PHIL5534 · Philosophy
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
This course has theoretical and practical sides. Theoretically, it is an inquiry into value theory in general, and the value of (nonhuman) nature in particular. We will examine positions on the moral standing of nonhumans, such as anthropocentrism, animal rights and welfare, biocentrism, and ecocentrism. Practically, we will explore the social, political, economic, and ethical dimensions of environmental issues such as food, consumerism, climate change, energy, and sustainability. Our animating questions are: What are our duties to the natural world? How would our civilization have to change to meet these duties?
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
4.5 / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
4.5 / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
4.6 / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
4.6 / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
~3
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect only recovered evaluations connected to this course.
Across time
Section-level results available in the recovered archive.
Fall 2024
1 sectionSpring 2022
1 section