INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS
Autumn 2011: H307
Mon/Wed: 1-2:20pm
INSTRUCTOR: Micah Lott (micah.lott@auw.bd.edu)
OFFICE HOURS: TBD and by appointment, Building H, 6th floor (PPE suite)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
How does one live well as a human being? What makes an action “morally right” or “morally
wrong”? What do we mean by calling something a “virtue” or a “vice”? How is living a virtuous life
related (or unrelated) to living a happy life? Are all moral standards “culturally relative”? Are any
actions always morally prohibited, and if so why?
These are some of the most basic questions of moral philosophy. In this course, we will discuss
these questions, as well as others, and we will examine possible answers. Our strategy will be
historical and textual: We will approach our topic by analyzing some of the most important texts in
the history of moral philosophy. We will read, discuss, and write about these texts.
One of the guiding themes of this course is moral understanding. When a person knows how to live
well, what kind of knowledge is this? And how is this moral knowledge different from craft knowledge
(e.g. knowing how to build houses) or theoretical knowledge (e.g. knowing about chemistry or
physics)? As we will see, this is an issue that arises in Chinese philosophy (Confucius and Mencius),
as well as ancient Greek philosophy.
The topic of moral understanding is closely related to another topic - the structure of the human
person. If a person knows how to live well, how is that knowledge related to her capacity to reason?
And how is it related to her capacity for feeling? Might it even be that ethics is not a matter of
knowledge at all, but “mere emotion”? These questions require us to examine the different parts of
the human person. For this reason, Western moral philosophy since Plato has been linked
examinations of the parts of the soul.
A third topic is related to both moral understanding and the parts of the soul – what is the rational
authority of morality? Do moral requirements provide decisive reasons for action, independently of
how a person happens to think or feel? If so, why is this the case? In modern philosophy (e.g. Hume
and Kant), the rational authority of morality is a central concern, and it is closely connected to the
question of whether ethics is based in reason or emotion
TEXTS
The following texts are required and available in the library. Additional readings (e.g. medieval
philosophy) will be made available to you:
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Plato: Collected Works
Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
David Hume: Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals
Immanuel Kant: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
I) PARTICIPATION. Discussion is essential for learning philosophy, and significant amount of class
time will be devoted to discussion. You should come to class having read and thought about the
assigned texts, and prepared to discuss them. You should also be prepared to be called on in class. If
you show yourself to be unprepared for class discussion, this will adversely impact your participation
grade. You will receive credit for the quality, not the sheer quantity, of your participation.
I will take attendance. You are allowed 2 unquestioned absences. After that, each absence will cost
you a step in your participation grade (from A to A-, B+ to B). Absences may be excused by
extreme circumstances (e.g. family tragedy – see handout). An absence will not be excused if you
email me to explain that you are very busy, not feeling well, etc.
In addition, at the discretion of the instructor, there may be short writing assignments that will be
due in class. These will figure into your participation grade.
Participation will account for 15% of your final grade. I emphasize: the participation aspect of your
grade will not be a “free pass” for full credit. If you are not the sort of student who enjoys coming
to class and participating, I suggest you consider taking a different course.
II) ASSIGNMENTS. You will write three papers:
First paper (4 pages), due Oct 17th worth 25% of your final grade.
Second paper (5 pages), due Nov 23rd worth 25% of your final grade.
Third paper (6 pages), due Dec 19th worth 35% of your final grade.
GRADING
You will receive both letter and numerical grades for each assignment. The numerical grades will be
used to calculate your final grade. Numerical and letter grades correspond as follows:
A 10.0-9.5
A- 9.4-9.0
B+ 8.9-8.7
B 8.6-8.3
B- 8.2-8.0
C+ 7.9-7.7
C 7.6-7.3
C- 7.2-7.0
D 6.9-6.5
F 6.4 and below
Late papers will be deducted one grade step (e.g. from B to B-) for each day after the deadline they
are received. You are allowed 1, no questions ask, no penalty, 2-day extension on one of the papers.
I suggest you save this till absolutely necessary. No other extensions are allowed, outside of tragedy.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is strictly forbidden. Plagiarism undermines the enterprise of learning. It is dishonest. It is
disrespectful to other scholars and to your instructor. Do not plagiarize. If you are unsure of what
counts as plagiarism, please ask me or the TA. It is better to ask up front than to be penalized later.
For a first offense, you will receive an F on the assignment. For a second offense, you will receive an
F for the course. Also, see the attached sheet stating AUW’s policy plagiarism.
ELECTRONICS
All electronic devices should be switched to silent mode before coming to class. Because laptops
tend to be a distraction and an impediment to discussion, their use is prohibited.
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SPECIAL CONCERNS
If you have any questions or concerns – including any concerns related to a disability or special need
– please feel free to speak with me or email me. I am happy to make accommodations. I want all of
you to be able to learn in a safe, comfortable environment.
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS
INTRODUCTION
M
Selections from Confucius: Basic questions of moral philosophy.
9/12 Being “learned” and knowing The practical character of our inquiry.
how to live.
Course organization and policies.
PART I: ANCIENT ETHICS: PLATO AND ARISTOTLE
W
9/14
Plato: Protagoras
309a–328d
What is a sophist? Can virtue be taught? Socrates’ first
remarks. Protagoras speech on virtue and human nature.
M
9/19
Plato: Protagoras
323c–347c
Protagoras speech cont: two kinds of human wisdom,
civic life. Socrates’ first refutation of Prot. Interlude.
W
9/21
Plato: Protagoras
347 –362a
Final questioning: pleasure and good, reason and passion,
virtue as knowledge.
M
9/26
Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics
I.1–I.7
“the good is ‘the which all things seek’ ”; happiness;
character of ethical inquiry; function and virtue
W
9/28
Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics
I.8–I.13
Different goods and kinds of life; “happiness is some
activity of soul in accordance with complete excellence”
M
10/3
Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics
II.1–II.9
Intellectual and moral virtue. Pleasure, pain and
habituation. Account of moral virtue.
W
10/5
Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics
III.1–III.9
Voluntary and counter-voluntary. Deliberation, wish, and
choice. Two moral virtues: courage and moderation.
NB: Second assignment topics distributed.
M
Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics
10/10
VI.1–VI.13
Distinctions among intellectual virtue. Varieties of
wisdom/understanding. Unity of the virtues.
W
Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
10/12
X.6–X.9
Complete happiness and contemplation. Ethics as a
subdivision of politics.
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PART II: MEDIEVAL THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY
+ First assignment due in class: Monday, October 17
M
Ar-Razi: Philosopher’s Way
10/17 Sec. 1-26
“let us know make as thorough a statement about the
philosophical way of life as will be of benefit to those
who love and honor knowledge”
W
Alfarabi: Attainment of Happiness
10/19
Subdivisions 1–3
“the four human things by which supreme happiness is
achieved”
M
Avicenna: The Decicive Treatise
10/24
C.1–E.1
Defense of philosophy against the charge of unbelief.
The intention of the Law and its methods: “true
science is cognizance of God”
W
Maimonides: The Guide
10/26
Part 3.26-28, 34
The aim and purpose of the law: well-being of the soul
and well-being of the body.
M
Aquinas: Summa Theologica
10/31
The chief end of human beings found only in the next
life -happiness as the beatific vision.
PART II: MODERN APPROACHES: HUME AND KANT
W
11/2
David Hume: Enquiry
I and II
Morals founded in reason or sentiment?
Account of benevolence.
M
11/14
David Hume: Enquiry
III and IV
Account of justice and political society.
NB: Second assignment topics distributed.
W
11/16
David Hume: Enquiry
V and VI
Usefulness, agreeableness, and self-love.
Social virtue and why it pleases.
M
11/21
David Hume: Enquiry
VII and VIII
Sentiment of approbation without a view to utility.
Eloquence, modesty, decency, cleanliness.
W
11/23
David Hume: Enquiry
IX and Appendix 1
“The notion of morals implies some sentiment common
to all mankind, which recommends the same object to
general approbation”
+ Second assignment due in class: Wednesday, November 23
M
Kant: Groundwork
11/28
Preface and I
Forms of rational cognition. Aim of the book: “nothing
more than the search for and establishment of the
supreme principle of morality” (4:392).
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W
Kant: Groundwork
11/30
Part I cont.
The good will, moral esteem and duty.
Initial statement of categorical imperative.
M
12/5
Kant: Groundwork
II
3 formulations of CI: Universal Law, Humanity, and
Autonomy.
NB: Final assignment topics distributed.
W
12/7
Kant: Groundwork
II cont.
The kingdom of ends. Relations among the 3 formulations
of categorical imperative. Mill’s criticism of Kant.
M
Kant: Religion
12/12
Part I. 1-3
Radical evil in human nature.
Animality, humanity, personality.
Two fundamental maxims of good and evil
W
Kant: Religion
12/14
Part I. 4
“The human being must make or have made himself into
whatever he is or should become in a moral sense, good or
evil.”
+ Final assignment due: Monday, December 19
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