Class Notes on Midterm Details, Museum Logistics, and Ethical Discussions

Attendance and Midterm Announcements

• Attendance sheet is being circulated; make sure to sign it.
• Midterm worksheets have been distributed to those who submitted them.
  • If you don’t see the 5 points for it in the grade book, reach out via email ASAP to correct it.
• Important to stay in touch with the professor if there are issues.
  • Communication is key if having problems, emergencies, etc.

Museum Visit Logistics

• Planning logistics for a museum visit to the Art Institute on April 24.
• Proposed plan: Take the 11:55 AM metro from University Park Metro Station.
  • Students who drive are encouraged to help with ride-sharing; consider walking as an option.
• Reminder to put April 24 in calendars as a preliminary step towards finalizing logistics.
• Plans include establishing who requires guest tickets next week.

Ethical Discussions and Assignments

• Today's class will analyze TV and discuss related articles from the early COVID-19 pandemic.
• Overview of previous discussions, specifically focusing on Charles Mills’ criticisms of Kant’s philosophy.
  • Questions raised about whether Kant's beliefs can exist without racist undertones, discussing similar arguments by feminist philosopher Pateman.

Discussion on Kant and Mills' Arguments

• Key question: Should Kant’s moral philosophy be abandoned in light of Mills’ criticisms?
  • Students propose keeping Kant but need to discuss and address issues of race, gender, and class in his work.
• Importance of contextualizing the humanity formula within current ethical discussions.
• Different viewpoints on Kant’s applicability in ethical discussions regarding race and gender inequality.

Snack Break and Discussion

• While snacks circulate, continued discussion on Mills and Kant.
• Question raised about whether it's possible to recognize differences across cultures without establishing an us vs. them mentality.
• Suggestion of achieving cross-cultural recognition as a "regulative ideal" - an aspirational standard guiding ethical actions.

Ethical Dilemmas Illustrated by TV Show

• Analysis of the trolley problem presented in a philosophical TV show, exploring Kantian versus utilitarian ethics.
  • Utilitarian perspective: Advocates for saving the greatest number of lives by sacrificing one.
  • Kantian perspective: Opposes using individuals merely as means to an end, emphasizing the moral implications of such actions.
• Challenge of abstract philosophical reasoning versus real-life application of ethical decision-making.

Application of Ethical Principles in Crisis

• Discussions on the triage ethics of hospital decisions during COVID-19, focusing on who receives treatment when resources are limited.
• Utilitarian ethics suggested prioritizing those most likely to survive.
• Critical thoughts about valuing lives based on economic productivity, highlighting moral discomfort with such evaluations.
  • Ethical implications of keeping those with experience versus the younger with longer life expectancies in mind during treatment prioritization.

Final Thoughts and Themes

• Key takeaway: Ethical decision-making is complex, involving trade-offs that reveal the difficult nature of moral responsibilities.
• Discussion of whether Kant remains applicable in modern contexts while being sensitive to race and gender critiques.
• Importance of continuous dialogue to navigate these ethical dilemmas as they arise in our interconnected society.