Time Schedule:
Nancy A.S. Jecker
PHIL 413
Seattle Campus
Studies the major metaethical theories, including both cognitivist and noncognitivist approaches. Emphasizes moral philosophy during the twentieth century, as well as contemporary commentary. Recommended: one introductory philosophy course. Offered: jointly with B H 404.
Class description
Joint with BH 404. This course aims to familiarize students with some of the central concerns of moral philosophers of the twentieth century. These concerns focus on the nature and justification of moral judgments and the meaning of central terms in ethics. Among the questions we shall explore are the following: If we call a state of affairs good or bad or an action right or wrong, are we expressing our personal feelings or tastes or are we asserting something about the way the world is independent of our feelings and tastes? Can basic moral and value judgments be justified in any objective way similar to the way in which factual judgments can be justified? What makes actions right? What does "good" mean? Are there "moral facts" to which our moral judgments refer? What is the relationship between reason and morality? The first and second parts of the course examine cognitivist and non-cognitivist theories of ethics. We study important figures in moral philosophy during the first half of this century, including Moore, Ross, Ayer, and Stevenson. The final section of the course investigates the contemporary revival of ethical cognitivism. We discuss the ethical rationalism of philosophers such as Gewirth and Gert. We conclude by taking a careful look at feminist and multicultural challenges to rationalist theories. TEXTS: TBA
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
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Class assignments and grading
