Philosophy 217
Relationship Ethics
In this course, we study the ethics of interpersonal relationships broadly construed.
Philosophers have always been interested in the value of personal relationships. The goods they generate—or, perhaps, of which they consist—are obviously important, both instrumentally and non-instrumentally, for how well individuals’ lives go. On various accounts of what makes a life good, they are highly desired by most people, can bring a lot of pleasure and joy and, at least some of them—such as friendship or love—have objective value. More recently, these goods have also been said to be relevant to determining individuals’ duties and even rights. In particular, there are several reasons to be concerned with their distribution: Personal relationship goods represent a significant and non-substitutable component of individuals’ well-being, are a significant kind of personal resource as well as a major determinant of individuals’ opportunities.
In the first week of the course students will identify one philosophical question about interpersonal relationships that they want to explore over the course of the semester. This will serve as a touchstone for students to help guide their reading and research. The question and topic will evolve over the course of the term, but it will help the student focus their reading, writing and research.
We will then study two Philosophical approaches to understanding the ethics of interpersonal relationships: The Ethics of Care Approach and The Associative Duties Approach. Both approaches may be flawed and probably are. But they are the theoretical backdrop necessary for understanding research on the Ethics of Interpersonal Relationships.
We then turn to the philosophical research on three broad areas of human life: Family, Friendship and Love. What are these relationships? What are the ethical contours, if any, of these relationships?
As students study these topics they will develop a research focus and give a presentation in the final part of the class.
Grading
In this course, your grade will be determined by two tests, a final exam, shortys, a final presentation and participation.
Your final grade is determined as follows:
Two tests (2 × 15%)
Final Exam (10%)
Shortys (25%)
Final Presentation (25%)
Participation (10%)
Course Schedule:
Here is our schedule which is of course revisable (and we will revise it as we move through the course).
Week 1 Introduction Interpersonal Relationships
Day 1 Podcast, sample readings (E.g. Sidgwick's MofE search "family" and see results 11-14 (pgs 211-220), examples of relationships, what relationships are:
a. most important to a person's well-being and b. most interesting to you?, pre-theoretic intuitions (define the chosen relationship and explain the goods of the relationship)
Day 2 Moral Theory Primer, SEP Entry and Relationship Interests
Week 2 Ethics of Care
Day 1 Moral Theory Primer, SEP Entry and Relationship Interests
Day 2 Begin Care Ethics: Held Chapter 1 and SEP Entry on Feminist Ethics section 2.2 on Care Ethics
Week 3 Ethics of Care
Day 1 Held Chapt 1 Continued
Day 2 Nadasen "Rethinking Care Work"
Week 4 Associative Duties
Day 1 Seglow: chpts 1 & 2
Day 2 Kolodny on Partiality,
Read Section 1 of the article
Week 5 Associative Duties
Day 1
Kolodny on Partiality,
Read Section 1 of the article. Your goal is to understand the problem and then start thinking FOR YOURSELF about solutions
Day 2 LaFolette "Morality and Personal Relationships"
First Exam
Week 6 Family
Day 1 A Project View of the Right to Parent. Benjamin Lange - 2023 - Journal of Applied Philosophy 1:1-23.
Day 2 Naturalizing parenthood: Lessons from (some forms of) non‐traditional family‐making.Daniel Groll - 2021 - Journal of Social Philosophy 53 (3):356-370.
Week 7 Family
Day 1 How Many Parents Should There Be in a Family? Kalle Grill - 2020 - Journal of Applied Philosophy (3):467-484.
Ali & Anli
Day 2
Isaac & Maple
Week 8 Friendship
Day 1 Thomas “The Character of Friendship”
Autumn & Spencer
Day 2 Slote “Relationships and Emotion”
Blessing & Izzy
Week 9 Friendship (
Day 1 Friendship and Morality: Choose one from this chapter (Kant, Utilitarianism, Christianity)
Adela & Charlotte
Day 2 Friendship and Art: Lintott
Joe & Ciena
Week 10 Spring Break
Week 11 Love As a class agree on readings from Philosophy of Love in the Past Present and Future
Day 1
Isa & Fardosa
Day 2
Week 12 Love
Day 1
Day 2
Second Exam
Week 13 Love
Day 1
Day 2
(Choose one paper and summarize it for the class: Summary should include authors main argument/idea AND one critical point)
Week 14 Student Presentations
Day 1
Day 2
Week 15 Student Presentations
Day 1
Day 2
