Overview
Description
Historical survey of ethical theory, focusing on the ways in which theories of human nature shape our understanding of happiness, self-interest, and what we owe to one another. A central theme will be the intersection of the care of the self and living the good life, in both the everyday and moral senses of the terms.
Requirements
Prerequisites
- 3 credits in Philosophy.
Original catalog text
Prerequisites
3 credits in Philosophy.
Units
Lecture3
Catalog Details
Offering
Offered: Every Fall - Odd Years
Terms
fall
Core
CO12
Attributes
Standard
Learning Outcomes
- state a thesis about a problem in the history of ethical theory, and provide evidence and philosophical argument (including replies to counter-arguments) in its defense.
- explain and interpret the ideas associated with historical schools and figures in ethics.
- distinguish better and worse reasoning, and recognize relevant logical relationships and patterns of inference in different ethical theories.
- show what is at stake in abstract debates about ethics and its history, and indicate how different positions in these debates help elucidate our understanding of concepts such as moral obligation, ethical virtue, or human flourishing.