PHIL031 PO - Ethical Theory: Historical Perspectives

When Offered: Each fall
Instructor(s): J. Tannebaum
Credit: 1

This course will discuss the ethical theories of philosophers that have been highly influential in Western ethical theory, such as Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Mill, or Nietzsche. Possible questions for discussion include: is acting virtuously (generously, justly, courageously, etc.) necessary for living a good life; are a person’s motives relevant to our moral assessment of that person’s action; are terms like “right” and “wrong” objective or subjective; and what is the role of reason, desire, and emotion in moral life? We will examine not only historical answers to questions such as these, but more importantly, the arguments for the answers and your critiques of these arguments. We will also discuss how various their theories differ from, or complement, one another.

Satisfies the following General Education Requirement(s), subject to conditions explained in the Degree Requirements section of this Catalog:
PO Area 3 Requirement; PO Speaking Intensive