We continue our exploration of thorny ethical issues of modern life, such as capital punishment, gun control and media ethics. Our sessions include presentation of both moral and legal aspects of each issue, as well as time for discussion.
We review some of the moral theories in circulation today, including relativism, divine command theory, egoism, utilitarianism, deontology and virtue theory, and how these can be applied to some of the major moral issues of today.
We are pleased that Dr. Smith, who was highly recommended by UW’s Osher, is returning via Zoom from Seattle.
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*This stand-alone course does not require attendance at Dr. Smith’s earlier ethics course.
Instructor: David Smith
Dr. David E. Smith grew up in the world of fundamentalist Christianity. As an adult, he gradually moved away from that perspective and became a religious progressive/skeptic. After earning an M.A. in the philosophy of religion and serving as an urban law enforcement officer, he received a second M.A. and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. David, who currently teaches for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington, offers courses in religion and philosophy at many different venues through his Beliefs and Ethics seminars. He has published in these areas as well. His mission is to empower people to think for themselves about things that matter.
