[
Wesleyan Home Page
] [
WesMaps Home Page
] [
WesMaps Archive
]
[
Course Search
] [
Course Search by CID
]
| |
Two major ancient approaches to right living (Platonic-Stoic and Aristotelian) differ radically over the role of experience and the possibility of transcending social norms, yet both insist that moral life is inextricably bound to individual happiness. Classic modern ideas of moral action (Kantian and utilitarian) face a potential gulf between individual happiness and moral rightness, even while they again disagree about whether morality's basic principles derive from experience. Especially since Marx and Nietzsche, moral theory faces a sustained challenge from social theorists who allege moral norms and judgments serve partisan political ends. Some have sought to repair universal ethics by prioritizing our sensitivity to oppression, yet the move away from simple moral universals has led others to conclude that moral judgments must be matters of personal integrity, worked out individually. Through all these debates we will inquire, does there remain an intelligible common concept of moral wisdom?
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL Grading Mode: Graded
Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.
Last Updated on MAR-21-2005
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459