Course Description

The anti-slavery movement, the eradication of smallpox, and the Green Revolution are all examples of efforts that vastly improved the world we live in. However, many attempts to improve the world have failed, and some have even caused harm. One famous example is Scared Straight – a program that aims to reduce criminal behavior in teenagers, but was found to increase incarceration rates.

This course will present practical tools to examine ethical issues in everyday decision-making, while using disciplines from ethics, economics, behavioral science, exact sciences and more. For example, to what extent should global catastrophes worry us, and what can and should be done about them? Should empirical evidence influence our ethical decisions, and how? What could be done about global poverty and health? Do we have a moral obligation towards others, and if so, to whom, and does it include animals? How can moral commitment be incorporated into career decisions? And more.

The course will provide useful tools in research, logic and decision-making, with an emphasis on careful analysis, active participation and examination of real cases many of us encounter regularly.

Additional Details

The course is held at Tel Aviv University
Course Hours: Mondays 16:00-18:00
Course Location: Gilman Building Room 326
Course Requirements: Class attendance and final project
Office hours: By appointment

“By far the most interesting course I took. It gave me tools for informed decision making in my career and in investing my resources (hopefully) more effectively“

Anonymous

“Even after the course ended, I see how it affects my decision making and professional development, as well as leading me to new career opportunities and meaningful volunteer work“

Yael

Dan Lahav

Dan is an AI & bioinformatics researcher. He published in the most prestigious journals in the world, was ranked as the best speaker in the world universities debate championship, led educational and critical thinking projects in more than 50 countries, and consulted organizations and governments on a variety of subjects.

mail: danlahav (at) gmail (dot) com

Sella Nevo

Sella leads several research teams at Google using artificial intelligence for humanitarian causes, international development and climate mitigation. He is a partner in a climate-focused venture capital fund , and he founded an organisation that provides impact-driven career advice.

mail: sellanevo (at) gmail (dot) com