FA17 PHIL610

Proseminar (PHIL610): Reasons for Action
Dr. Jason Raibley
Mondays  ·  7:00–9:45pm  ·  LA1–304

Reasons for Action: Moral, Prudential, and Otherwise. A classic question in moral theory is, “Why be moral?,” or “Why ought one to do what one morally ought to do?”

It is controversial even how to interpret this question. But some of the Ancients seem to hold that one ought to be just (i.e., moral), because being just is constitutive of eudaimonia or true happiness. Hobbes, by contrast, holds that it is prudentially rational to be moral. Hume explains all reasons for action in terms of the agent’s desires, though we must imagine that these desires are informed and refined in special ways. Kant holds that it is all-things-considered rational to be moral; on one version of his view, moral reasons may be reduced to epistemic reasons, especially reasons to avoid believing contradictions. Sidgwick holds that moral and prudential norms are both basic sources of reasons and are on equal footing; this gives rise to irresolvable conflicts between the two. Prichard rejects the question as based on a mistake.

This seminar will explore the nature of epistemic, prudential, moral, all-things- considered, etiquettical, political, and legal norms. It will also explore the relationship between these systems of reasons or norms. We will read selections from the classic writers above, as well as works by contemporary philosophers who adapt and refine these views. Contemporary authors will include Philippa Foot, David Gauthier, Kurt Baier, Gilbert Harman, Thomas Nagel, Bernard Williams, Stephen Darwall, Julia Annas, Christine Korsgaard, T. M. Scanlon, Richard Kraut, David Copp, Mark Schroeder, and Dale Dorsey.

By the end of this course, students who do the required work will learn to state and explain the answers proposed by these writers to important philosophical questions; to state and explain the objections facing each of these answers; and to express thoughtful, well-reasoned opinions about such matters. Special emphasis will be placed on how to extract arguments from philosophical texts and how methodically to evaluate such arguments for cogency, formal validity, and soundness. Students will learn the basics of philosophical research (including proper acquisition, use, and citation of sources), philosophical essay composition, the oral presentation of research, and related skills.

Course requirements: two take-home essay exams, one oral presentation, one final research paper.