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Academic Year 2003/2004

Being Good and Acting Well
PHIL 331 SP

Contemporary ethical theory often focuses on identifying what makes actions right and wrong. But there are other dimensions of moral assessment than this. Not only acts, but also AGENTS may be good or bad; and both acts and agents may be MORALLY WORTHY or PRAISEWORTHY (or morally unworthy and blameworthy). The seminar will focus on this other dimension of moral assessment. Two general questions will guide our thinking about this dimension: (1) What is an account of moral worth or praiseworthiness FOR? What role has the notion of moral worth played in Aristotle, Kant, and consequentialism? (2) What are the factors that make agents and acts morally worthy or praiseworthy? Motives, effort, luck, attentiveness, and emotions, and character are some of the candidate factors. We'll look at each in some detail, with readings from contemporary authors.

MAJOR READINGS

Kant, GROUNDWORK OF THE METAPHYSICS OF MORALS
John Stuart Mill, UTILITARIANISM
Contemporary articles by Barbara Herman, Bernard Williams, Thomas Nagel, Allen Wood, Martha Nussbaum, and others

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Seminar participation
Mid-term paper (6-8 pages), due Friday, March 3
Final paper (14-20 pages), due Friday, May 5
Occasional reading quizzes

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

PHIL212 (Introduction to Ethics) OR PHIL215 (Humans, Animals, and Nature) are listed as prerequistes. However, an additional course in ethics is recommended.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: PHIL212 OR PHIL215 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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