What We Are Learning This Week with Dr. Antonio Franceschet

March 21, 2022 in POLI 587 International Ethics

Dr. Antonio Franceschet is exploring who bears responsibility for reducing if not eliminating global poverty

 

Can you tell us a little more about this topic?

For some, we ought to be concerned with ending poverty in our own country first. For others, there is perhaps a duty of charity to the world’s poor, but it is ultimately up to poor nations and peoples to alter their situation. Some philosophers, such as Peter Singer, argue that the more fortunate individuals on the planet have a moral obligation to forego their own affluence, and transfer their wealth to the poor. For still others, universal human rights require a more radical transformation of the political and economic institutions that create poverty. Navigating these debates and arguments about the morality of poverty will help us understand our own responsibilities as engaged citizens.

What else do you cover in your course?

As a field, International Ethics highlights the role of ethical reasoning and moral norms in international politics. We learn about foundational concepts and theories of international politics and ethics because they are key to understanding topics such as war and terrorism, foreign intervention, human rights, global inequalities, poverty and global pandemics. Most political issues have ethical ramifications, and because political actors are often motivated and judged by ethical standards of conduct, we should learn to think carefully about the subject of ethics in politics. International Ethics is an important area of inquiry because it helps us understand our individual beliefs and choices as national citizens and as global citizens.

What do you love about teaching this course?

I love that the field of International Ethics provides students an opportunity to think about politics from a different vantage point. By the end of the course, they come away with a different appreciation of conventional questions and problems. They can show a deeper understanding of the ethical dimensions and dilemmas of international politics. Students also learn to identify and use different theories and concepts, their strengths, weaknesses, and how they apply to specific cases and problems.

Finally, what other courses would you recommend for students interested this topic?

If you are interested in courses that overlap with International Ethics, consider POLI 481 The Politics of Human Rights, POLI 483 International Law, POLI 487 International Organizations, and POLI 506 Social and Global Justice.

 

Our Thanks to Dr. Antonio Franceschet for sharing your course with us!

Follow Dr. Franceschet on Twitter @franceschet_a