SCSU Spring 2010 1/25/10 – 5/22/10 Professor Pettigrew
PHI 200 02 W Problems in Philosophy 11:10am – 12:00am EN B210 EN D212, x26778
Office Hours: M 3:30-5, T 1-3 R 1-3:30
And by appointment

PHI 200 02W Problems in Philosophy

Phase II Culminating Written Assignment

Due: April 5, 2010


In this written assignment you are to discuss Kant’s moral theory in the context of the war and genocide in Bosnia (1992-1995). Continue your reflections on the relation between dehumanization and genocide. 

In the first part of the paper address the historical dimensions [e.g. the Ottoman Empire (the 1389 battle of Kosovo Polje), the Austro Hungarian Empire, and the Ustaša in WW II, etc.] that were manipulated by Milosevic in his speech at Kosovo Polje in order to provoke ethnic fear and hatred. Then provide details on the dehumanization and human suffering in Bosnia during the genocidal war (eg., the massacre of men and boys at Srebrenica in July 1995, the mass graves, the concentration camps, the targeting and shelling of civilians, etc,.) Incorporate details in this regard from Elizabeth Neuffer’s book, The Key to My Neighbor’s House (including quotes with page numbers), details from the film “Welcome to Sarajevo,” as well as details from the Bosnia pages in our course-dedicated website. 

In the second part of the paper lay the groundwork for discussing Kant’s moral theory as the basis for a response to dehumanization and genocide. Focus on Kant’s position that the possibility of a universal morals must be grounded in something that in its very existence has absolute worth, and that the human being as rational existence provides the ground of that absolute worth. Further, discuss the practical implication in the formulation of the practical imperative that requires of absolute necessity that we always treat others as ends in themselves and never merely simply as a means to an end. In the case of each of the points you are required to incorporate a direct quote from the text. You can locate these quotes in the reading guide (sentences #10, p. 45; #11, p. 45; and #12, p. 46), but you should also study each sentence in its specific context in the text. 

In the conclusion of the paper discuss Kant’s moral theory as a basis for the identification of the dehumanization of the Bosnian Muslims as such. Further, discuss Kant’s theory as a basis from which to protect their sovereignty as autonomous rational beings who exist as ends in themselves. (For 1-5 points of extra credit, you can incorporate a discussion of the 1948 “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” in this section: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/) 

Your paper must have an introduction (including a topic sentence and sentences delineating the parts of the paper) and a conclusion. Your paper must be no less than four pages and no more than six pages, typed and double-spaced. I encourage you to ask questions about the assignment in class, meet with me in my office (by appointment) to discuss the paper, and/or to bring me a draft of your paper for review.