Ethical Relativism

To meet these goals, students
will consider in detail various ethical theories, in both their classical and
contemporary expressions. Students are required to develop an investigative essay
on the basis of possible topics in the field of biomedical ethics found at the end of
this syllabus. Essays should 1) describe the issue, giving some history behind its
development. 2) Describe the standpoints currently dominant in the debate. 3)
Explain how the various sides in the debate respond to their opposition; and 4)
Locate the students own standpoint (own conclusion) on the issue and explain the
specific ethical principles (duty-oriented, virtue-oriented, utilitarian, etc.) involved in
helping them arrive at the conclusion they do.
Here are some of the theories that will be studied: egoism, ethical relativism,
utilitarianism, Kantianism, and virtue theory. Drawing upon those theories, the
student will prepare a written (5-6 typed MLA or CMS-style pages) paper in response
to instructor directed questions (at the end of syllabus) that address current moral
problems in the field of biomedical ethics. Of particular importance is the students
ability to use ethical reasoning to formulate reflective positions on some of the more
pressing moral problems in contemporary society.