiner, 'A Perfect Moral Storm: Climate Change, Intergenerational Ethics, and the Problem pf Moral Corruption', Environmental Values, vol. 15 (2006), pp. 397-413.
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Study Abroad |
Not entered |
Study Pattern |
Not entered |
Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Matthew Chrisman
Tel: (0131 6)50 3648
Email: matthew.chrisman@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Susan Richards
Tel: (0131 6)51 3733
Email: sue.richards@ed.ac.uk |
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© Copyright 2013 The University of Edinburgh - 10 October 2013 5:11 am
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