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Academic Year 2005/2006

Justice and Reason
PHIL 214 FA

This course introduces students to the disciplined study of philosophy through sustained reflection upon the nature of justice and the grounding and authority of claims invoking justice. The central theme of the course is that conceptions of justice and authority cannot be understood on their own. The meaning and authority of justice can only be established through inferential relations to other philosophical issues, for example, concerning reason, knowledge, reality, agency, and identity. These issues will be explored through reflective engagement with classic treatments of these issues by Plato, Hobbes, and Kant, and more contemporary philosophical work. The contemporary readings include discussions of distributive justice (concerning access to resources and opportunities), the interplay between gender and conceptions of justice, the meaning of racial justice, and whether justice only concerns human interactions, or instead also applies to other species. This course has been designed to enhance students' capability in Ethical Reasoning, in accord with the University's curricular goals.

MAJOR READINGS

Plato, REPUBLIC
Hobbes, LEVIATHAN (Books I-II)
Kant, GROUNDING FOR THE METAPHYSICS OF MORALS
Rawls, A THEORY OF JUSTICE (selections)
Appiah and Gutmann, COLOR CONSCIOUS
and articles on reserve

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three essays requiring exposition of the views and reasoning of philosophers we have read, and development and justification of a comparative and/or critical assessment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

All students are required to meet approximately once a week outside of class in informal discussion groups that help set the agenda and prepare for general class discussions.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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