科目ナンバー

GM-IF9-ZLB1

履修条件・関連科目等

㊟　Language Requirement: Basic English conversation skills are required.
●　Prerequisites: No prior coursework in ethics is required.
●　Class Format: Each class session will consist of a 100-minute lecture and discussion and will be conducted in English.

▶ Use of Electronic Devices: The use of cell-phones (including iPhones or smartphones) is NOT permitted during class sessions.
▶ Expected Attitudes: Students are expected to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, attentiveness to facts and events in everyday life, and respectful attitude toward others and their opinions during the meetings.

【※Important】If the number of students attending the first class exceeds the enrollment limit, a screening process may be conducted. This will take the form of a short take-home written assignment to determine final enrollment.

授業で使用する言語

英語

授業で使用する言語（その他の言語）

授業の概要

In everyday life, we often use words such as “right” and “wrong,” or “good” and “bad,” to evaluate people’s actions. For example, we say, “It is good to help others,” “Stealing is wrong,” or “What Mr. Tanaka said was right.” We usually use these words to show approval or disapproval of someone’s actions, ideas, or opinions, and sometimes to deal with disagreements or conflicts. But this leads to an important question: how do we decide that an action is “right” or “good”? What is the reason, or standard (criterion), for using these evaluative words? Is it simply because we like the action? Or is it because the person who performs it is good-looking? More plausibly, we use these terms because we think that the action itself has some feature that makes it right or good.

As you may notice, however, we do not all necessarily evaluate the same action in the same way. For example, Adam may regard smoking in front of others as acceptable, whereas Beate may consider it entirely unacceptable or even disturbing. Why does such disagreement arise? Why do people sometimes arrive at different evaluations of one and the same action? Are there any views or theoretical approaches that can account for these differences? In fact, many philosophers have offered a variety of interesting and influential answers to these questions.

In this course, we will discuss a range of everyday topics related to the field known as “ethics,” examine their deeper meanings and ethical significance, and learn about several ethical standards and theories that can be applied when assessing our actions. By doing so, students will be encouraged to reflect critically on their own judgments, to examine the reasons behind them, and to develop the ability to think carefully and independently about ethical issues.

科目目的

Students will examine a range of ethical issues encountered in everyday life. Through this examination, they will learn key concepts and theories that help explain how we evaluate our actions and ideas from ethical perspectives.

到達目標

This course provides a broad introduction to ethics and is open to students from all academic disciplines. The course aims to enable students to:

(1) understand some of the most fundamental topics in ethics—such as moral rightness and wrongness, utilitarianism, and enhancement—while developing ethical and critical modes of reasoning;
(2) apply these critical ways of thinking to ethical issues encountered in everyday life; and
(3) explain ethical issues clearly and accurately using simple, everyday language.

授業計画と内容

※ Note: The schedule is subject to change.

1. Course Introduction: What can we do by studying ethics? (And should we?)
2. Moral Judgment: How do we make moral judgments?
3. Morality: Why do we regard certain actions as morally right or wrong?　
4. Moral Relativism: Is everything relative?
5. Lying: Two major types of moral theory
6. Result Theory (Utilitarianism): Is an action "right," if it produces good results?
7. Rule Theory (Duty Theory): Is an action "right," if it follows a valid rule or duty?
8. Culture vs. Nature (1): What is uniquely human? What characteristics do we have?
9. Culture vs. Nature (2): Are we permitted to alter human nature? — Enhancement
10. Freedom: Are we completely free?
11. Environmental Ethics: How do our actions affect (distant) others?
12. Medical Ethics: Who should make critical decisions?
13. The Meaning of Life: Is it a philosophical question? / Concluding remarks
14. In-Class Examination

授業時間外の学修の内容

指定したテキストやレジュメを事前に読み込むこと／授業終了後の課題提出／その他

授業時間外の学修の内容（その他の内容等）

● Preparation: Students are expected to read in advance a “summary handout” and assigned reading materials posted on Manaba and to come to class prepared for discussion.

● Reaction Papers: After each class session, students are required to submit a "reaction paper" (up to 200 words) in which they reflect on the assigned topic and the class discussion. Reaction papers will be counted as part of class participation. In large classes, submission of reaction papers may be especially important, as they may provide the primary opportunity for students to express their ideas.

● Class Participation: Active class participation is an essential component of this course. Students are strongly encouraged to engage in discussion and to share their ideas, even when doing so may feel challenging. Students will not be penalized for making mistakes; rather, thoughtful engagement and a willingness to participate are highly valued.

授業時間外の学修に必要な時間数／週

・毎週１回の授業が半期（前期または後期）または通年で完結するもの。１週間あたり４時間の学修を基本とします。
・毎週２回の授業が半期（前期または後期）で完結するもの。１週間あたり８時間の学修を基本とします。

成績評価の方法・基準

成績評価の方法・基準（備考）

● Basically, I will assess your grade based on the way you participate in the class and on a final exam.
　　　Attitude/ Participation:　　　　 50% of course grade
　　　Final Examination:　　　　　　50% of course grade

● Reaction Papers: After each class session, students are required to submit a reaction paper (up to 200 words) in which they reflect on the topic specified in class and the class discussion. Reaction papers will be counted as part of class participation. In large classes, submission of reaction papers may be especially important, as noted above.

● Class Participation: In evaluating class participation, the following types of contributions will be particularly valued:
　(i) contributions that help clarify the discussion;
　(ii) relevant and original insights into the issues under discussion;
　(iii) the expression of ideas supported by reasons or evidence; and
　(iv) a respectful attitude toward others.
Private conversations and other disruptive behavior will NOT be appreciated and may negatively affect your final grade.

● Absence: Your absence is a missed opportunity for you and me. I appreciate interaction and exchange with you; I would like to know what you think and have your feedback. Regular attendance is strongly expected, as each class session provides important opportunities for interaction, discussion, and feedback, which are central to the learning objectives of this course. Students are encouraged to share their ideas and to engage actively with others in class.

Students must attend at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of class sessions in order to be eligible to take the final examination.

● Late Arrival and Early Departure: Late arrival or early departure may be counted as an absence or a partial absence, depending on the length of time missed, at the instructor’s discretion.

● Excused Absences: Absences due to officially recognized reasons—such as illness, family emergencies, or other unavoidable circumstances—may be excused only if appropriate documentation is provided in advance or as soon as possible after the absence. The treatment of excused absences will be determined by the instructor.

● Final Examination: The final examination will be conducted in class. Details regarding the format and schedule of the examination will be announced before the end of the semester.

課題や試験のフィードバック方法

授業時間内で講評・解説の時間を設ける／授業時間に限らず、manabaでフィードバックを行う

課題や試験のフィードバック方法（その他の内容等）

Often I write my comments on your Reaction Paper.

アクティブ・ラーニングの実施内容

PBL（課題解決型学習）／ディスカッション、ディベート／グループワーク

アクティブ・ラーニングの実施内容（その他の内容等）

授業におけるICTの活用方法

実施しない

授業におけるICTの活用方法（その他の内容等）

実務経験のある教員による授業

いいえ

【実務経験有の場合】実務経験の内容

【実務経験有の場合】実務経験に関連する授業内容

テキスト・参考文献等

● No specific books assigned. But it will be of great help to look into some (large size, preferably) philosophy or ethics dictionaries and English dictionaries, when necessary.

その他特記事項

● Use of Electronic Devices: The personal use of cell-phones (including iPhones or smartphones) is NOT permitted during class sessions.

● Enrollment Limitation: Again, if the number of students attending the first class exceeds the enrollment capacity, a "screening test" in the form of a written assignment will be conducted.

● Course Materials: Weekly summary handouts will be posted on Manaba.

● Attendance and Participation: Active participation and interaction are strongly encouraged in this course. Students are therefore advised to attend all class sessions and to participate fully in discussions.

● Review: Students are encouraged to review the content of each class session in order to reinforce their understanding.

● Note on the idea of "Philosophy": Philosophy is an academic discipline that includes areas such as logic, metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology. This should be distinguished from “a philosophy,” which refers to an individual’s or group’s system of beliefs, values, or attitudes. While everyone has some form of personal philosophy, such beliefs may be examined and discussed critically in a philosophy course.

参考URL