Contemporary Moral Issues
Contemporary Moral Issues We will examine a selection of pressing moral problems of our day, seeking to understand the substance of the issues and learning how moral arguments work. We will focus on developing our analytical skills, which we can then use to present and criticize arguments on difficult moral issues. Selected topics may include world poverty, animal rights, abortion, euthanasia, human rights, just and unjust wars, capital punishment, and racial and gender issues. You will be encouraged to question your own beliefs on these issues, and in the process to explore the limit and extent to which ethical theory can play a role in everyday ethical decision making. 2 hrs.lect./1 hr. disc.
Contemporary Moral Issues We will examine a selection of pressing moral problems of our day, seeking to understand the substance of the issues and learning how moral arguments work. We will focus on developing our analytical skills, which we can then use to present and criticize arguments on difficult moral issues. Selected topics may include world poverty, animal rights, abortion, euthanasia, human rights, just and unjust wars, capital punishment, and racial and gender issues. You will be encouraged to question your own beliefs on these issues, and in the process to explore the limit and exte …Read more
Viner is the absolute best. He is so engaging with the material, and truly wants to promote discussion. Contemporary Moral Issues is a class that navigates great topics that need to be discussed. The discussions were fun, and readings were minimal. 10/10 would recommend this class.
Viner is a super enthusiastic, super engaging professor who cares a lot about the material and is committed to your understanding of it. He understands how much work other teachers assign students, and only asks that you read a few 8-10 page readings each week. The course itself is super interesting, and I couldn't recommend it enough
Viner's lectures are sometimes a bit hard to follow. However, if you listen closely and make the readings a habit, the lectures are not too bad. He is an easy grader and class discussions and lectures are always lively and energetic. I could not recommend this class more, and anyone who can take this class absolutely should.
This course was one of my favorites at Midd. Viner is a super interesting and understanding guy, and the material is super relevant. This class makes you think about your values, the expectations of society and what communities uphold, and gives you an overview of more-modern philosophers and their schools of thought.
I loved taking professor viner's class. He is so enthusiastic about what he teaches and so down to earth. He definitely made the class so much fun and he's always eager to hear about what his students think. Definitely recommended
This class was one of my favorite at Midd and convinced me to take more philosophy classes in the future. Reading was occasionally dense, but short; it never took more than an hour. Lectures are super interesting and the essays were chill; Viner is an easy grader. I would definitely take this class again, and I think about the concepts discussed frequently.
We have 3 take home exams in this semester (3 essays for each) and one reading before each class so the workload is okay. Each student also has to lead one discussion with another student on the reading for that day. Professor Viner is very good at explaining big concepts using examples. The course is worth taking for both philosophy major students and those who are interested in philosophy.
We have 3 take home exams in this semester (3 essays for each) and one reading before each class so the workload is okay. Each student also has to lead one discussion with another student on the reading for that day. Professor Viner is very good at explaining big concepts using examples. The course is worth taking for both philosophy …Read more
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS CLASS!!!! Prof. Viner is one of the coolest and most purely genuine professors I have had here at Midd. The class is sooooo interesting and not very hard. The longest reading is like 12 pages (which is very unusual for a philosophy class), and we have 3 take-home essay exams which we have 8 days to complete. attendance is like lowkey mandatory but Prof Viner teaches in a way that makes you want to go to class; he makes it super interesting and finds fun ways to teach very dense material. overall 9.7/10 would 100000% take another class with him
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS CLASS!!!! Prof. Viner is one of the coolest and most purely genuine professors I have had here at Midd. The class is sooooo interesting and not very hard. The longest reading is like 12 pages (which is very unusual for a philosophy class), and we have 3 take-home essay exams which we ha …Read more
Professor was always respectful and engaged with the students, which made the class discussions even more interesting. The course workload was reasonable as the only homework required was reading the assigned texts. He would then lead a discussion during the class, which helped me understand the material better. The class discussions were always thought-provoking, and I enjoyed hearing different perspectives from my classmates. However, it is important to note that attendance was fairly mandatory, as missing more than five classes would result in a failing grade. This policy may seem strict, but it helped me stay on track with the course material and allowed me to engage with my peers. The exams were easy, which is always a plus. I felt prepared for them thanks to the discussions and readings we had throughout the course.
Professor was always respectful and engaged with the students, which made the class discussions even more interesting. The course workload was reasonable as the only homework required was reading the assigned texts. He would then lead a discussion during the class, which helped me understand the material better. The class discussions …Read more
This class was incredible! All of the content was very relevant and useful in thinking about life and the issues we face on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, Prof. Viner could not have been more nice, clear and inclusive.
Steve Viner's lecture style can be a bit disorganized and rambly, as if he is choosing what to talk about on the spot every class. That being said, he did a good job fostering effective discussion sections, and was excellent to discuss content with individually. Combined with his kindness and empathy in relation to deadlines and grading, it was a positive class experience.
Professor Viner is a former lawyer who is passionate about philosophy. He is always respectful around controversial subjects and tries to stay impartial for the most part on political topics. He definitely leans towards liberal views in the classroom though. The homework is always just reading which is very manageable. Usually not too much reading. The grading is somewhat tough as it is based almost entirely on 3 take home essays, which he is reluctant to give A's on but is easy with handing out B's, and leading one discussion section during the semester. Overall, good class with interesting ideas. Would definitely recommend.
Professor Viner is a former lawyer who is passionate about philosophy. He is always respectful around controversial subjects and tries to stay impartial for the most part on political topics. He definitely leans towards liberal views in the classroom though. The homework is always just reading which is very manageable. Usually not to …Read more