Centre for Ethics At-A-Glance 2016-21*

Activities

A list of 400+ events between 2016-21 is available on the C4E website; event videos are available on its YouTube channel and online journal; podcasts are available here.

  • The Ethics of Digital Platforms (2018)&
  • Ethics of Translation (2019)&
  • Ethics, (Im)migration and Cinema (2020)&
  • Race, Ethics + Power Discussion Group (2020-2021)&
  • Stuart Hall, Race, and Neoliberalism (2020-2021)&

  • A list of C4E visitors and fellows 2016-21 is available on the C4E website.
  • Faculty
    • from Australia, Canada, Finland, Holland, Japan, Lithuania, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, UK, US; in Anthropology, Comparative Literature, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, English, History of Science, Information Studies, Law, Medicine, Philosophy, Political Science, Women’s Studies
  • Post-docs & Research Associates      
    • from Belgium, Canada, France, UK, US; in German, Law, Philosophy, Political Science, Social Justice Education (OISE), Sociology, Women’s Studies
  • Graduate students
    • from Canada, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland; in Anthropology, Cinema Studies, Comparative Literature, Computer Science, Criminology & Sociolegal Studies, Human Geography, iSchool, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Philosophy, Political Science, Public Health, Religion, Social Justice Education (OISE)
  • Undergraduate students
    • in Bioethics, Canadia Studies, Classics, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Critical Studies in Equity & Solidarity, English, Environmental Studies, Ethics, Society and Law, Health Studies, History, Human Geography, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Political Science, Russian Literature

Teaching

ETH1000H1-Y: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Context (Dubber; 18-19, 19-20, 20-21) (new)
This year-long, half-credit graduate course exposes students to advanced methods employed in the analysis of ethical issues related to the production, dissemination, and application of AI in a variety of contexts. A diverse team of speakers from a range of academic disciplines including, for instance, computer science; criminology; engineering; law; literary studies; media studies; philosophy; or political science, will model various methodological approaches and modes of analysis. Students will write three short responses each semester to specific presentations, and participate in group discussions of the scheduled guest lectures.

ETH201H1 – Contemporary Moral Problems (PDF; 16-17, 17-18, 20-21)
ETH201H1 is an introductory course in ethics. How should we live? Which course of action is the right one? When and why should we blame ourselves and/or others? We all have and exercise moral opinions; this course is about justifying them. The course begins with some critical reasoning skills, and then explores philosophical strategies for justifying moral beliefs. We will then examine some specific issues of moral and political significance before concluding with psychological mechanisms behind moral attitudes and behaviour.

ETH230H1 – Morality in Cross-Cultural Perspective (PDF; 17-18, 18-19)
Is morality universal, or does it vary by time and place? This course will examine cultural differences in moral codes from both empirical and philosophical perspectives.

ETH401H1-Y – Seminar in Ethics (Dubber; 16-17, 17-18, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21)
The seminar will expose advanced undergraduates to cutting edge research in ethics. It meets bi-weekly over the entire academic year. Participants will attend research presentations at the Centre for Ethics (topics have included bioethics, indigenous rights, equality and education, free speech, and workplace democracy). They will also meet individually with the instructor (the Centre’s Director) to plan an independent research project related to the theme of the course. In the winter term, students will present their research and discuss it with the other students in the seminar.

ETH350H1-Y – Topics in Value Theory (Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Context) (Dubber 18-19, 19-20, 20-21) (new)

ETH350H1 – Topics in Value Theory (Bias in Medicine: From Evidence Based Medicine to Artificial Intelligence)(PDF; 20-21) (new, OTO)

ETH350H1 – Topics in Value Theory (The Future of Work in the Age of AI (PDF; 19-20) (new, OTO)

ETH350H1 – Topics in Value Theory (Philosophy of Race & Racism) (PDF; 19-20) (new, OTO)

ETH350H1 – Topics in Value Theory (Moral and Aesthetic Value) (PDF; 18-19) (new, OTO)

ETH350H1 – Topics in Value Theory (Human Dignity) (PDF; 16-17) (new, OTO)

ETH210H1 – Rationality and Action (PDF; not taught in 16-21)
An introductory survey of attempts that have been made to develop a formal model of practical rationality, with particular emphasis on the way moral considerations enter into those deliberations. Topics may include: utility-maximization theory, introductory game theory, consequentialism, and deontic reasoning, as well as the limitations of rationality.

ETH220H1 – Moral Psychology (PDF; not taught in 16-21)
A study of issues that arise at the intersection of psychology and moral philosophy. Why do people act morally? What role do reason and emotion play? Can we know what is right, yet not be motivated to do it? What role can science play in advancing our understanding of morality?


* This overview was prepared for the Centre’s self-study covering the period of July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2021; it tracks the structure of the self-study template.

# Activities marked with # are new in 2016-21.

& Activities marked with & were created and hosted by C4E graduate, doctoral, or post-doctoral fellows.