Normative Ethical Theory

This class considers contemporary literature in normative ethical theory and its methodology. We will consider contemporary forms of Consequentiailism, Deontology, and Virtue Ethics. For example, we will discuss the difference between objective and subjective forms of moral evaluation and the the theoretical problems each is trying to solve. We will consider the methodology of comparing and contrasting thought experiments in ethics, which is at the base of normative intuitionism, which is, roughly, the view that refining our intuitive responses enables us to discover the true moral principles. We will also consider how both Kantian Ethics and Virtue Ethics have developed over the past 30 years. Prerequisites: one course in Philosophy at the 300-level, graduate standing, or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes: EN H; AS HUM; FA HUM; AR HUM

Normative Ethical Theory

PHILOSOPHY 4315

Section 01