Ali Karbalaei Mahdi

Email: akmahdi@yorku.ca

Ross S439, Department of Philosophy

Virtual Office Hours: Thursdays 12:00-1:00pm (or by appointment)

In-person Office Hours: by appointment.

This course investigates constructivism, one of the most significant family of views, in normative ethics and metaethics, that attempt to explain the nature of normative truth. In this seminar, we will mostly focus on Kantian constructivism that accounts for how there are correct, objective answers to moral questions, in virtue of what these answers are correct, and whether there are objective grounds for moral obligation, among other questions. We will start with John Rawls whose work is the origin of contemporary constructive views. We will then read Christine Korsgaard’s major work, The Sources of Normativity. While the focus of the course is on these Kantian views, we will briefly study Humean constructivism too. At the end of the course, we will return to Rawls and what he later calls Political Constructivism.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

Students are required to have access to eClass website. Some of the readings will be posted to eClass, and the assignments are to be uploaded there. Please note that this course will be in person, hence there is no recorded videos or online sessions.

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

Times and locations:

Time: Tuesdays 11:30-14:30

Location: HNE 230

Korsgaard, Christine. The Sources of Normativity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1996.

This book can be purchased at York’s Bookstore.

All other readings will be posted to the course’s eClass.

1. a) Participation and Attendance (20%)

1. b) Five Weekly Reflections (each 4%, in total 20%) OR one Presentation (20%)

For 20% of your overall grade, you can choose one of these two options. If you choose the presentation, you will have 10-15 minutes to present your comments, thoughts, questions, or concerns on the given assigned reading.

If you choose to write the weekly reflections—instead of the presentation—you are required to submit a total of only five very short written reflections on the assigned weekly readings. In these reflections, you raise an issue, ask a question, make a comment, or present a claim on the assigned readings of the given week.

It is up to you which week you want to submit these assignments. Keep in mind that you must submit at least one short reflection prior to the reading week.

The length of each reflection cannot exceed one page double-spaced. They must be uploaded to Turnitin via eClass by the midnight before the sessions. That is, these assignments will be due on Mondays at 23:59pm on the week of your choice. Please note that no extensions will be granted for these short reflections.

1. c) Writing Assignment (20%) — Due February 28^th

Students are required to write a short paper (1000-1200 words) in which they choose a text and mainly explain the author’s thesis as well as her arguments. More detailed instructions on this assignment will be posted before the deadline. This assignment must be uploaded to Turnitin via eClass.

1. d) Term Paper (40%) — Due April 12^th

Term papers must be 3000-3500 words in length. We will discuss possible essay questions throughout the course. Detailed instructions on the final paper will be posted to eClass in mid-March. You are expected to submit the final papers to Turnitin via eClass.

Notice:

• Late submissions without granted extensions will be subject to 2% late penalty per day.
• I will upload useful resources on how to write philosophy papers to the course’s eClass.

This in-person seminar course takes three hours (with a short break). Students are expected to engage in discussions, ask questions, make comments, etc., all of which are only possible if the readings have been read carefully before each session.

The main purpose of this seminar is to read and analyze key texts on the particular subject of constructivism in moral and political philosophy. This accompanies the improvement of their ability to read critically and analyze carefully various philosophical texts, as well as the ability to articulate their thoughts clearly, write precisely, and present coherent arguments. These skills are key to critical engagement with any text, philosophical or not.