Faculty

PHIL-2306 Ethics

Aran Gharibpour

Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

PHIL-2306-700 (34173)
LEC MW 10:30am - 11:50am EVC EVC3 3207

Topical Focus

Societies’ conflicting perceptions of health have been used as an excuse for disempowerment, silencing, and homogenization of individuals: women sent to mental institutions for what we now consider normal hormonal fluctuations; various sexual expressions shunned with the charge of being “sick” and “perverted”; and risk-taking, eccentric lives suppressed with similar labels to pave way for manufacturing fundamentally submissive and obedient citizens. And yet, erasing the distinction between healthy and unhealthy in the name of inclusion of diverse ways of life may also lead to catastrophic consequences. In this course, we get to the depths of this strange concept: What is health and who has the authority to answer that question?

Even with a satisfying conception of health, though, it is unclear that living a “healthy” life is equal to living a “good” life. Shouldn’t we consider sickness, pain, weird obsessions, self-imposed suffering, and deviations from the norms necessary for enjoyment, fulfillment, progress, and self-actualization of human beings? What if living an ethically excellent life requires the sacrifice of our health, or even our lives? To figure all this mess out, we will read strange historical accounts and thought-provoking philosophical texts, chat with psychiatrists and death doulas, and partake in lively discussions and creative writing projects. This course is part of ACC’s Liberal Arts Gateway and the Great Questions Journey.

Course Requirements

Grades

Reflection = 5 points

Bibliography I = 5 points

Research Paper = 20 points

Bibliography II = 5 points

Presentation I = 5 points

Presentation II = 5 points

Feedback = 5 points

Term Paper = 35 points

Attendance = 5 points

Participation = 10 points

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Total 100 points

All written assignments must be submitted on Blackboard by 11:59pm on the due date.

Late submissions lose a third of a grade by day, e.g., B+ becomes B. I reserve the right to not grade your assignment if it is submitted three days after the deadline. For the assignments due at the end of the semester, I reserve the right to not grade any late assignments. That being said, always communicate with me if you think you might miss a deadline. I try my best to help you out.

Due Dates

Reflection February 1st

Bibliography I February 15th

Research Paper March 8th

Presentation I March 13th

Bibliography II April 5th

Presentation II April 27th, April 29th

Feedback May 1st

Term Paper May 12th

Grade Scale

For the Assignments

Out of 10	Out of 20	Out of 35	Out of 5	Letter Grade
10.0	20.0	35.0	5.0	A
9.0	18.0	31.5	4.5	A-
8.75	17.5	30.6	4.375	B+
8.5	17.0	29.8	4.25	B
8.0	16.0	28.0	4.0	B-
7.75	15.5	27.1	3.875	C+
7.5	15.0	26.3	3.75	C
7.0	14.0	24.5	3.5	C-
6.75	13.5	23.6	3.375	D+
6.5	13.0	22.8	3.25	D
6.0	12.0	21.0	3.0	D-

Total

Letter Grade	Percentage Range
A	90–100
B	80–89.9
C	70–79.9
D	60–69.9
F	0–59.9

Readings

Material

This is a ZTC course. All the required materials are posted on Blackboard.

Course Subjects

Week	Topic
Week I	Introduction: Health, Sickness and Mysteries of Living a Good Life
Week II	The Bio-Statistical Model of Health
	Reflection
Week III	Health and the Problem of Function
Week IV	Utilitarianism: Happiness as Ultimate Function (I)
	Bibliography I
Week V	Utilitarianism: Happiness as Ultimate Function (II)
Week VI	BDD, Gender Dysphoria, and the Problem of Choice
Week VII	Kant: Autonomy beyond Choice, Integrity beyond Happiness (I)
	Research Paper Presentation I
Week VIII	Kant: Autonomy beyond Choice, Integrity beyond Happiness (II)
Week IX	Character above All!
	Bibliography II
Week X	Logic of Care (I)
Week XI	Logic of Care (II)
Week XII	The Inevitable: Death, Grief, and Meaning
Week XIII	The (Non-)Medical Model of Sickness and Health
Week XIV	Presentations Week! Feedback
Week XV	(You choose the topic!)
Week XVI	A Grand Summary
	Term Paper

Note: this schedule is subject to change

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts.
Define and appropriately use important terms such as relativism, virtue, duty, rights, utilitarianism, natural law, egoism, altruism, autonomy, and care ethics.
Demonstrate knowledge of major arguments and problems in ethics.
Present and discuss well-reasoned ethical positions in writing.
Apply ethical concepts and principles to address moral concerns.
Apply course material to various aspects of life.

General Education Competencies

Communication Skills: Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
Critical Thinking Skills: Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.
Personal Responsibility: Identify and apply ethical principles and practices to decision-making by connecting choices, actions and consequences

Social Responsibility (Civic and Cultural Awareness): Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.