Time Schedule:
Jeremy M. Fischer
PHIL 241
Seattle Campus
Introduction to ethics through in-depth study of one or more selected topics (e.g., limits of moral community, animal rights, moral education, and freedom). Topics vary.
Class description
Emotions and ethics go way back. In this course we will discuss the place of emotions in a good life as well as the theoretical role that emotions might play in a philosophical account of ethics. We will consider: (1) the Stoical view the emotions are always best suppressed by reason, if possible; (2) Aristotle's view that it is a good thing to experience certain emotions in certain circumstances (dictated by reason) and a bad thing not to experience such emotions; (3) the Sentimentalist view that sympathy with others, and not abstract reasoning, is the driving force behind moral behavior and moral thinking; (4) whether (and if so then how) emotions help us to understand what is good, which actions are right and wrong, which actions deserve praise and blame, and even what moral language itself means; (5) how to make sense of specific emotions, including love, grief, shame, guilt, gratitude, anger, contempt, and trust; and (6) what it means to say that an emotion is 'appropriate' or 'justified.' We begin by reading Plato's bawdy dialogue, The Symposium, which presents several famous and influential views on love and its importance.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Fair warning: this course requires a considerable amount of reading, and class will be discussion-heavy. In other words, this is a course for those who wish to think carefully about emotions and ethics by reading and discussing a lot of great philosophy.
Recommended preparation
Although there are no official prerequisites, students who have taken other philosophy classes will possess a strong advantage over those who have not taken a philosophy class before.
Class assignments and grading
