Greetings all,
Next Monday, 30 Nov, 1.00-2.30 in the philosophy common room, Peter
Bowden will talk to us about:
" WHY MORAL PHILOSOPHERS SHOULD NOT TEACH ETHICS"
Abstract
An alternate title to this paper is 'An Appeal to Moral Philosophers',
an appeal which asks that they incorporate into their teaching a range
of empirical findings on ethical practices. Either title raises
questions on what defines moral philosophy and whether it includes
research findings. Other questions are what are the more significant
findings? Also whether current teaching includes these findings now,
and if it doesn’t should it? The first question is answered by
documenting statements by LaFollette, Singer and other philosophers
today, and Nowell-Smith a half-century ago. Despite some inevitable
disagreements, the paper develops a conditional statement that
empirical findings are a necessary component of a course on ethics.
The more significant of these findings starts with now convincing
research that determines that most effective way to identify a wrong
is through the views of those who are aware of it, and willing to say
so. A second is Daniel Dennett’s assertion that having rules works
somewhat; but more particularly the research on how those rules might
be effectively developed and framed. A third is the exponential growth
in structures and responsibilities that are now being used to
institutionalise ethical practices The content of current teaching is
determined by examining what journals of moral philosophy contain; on
the basis that philosophers write about what they teach; and assuming
that if they do not write about empirical research, they do not teach
it.The final paragraphs explore the concept of how the research could
be incorporated with other views on teaching ethics.
See you all there....
Dr. Kristie Miller
University of Sydney Research Fellow
School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry and
The Centre for Time
The University of Sydney
Sydney Australia
Room 411, A 18
[email protected]
[email protected]
Ph: 02 93569663
http://homepage.mac.com/centre.for.time/KristieMiller/Kristie/Home_Page.html
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