Time Schedule:
Sara L. Goering
PHIL 540
Seattle Campus
Class description
Sissela Bok once claimed that "Whatever matters to human beings, trust is the atmosphere in which it thrives." Indeed, trust plays a central (if relatively invisible) role in most moral practice, and yet it is under-studied in the theoretical literature on morality. In this course, we'll examine the moral dimensions of the concept of trust, looking at interpersonal trust, self-trust, and trust between groups. We'll also consider the nature of distrust in these three realms, and look at some of the literature on (re)building trust (e.g., through truth and reconciliation commissions or other processes designed to heal breaches of trust). Students will be expected to write a term paper on a topic of their choice (presented to the class in a 10 page draft version), comment on a peer's paper, and come to each class with critical discussion questions. TEXT: Readings will include work by Annette Baier, Sissela Bok, Trudy Govier, Karen Jones, Onora O'Neill, Russell Hardin, and possibly also Miranda Fricker (as well as others yet to be determined).
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
