Dr. Julie A. Allen
Ross South 445   ext. 77541

Email: allenj@yorku.ca

This course is designed as an introduction to moral philosophy from an historical and critical point of view.  The philosophers we'll study investigate central questions concerning human conduct and character.  This course explores some of the most important and influential ethical theories developed in the tradition of  Western philosophy.  We will carefully study a selection of canonical texts, including works by Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Kant, and Mill.  We will consider issues arising from these texts which are relevant to both normative and meta-ethics.  Although the course focuses on historical works and a comparison of the moral doctrines therein expressed, we will undertake this study with an eye to their recurrent influence within contemporary moral philosophy.

Plato. Protagoras. Trans. G.M.A. Grube. Hackett, 1992.   ISBN: 0-87220-094-9

Plato. Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, (Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo.) Trans.Stanley Lombardo & Karen Bell, Hackett, 1981.  N.B.  Only the Euthyphro will be read in this course. ISBN: 0-87220-633-5

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics. Trans. David Ross.  O.U.P. 1980.  ISBN: 0–19-283408-X

Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan. Ed. John Gaskin.  Oxford University Press, 1998. (Selections)

ISBN: 0–19-2834883

Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals.  Trans. James W. Ellingson.  Hackett, 1993.

John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism. Ed. George Sher.  Hackett, 1979.

Short analysis & summary assignment                                                10%

Two  short essays  (20% each)                                                             40%

Tutorial Quizzes, Assignments  & Participation                                 20%

Final Exam                                                                                                30%

Due Dates to be announced at first class

The course will be entirely ONLINE.  Audio Lectures will be delivered asynchronously. However, Virtual Tutorials & Virtual Office hours will be synchronously.  Thus, you must be available for the day & time of your tutorial registration.

Students will learn canonical answers to the following questions:

What is "ethics"?  Is there a difference between "ethics" and "morality"?

Are moral values subjective like customs and tastes or are moral values objective?  Are some institutions and actions always, and everywhere morally wrong? (E.g. the institution of slavery/)

What do we mean by the terms `good', ‘valued’ or ‘pious’ or ‘holy’?

Is something good because it is desirable or desirable because it is good?

What relation, if any, is there between morality and various accounts of "human nature"?

Is there something which is the good for human beings? How does the good relate to happiness or eudaimonia?

Answers to the above questions will be explored by reading, reflecting upon, and carefully critiquing some canonical texts by Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Kant and Mill.

Additionally, students will be provided with the tools to develop their ability to analyse any text and provide a critical summary of central arguments.

Students will also learn how to defend a position as regards theoretical ethics.

These skills will be taught by teaching students to reason about theoretical ethics correctly and to express themselves clearly and precisely in verbal and written form.

Students will develop the skills of critical reasoning and expression through a series of written assignments,  basic exegesis, comparative assessment, and a final position paper.

Practical moral problems will be considered by way of illustration.

Additional Information:  The course website is hosted by York E-Class

N.B.   This course will use Turnitin to ensure academic honesty.  Be sure to review:York’s Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures/Academic Integrity Website