BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, PILANI

INSTRUCTION DIVISION
SECOND SEMESTER 2018 - 2019
Course Hand-out (PART II)

Date: 07/01/2019

In addition to part I (General Hand out for all courses appended to the time table) this
portion gives further specific details regarding the course.

Course No. : GS F312

Course Title : Applied Philosophy

Instructor-in-Charge : Hareesh A. G.

1. Scope and Objective

The students will learn and reflect through the philosophical perspectives of human nature
and society in various real life issues pertaining to social justice, equality, technology and the
internet. They will be able to apply and appreciate the advantages of philosophical
perspectives in the contemporary world. In this fashion, the goal of this course is to
encourage critical thinking towards issues around us. Thus, the goal of this course is not just
to understand what different thinkers have said about various issues, but also to critically
examine their views and our own views – which we all often overtly or covertly hold – to
these issues.

2. Text book:

I. Jostein Gaarder, Sophie's World, London: Phoenix, 1996 (Paperback Edition)

3. Reference books:

I. A.C. Grayling, Philosophy: A Guide through the Subject, Oxford University

Press, 1995
II. George Reynolds, Ethics in Information Technology, New Delhi, India: Cengage

III. Richard Norman, The Moral Philosophers: An Introduction to Ethics, Oxford

University Press, 1998
IV. Peter Singer, A Companion to Ethics, Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1993
V. Charles E Harris, Michael S. Pritchard & Michael J. Rabins, Engineering Ethics,
New Delhi, India: Cengage Learning India Private Limited, 2009
VI. Duncan Langford, Internet Ethics, London: Macmillan Press Ltd., 2000
VII. A Companion to Applied Ethics, Edited by R. G. Frey, and Christopher Heath
Wellman, Blackwell Publishing. 2003.

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4. Course Plan:

Lecture Learning Objectives Topics to be covered Reference

e No. Chap./Sec.
(Book)
1-3 To get acquainted with the content of Philosophical Perspectives TB
different point of views in the discipline – The Ancient, The Modern
and The Contemporary
4-5 To get familiar with different aspects of Ethical Perspective TB
moral values, virtues, principles, and
Rules
6-7 To know the nature and correctness of Logical Perspective TB
reasoning in arguments
8-9 To understand the nature and diverse Epistemological TB
aspects of knowledge Perspective
10-11 To comprehend various approaches to Metaphysical Perspective TB
the contours of reality
12-14 To know the nature of fundamental God, Soul, Body and the TB
philosophical issues World
15-19 To comprehend the socio-ethical nature Ethics and Social TB; Class
of dilemmas in the world Dilemmas Notes
To examine the causes of poverty World Poverty RB IV, Ch.
23
To understand the arguments for and Euthanasia RB IV, Ch.
against mercy killing 25
To examine the right to abort unwanted Abortion RB IV, Ch.
pregnancies 26
20-21 To analyze philosophical implications in Case Studies
concrete situations
22-26 To assess the interlocked Social Justice and Equality TB; Class
characterization of justice and equality Notes

To understand and evaluate the social Society and Freedom of TB; Class
constraints on freedom of expression Expression Notes

To assess philosophical bases of theories Crime and Punishment RB IV, Ch.

of punishment 32
To examine the challenges of politics to Politics and the problem of RB IV, Ch.
moral values dirty hands 33
To analyze the moral justification of war War and Peace RB IV, Ch.
and peace 34
27-28 To analyze philosophical implications in Case Studies
concrete situations
29-31 To appreciate the importance of social Social and Value TB; RB V,
and value implications of technology Dimensions of Technology Ch. 5
32-33 To understand the need for Computer and Internet RB II, Ch. 3
security of information systems Crime

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34-36 To evaluate the impact of information Impact of Information RB II, Ch. 9
technology on certain parameters of Technology on the Quality
quality of life of Life
37-38 To assess the importance of Democratic Values and the TB; Class
democratic values such as Internet Notes
freedom and equality in the use of
internet
39-40 To analyze philosophical Case Studies
implications in concrete situations

5. Evaluation Scheme:

EC NO. Evaluation Weight Date, Time & Venue Nature of

Component age Component
1 Mid Semester 30 16/03/19 CLOSED BOOK
Examination 9-10.30 AM
2 Quiz/MCQ 10 CLOSED BOOK

Presentation +
3,4 Attendance 10 + 10

5 Comprehensive Exam 40 13/05/19 (FN) CLOSED BOOK

6. Chamber Consultation Hour: To be announced.

7. Notices: Notices, if any, concerning the course will be displayed on moodle/group emails.

8. Make-up Policy: Make-up component will not be allowed in case of Leading the Discussion.

9. Academic honesty is to be strictly maintained. Plagiarism is not acceptable (Please ask the
instructor in charge if you require any clarification on these).

8. Additional reading materials and changes in the readings (if any) will be announced as the course
progresses.

Instructor-in-Charge
GS F312