PHIL 250

Philosophy and the Environment

Please note: this is archived course information from 2020 for PHIL 250.

Description

We explore philosophical questions relating to the environment and our relationships with it, such as the following: Does the non-human natural world have intrinsic value? Is it better to live in a natural world or a virtual world? How should we compare the value of individual organisms with the value of species or ecosystems? If we could bring extinct species back to life, should we do so? How should we think about the possible extinction of our own species? Do current theories in environmental ethics help us to think about the value of possible extraterrestrial life? Do we have owe it to future generations to preserve the environment? What are our moral and epistemic responsibilities regarding climate change, and other environmental issues? What is it responsible to believe about climate change? How should we distribute the costs of dealing with climate change?

For a taste of the issues covered in the course, see:

-Brennan, Andrew and Lo, Yeuk-Sze, ‘Environmental Ethics’, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

-Brennan, Andrew and Lo, Yeuk-Sze, Understanding Environmental Philosophy, Acumen, 2010, Chapter 1.

-Jamieson, D., Reason in a Dark Time, Oxford University Press, 2014, especially chapter 1.

-Mulgan, T., Ethics for a Broken World: Imagining Philosophy After Catastrophe, Acumen, 2011, Introductory Lecture.

 

Assessment

Coursework + Exam

Availability 2020

Not offered in 2020; planned for 2021

Lecturer(s)

Lecturer(s) Professor Timothy Mulgan

Assessment

Coursework + exam

Points

PHIL 250: 15 points

Prerequisites

30 points in Philosophy or 60 points

Restrictions

PHIL 351