Classics in Western Philosophy – Values and Morality

Syllabus

Classics in Western Philosophy

Values and Morality

Teacher: Prof. Gary Jason

Office & Hours: AH-4146 MWF 11:00am and by appt.

Phone (Toll-free): 888-231-8183 FAX (Toll-free): 888-252-9256

Email: gary@profgaryjason.com

Texts (required):

Plato, Republic, translated by Grube and Reeve, Hackett.

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, translated by Thomson & Tredennick, Penguin Books.

Kant, Immanuel, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, translated by James W. Ellington, Hackett.

Mill, John Stuart, Utilitarianism, edited by George Sher, Hackett.

Kaufman, Walter, Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre, revised edition, Meridian Books.

Course Description: This course is intended for seniors not majoring in Philosophy to give them a rigorous introduction to moral philosophy/ethical theory. We will examine and compare the views about moral life given in a group of very influential classic texts.

Requirements: Besides regular attendance, the student will take two essay-format midterms and a final examination, and write a series of short essay papers along the way. Grading scale:

Midterm #1: 20%

Midterm #2: 20%

Short Papers (collectively): 40%

Final Exam: 20%

Schedule of Topics and Readings:

Part I	Introduction
Lect 1	Course introduction.
Lect 2	The nature of philosophy.
Lect 3	The nature of ethical theory.
Part II	Morality as virtue: Plato and Transcendent Virtue
Lect 4	Plato, Republic, Book I.
Lect 5	Republic, BookII.
Lect 6	Same, Books III.412b-IV.
Lect 7	Same, Books IV continued.
Lect 8	Same, Book V.
Lect 9	Same, Book VI-VII.
Lect 10	Same, Book VII continued.
Lect 11	Same, Book IX.
Part II	Morality as Virtue: Aristotle and Immanent Virtue
Lect 12	Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I.
Lect 13	Same, Book I continued.
Lect 14	Same, Book II.
Lect 15	Same, Book III, i-v.
Lect 16	Same, Book V, v-viii.
Lect 17	Same, Book VI.
Lect 18	Same, Book X.
Lect 19	Same, Book X continued
Lect 20	In-class test
Part III	Morality as Rule Governed Action: Kant’s Deontological Theory
Lect 21	Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Preface.
Lect 22	Same, First Section.
Lect 23	Same, First Section continued.
Lect 24	Same, Second Section.
Lect 25	Same, Second Section continued.
Lect 26	Same, Second Section continued.
Lect 27	Kant, “On the Supposed Right to Tell a Lie.”
Lect 28	Second in-class exam.
Part III	Morality as Rule-Governed Action: Mill’s Consequentialism
Lect 29	Mill, Utilitarianism, Chapter I.
Lect 30	Same, Chapter II.
Lect 31	Same, Chapter II continued.
Lect 32	Same, Chapter III.
Lect 33	Same, Chapter IV.
Lect 34	Same, Chapter V.
Lect 36	Same, Chapter v continued.
Part IV	The Existentialist Approach: Morality as Subjectivity, Freedom, and Commitment.
Lect 37	Ortega, “Man Has No Nature” (Kaufmann, 152-157).
Lect 38	Nietzsche, Assorted Selections (Kaufmann, 121-133
Lect 39	Same, continued
Lect 40	Sartre, “Existentialism as a Humanism” (Kaufmann, 345-369)
Lect 41	Sartre, “Self-Deception” (Kaufmann, 299-309)
Lect 42	Same, (Kaufmann, 309-329)
Lect 43	Camus, “The Myth of Sisyphus” (Kaufmann, 375-378)
Lect 44	Conclusion