PHILO 230 - Honors Introduction to Moral Philosophy
1. Description
Philosophical issues arising in and about morality constitute an important part of
everyday life. This course introduces the student to these philosophical issues. It
will 1) cover general philosophical questions such as: What are theories of morality
are available to us? What is the relation of morality to religion? Is moral truth
universal or relative to cultures? and 2) examine the theories of classical authors:
Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, John Rawls, etc. It will also 3) seek to show how
philosophical reflection on morality can lead to a better understanding and help develop
a critical approach to issues that are involved in contemporary debates. These issues
are remarkably varied: war, capital punishment, abortion, genetic engineering, love,
sex, marriage, family, property, poverty, liberty, drugs, pornography, multiculturalism,
etc. Topics will be approached on the basis of the study of a selection of classical
and contemporary readings.
2. Objectives
The course is neither aimed at defending a theory of morality nor any moral position
in particular. It is aimed at a better understanding of what is a moral question and
what is a moral position in general. There is a wide range of moral theories and positions
available. A better understanding of these theories and positions, whether they reflect
one’s position or not, is an important step in the formation of one’s own moral judgement
and critical thinking in general. In general, when one adopts a moral position, one
has reasons – and indeed philosophical, although sometimes non-explicit reasons! –
to do so. Understanding other philosophers and ordinary people’s reasons to think
the way they do, and thus their philosophical commitments on certain moral issues,
especially if they are different or novel, may help one form better, stronger arguments
in favour of one’s own ideas. In this respect, the concrete objective of the course
is to provide students with argumentative and critical tools to support their personal
opinions on moral issues.