PHIL-126 Ethics: Ancient/Modern Theory

Soyarslan, Sanem

The goal of this course is to encourage students to reflect on the meaning of “being moral” within the context of the development of ethical thought in the West. What is happiness? What is a good life? What does the life of a virtuous person consist in? These fundamental questions, posed by the ancients but persisting in their relevance, will be our starting point. Next we will explore the ways in which the questions of morality have changed over time as a result of the interplay between culture and ethical theory. In particular, we will see how the ancient contemplation of the good life is replaced in modern ethical theory by different sorts of moral questions, such as “How should we live?” and “On what principles should we act?” We will explore the similarities and differences between the ancient and modern approaches to ethics, covering a variety of great philosophers in the process, ranging from Plato and Aristotle to Nietzsche, Hume, Kant, and Mill.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

PHIL-126-01 Ethics: Ancient/Modern Theory

Soyarslan, Sanem

The goal of this course is to encourage students to reflect on the meaning of “being moral” within the context of the development of ethical thought in the West. What is happiness? What is a good life? What does the life of a virtuous person consist in? These fundamental questions, posed by the ancients but persisting in their relevance, will be our starting point. Next we will explore the ways in which the questions of morality have changed over time as a result of the interplay between culture and ethical theory. In particular, we will see how the ancient contemplation of the good life is replaced in modern ethical theory by different sorts of moral questions, such as “How should we live?” and “On what principles should we act?” We will explore the similarities and differences between the ancient and modern approaches to ethics, covering a variety of great philosophers in the process, ranging from Plato and Aristotle to Nietzsche, Hume, Kant, and Mill.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2004-2005 Fall and Spring
• 2005-2006 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.

The academic department web site for this program may provide other details about this course.