SP19 PHIL363

Ethical Theory (PHIL363)
Instructor: Paul Burger
Wednesdays  ·  5:30–8:15  ·  LA2–203

This course will explore the problems of moral philosophy through an integrated historical and theoretical approach. There will be 12 readings, which cover a range moral problems that will be discussed over the course of the semester. These include:

Aristotle: (Selections from) Nichomachean Ethics
Epicurus: Letter to Menoeceus; Leading Doctrines
Jeremy Bentham: An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation
J. S. Mill: Utilitarianism
J. C. Smart: Extreme and Restricted Utilitarianism
Immanuel Kant: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals
Barbara Herman: On the Value of Acting from a Motive of Duty
D. Ross: (Selections from) The Right and the Good
John Rawls: (Selections from) A Theory of Justice
Gertrude Elizabeth M. Anscombe: Modern Moral Philosophy
Peter Singer: Famine, Affluence, and Morality
Elliot Sober: Philosophical Problems for Environmentalism

Students will complete short reading reflection papers prior to the discussion of each reading. The text for this class will be:

Steven M. Cahn & Peter Markie, Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Problems (6th edition). Oxford University Press (ISBN 978-0-19-020980-3)