This course explores four
major approaches to ethics
(moral philosophy): virtue
ethics, deontology, consequentialism,
and amoralism. Students are
introduced to major classical
and contemporary works in moral
philosophy by philosophers
as diverse as Plato, Aristotle,
Kant, Mill, Nietzsche, T. Hill,
P. Singer, S. Wolf, V. Held,
D. Gautier. Some of the questions
explored in class are: What
is morality and what does it
require of us? Why be moral?
What is the relation between
morality and the good life?
What is the connection between
individual happiness and the
common good? How can ethical
theory help us to solve difficult
moral problems and live a meaningful
life? Is abortion morally permissible?
Do we have obligations to the
victims of famine in distant
countries? What is wrong with
servility? Do we have duties
to animals?
By the end
of the course, students will
develop
a critical understanding of
the major ethical theories
covered in class, their principles,
implications and limitations.
In the process, students will
learn how to evaluate complex
arguments and how to present
philosophical ideas in a clear
and coherent manner.
