Centre for Applied Ethics

MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN APPLIED ETHICS

The Department of Philosophy, through the Centre for Applied Ethics, offers a M.Phil-degree in Applied Ethics. The entry requirement is any Bachelor degree; previous training in Philosophy or Ethics is not a requirement. The course has attracted great interest among health care workers (particularly doctors and nurses), businessmen and state officials who are involved with policy formulation in medical, business and environmental issues. It is a two-year course presented in modules so students don't have to be on campus in Stellenbosch permanently to attend. They only have to visit campus for two weeks of intensive lectures and guidance at the beginning of every semester. The degree programme provides excellent tools vir anybody interested in the ethical dimension of their business activities and prepares successful candidates to make informed and considered contributions to policy formulation on ethical issues.

Curriculum

1. FOCUS

Applied ethics, the broad focus of the programme, represents a relatively new development in the philosophical discipline of ethics. The narrower focus of the Centre's individual units is presented in the second year of the programme through the presentation of the speciality areas of biomedical, business and environmental ethics. Additional speciality areas could be added in the future, depending on the available capacity for this.

The first year of the course is devoted to an orientation in the nature, history, problems, approaches, methods, tendencies and idea-historical developments in philosophy and applied ethics as well as a thorough orientation in research methods. The focus is thus on applied ethical issues (in particular bio-medical, business and environmental issues) with a thorough knowledge and discussion of international literature, but also with special reference to those problems, viewpoints, approaches and theories which are relevant to applied ethical problems in the South African context.

2.2 DETAILS

Modules 1-4 of the programme, that are presented in the first year, are a core component that must be completed by all participants. In year two, the content of Modules 5-8 differs for the three speciality directions: bio-medical, business and environmental ethics. A research project, which must be completed in the second year, is planned towards the end of the first year, in consultation with supervisors.

The contents are as follows:

Module 1: Introduction to Philosophy: problems, traditions and methods.

In this module attention is given to:

the nature of philosophical questions;
central moments and questions in the history of philosophy and ethics;
the methods for the answering of philosophical questions;
the meaning and relevance of philosophy for the academic, everyday and business worlds, with special reference to the South African context
logic and critical thinking skills
practical exercises in conceptual analysis, the identification of fallacies and the analysis and evaluation of arguments

Module 2: Introduction to Ethics and Applied Ethics

In this module attention is given to:

the phenomena of morality;
different approaches to moral decision-making (for example deontological and utilitarian approaches, as well as virtue-ethics);
the nature, context, extent and goals of applied ethics as applied science;
values, value conflicts, and possible resolution of value conflicts

(All of these themes are discussed with specific reference to the South African context)

Module 3: Moral deliberation in context

In this module attention is given to:

the idea historical and cultural context of moral arguments;
the problem of value-diversity, pluralism and moral relativism;
modern and postmodern ethics;
ideology and power
(applied) ethical deliberation in the context of race-, sex- and class issues

(All of these themes are discussed from within the South African context)

Module 4 : Research methods in applied ethics

In this module attention is given to

the methods and strategies for the application of ethical theories and insights in practise;
the nature, function and relevance of ethical behavioural codes in business life;
the theory and practice of case studies in applied ethics;
practical assignments and exercises, focusing on case studies in South Africa

SECOND YEAR

(In the second year of study, the students choose one of the options A,B or C)

A. SPECIALISATION IN BIO-MEDICAL ETHICS

Module 5: Principles of bio-medical ethics

The following is tackled in this module using an internationally recognised standard text:

(i) The nature, history, extent and central questions of bio-medical ethics
(ii) The approach and methods of bio-medical ethics including deliberation-ethics
(iii) The principle of respect for autonomy
(iv) The principle of Non-malifecence
(v) The principle of Beneficence
(vi) The principle of Justice
(vii) Relationships between medical workers and patients
(viii) Case studies with special emphasis on the South African context

Module 6: Biomedical decision-making about life and death

Here attention is given to

(i) (human) life as fact and value
(ii) death and death norms
(iii) decision-making about life, for example.:

embryo-experimentation
in vitro-fertilisation
(commercial) surrogate motherhood
donating of organs and - transplants

(iv) decision-making about, for example.:

abortion
euthanasia
Living wills and DNR ('Do Not Resuscitate') orders
Physician assisted suicide (PAS)

(v) Case studies with special emphasis on the South African context

Modules 7 and 8 focus on four central issues, using the method of bio-medical deliberation:

Module 7: Autonomy and substitution decision-making ("deciding for oneself and for others")

(i) Autonomous decision-making, which includes:

Patients' rights to know the truth about their illness
Informed consent
Medical experimentation

(ii) Substitution decision-making, which includes:

Decision-making for/on behalf of children
Decision-making for/on behalf of incompetent patients (eg patients in PVS ["permanent vegetative state"])
Decision-making in discussion with conscious terminal patients and for/on behalf of unconscious terminal patients

(iii) Case studies with special emphasis on the South African context

Module 8: Biomedical decision-making for society now and in the future

(i) In society, the following:

Justice, equality and freedom in the provision of health services
The rationing of health services
Systems for the provision of health services
AIDS and society

(ii) In the future, the following:

Genetic manipulation, gene therapy and genetic analysis ("screening") and advising
The ethics of (human) cloning
Biomedical research
Animal issues
Biomedical ethics and future generations

(iii) Case studies with special emphasis on the South African context

Research component: Bio-medical ethics

An extensive assignment on a biomedical-ethical problem that is relevant to the South African context, or two shorter, publishable articles about similar issues. The topics are chosen in consultation with the head of the bio-ethical specialisation programme and research is completed in consultation with the appointed study leader. The assignment counts 40% of the course mark, and the two articles (as an alternative to the single assignment) each 20%.

B. SPECIALISATION IN BUSINESS ETHICS

Module 5: Ethics, business and society

1.From ethics to business ethics
2.Sources of moral disputes in the business world, under which the following fall:

Capitalism as lifestyle and value system
Corporation and competition
Client interests
Government interests
Environmental interests

3.Distributive justice and business interests
4.Work and human well-being and human welfare
5.Research methods in business ethics
6.Case studies with special emphasis on the South African context

Module 6: Corporation, responsibility and human value

1.Values and norms in the corporate life
2.Corporate social responsibility
3.Corporate accountability
4.Corporate punishment
5.Honesty and/in the business world
6.Case studies with special emphasis on the South African context

Module 7: Controversial issues in business ethics I

1.Insider trading
2.Workers' rights and democracy in the work place
3.Workers' privacy (for example. In relation to tests for narcotics and AIDS)
4.Whistleblowing
5.Advertising
6.Case studies with special emphasis on the South African context

Module 8: Controversial issues in business ethics II

1.Affirmative action and discrimination
2.Sexual harrassment and settlements
3.Mergers and Acquisitions
4.Ethical issues with regards to business enterprises in a global economy
5.The business world and the environment
6.Case studies with special emphasis on the South African context

Research component: Business ethics

A comprehensive assignment on a business ethical problem that is relevant to the South African context, or two shorter, publishable articles about similar issues. The subjects are chosen in consultation with the leader of the business ethics specialisation programme and the research is completed with the designated study leader. The assignment counts 40% of the course marks, and the two articles (as an alternative to the single assignment) each 20%.

C. SPECIALISATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

Module 5: Introduction to environmental philosophy and environmental ethics

1. From ethics to environmental ethics

The necessity and interest in environmental ethics today
Differences between mainstream and environmental ethics

2. Theories about the sources and effects of environmental problems

Overpopulation and collective impact
The tragedy of the commons - Hardin
Lifestyle and consumer mentality
Industrialisation and the industrial mentality
Enlightenment values
Christian values
Dualistic and hierarchic thinking
Environmental racism

3. Conceptualisation of environmental problems

The environment as an issue of distributive justice
The environment as an issue of survival
The environment as an issue of institutional, value and behavioural transformation

4. Instrumental value theories in environmental ethics

Strong anthropocentrism (unlimited resource development and expansionism)
Moderate anthropocentrism (resource conservation)
Weak anthropocentrism (wilderness conservation)
Stewardship

4.1. Intrinsic value theories in environmental ethics

Animal Liberation (Peter Singer)
Animal Rights (Tom Regan)
Biocentric (Paul W. Taylor)
Ecocentric (Aldo Leopold en Holmes Rolston III)
The Gaia hypothesis

4.2. Radical environmental ethics

Deep-ecology (Arne Naess)
Transpersonal ecology (Warwick Fox)
Ecofeminism (different forms)
Social ecology (Murray Bookchin)
Bioregionalism

4.3. Integration and convergence of positions

The convergence hypothesis of Bryan Norton
Environmental pragmatism

Module 6: Standard forms of environmental decision-making in the business and government sector: a critical evaluation

1.Environmental economy: assumptions, applications, implications and alternatives

Environmental economy in a standard form
Cost-benefit analysis: an ethical critique
The problems of environmental economy: an ethical critique
Ecological economy: from orthodox economics to ecological sustainability

2.Environmental decision-making and institutional models

Environmental decision-making and liberal democracy
Environmental decision-making and associative democracy

3.Environmental impact studies and management in South Africa today

Environmental impact studies and standard management practices in ethical perspective
Latest developments in impact studies
Ethical evaluation of new generation impact assessment methodologies

Module 7: Ethical issues in the making of environmental policy in South Africa as a developing country

1.Paradigm shifts in the policy framework for environmental policy

The rationalistic paradigm of education
The romantic paradigm of unity with nature
The social paradigm of community-based co-operation
The ecological paradigm of sustainability

2.Sustainability as a normative concept for environmental policy

Historic evaluation of the emergence and growth of the concept
Sustainability since the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992
Sustainability and the international debate about climate change
Sustainability and international economic tendencies
Sustainability in the "third world"
Sustainability in the South African context
Sustainability in South African legislation

3.The principles and practice of dispute resolution vis-à-vis environmental issues

Ethical evaluation of the standard practice of environmental dispute resolution
Ethical principles of environmental dispute resolution

Module 8: Case studies and issues

1. The role of science in environmental policy and decision-making
2. Environmental risks: the concept and ethical challenges
3. The "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) syndrome
4. Bio-medical research and animals
5. The feeding of people and/vs the conservation of nature
6. Oil drilling in Nigeria: environmental ethical dilemmas
7. Dune mining at St. Lucia: the discarding of values
8. The issue of Saldanah Steel: processes of decision-making

Research Component: Environmental Ethics

An extensive assignment on a environmental ethical problem that is relevant to the South African context, or two shorter, publishable articles about similar issues. The topics are chosen in consultation with the head of the specialisation programme in Environmental Ethics and research is completed in consultation with the appointed study leader. The assignment counts 40% of the course marks, and the two articles (as an alternative to the single assignment) each 20%.