Singapore University of Social Sciences

Why Do Good?

Why Do Good? (SCO101)

Synopsis

Do we have obligations to help others? Should we do good because we can? This course questions the basis of how we think about right and wrong, our reasons for doing or not doing good, and distinguishes between rights, responsibilities, obligations and types of duties. It will extend these views from the perspective of an ethical theory (e.g., deontological theory; utilitarianism) to a single issue (e.g., gender, racial, and class stereotypes and discrimination; local vs foreign workers). This application of ethical theories to real-world issues will allow students to engage with concerns that have important implications for individuals and societies in the present and the future like fault lines in society, common space, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This course is also a primer for most elective courses in the SUSS Core, which inspect our interaction between individuals and between societies.

Level: 1
Credit Units: 2.5
Presentation Pattern: Every semester

Topics

  • Common Concepts in Moral Discourse
  • Moral Dilemmas
  • Banal Evil
  • Deontology
  • Utilitarianism and Effective Altruism
  • Case Studies

Learning Outcome

  • Identify ethical considerations.
  • Explain concepts relevant to how we should think about moral issues.
  • Apply ethical theories to discuss real-world issues.
  • Demonstrate ethical reasoning in personal responses.
  • Discuss constraints of each ethical position.
  • Present ethical case studies.
Back to top
Back to top