Philosophy 452
Ethics of Interpersonal Relationships
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 SEP Entry and Research Interests
Week 2 Ethics of Care
Day 1 Collins: The Core of Care Ethics 1-48
Day 2 Collins: 49-84
Week 3 Ethics of Care
Day 1 Collins: 85-123
Day 2 Collins: 124-end
Week 4 Associative Duties
Day 1 Seglow: chpts 1 & 2
Day 2 Seglow: chpts 3 & 4
Week 5 Associative Duties
Day 1 Seglow: chpts 5 & 6
Day 2 Seglow: chpts 7 & 8
First Exam
Week 6 Family (10/3–10/9)
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 (10/10–10/16)
Day 1 How Many Parents Should There Be in a Family?Kalle Grill - 2020 - Journal of Applied Philosophy (3):467-484.
Day 2 Sarah Ahmed Queer Phenomenology Chapter 2 particularly
79-92 but read the whole chapter
AND
The Chapter Disorienation in Queer Objects
Week 8 Friendship (10/17–10/23)
Day 1 Thomas “The Character of Friendship”
Day 2 Slote “Relationships and Emotion”
Week 9 Friendship (10/24–10/30)
Day 1 Friendship and Morality: Choose one from this chapter (Kant, Utilitarianism, Christianity)
Day 2 Friendship and Art: Lintott
Week 10 Love (10/31–11/6) As a class agree on readings from Philosophy of Love in the Past Present and Future
Day 1 Love w/Out Possession
Day 2 Romance & Politics (Toop)
Week 11 Love
Day 1 Mysticism & Romanticism
Day 2 Polyamory
Second Exam
Week 12 Love
Day 1 Robots & Online
Day 2 Love & Past + Falling In Love (Choose one and summarize it for the class: Summary should include authors main argument/idea AND one critical point)
Week 13 Student Presentations
Day 1 Katie & Noah
Day 2 THANKSGIVING BREAK
Week 14 Student Presentations
Day 1
Day 2
Week 15 Student Presentations
Day 1 Lucien
Final Exam
