Ethical Theory

Theories such as utilitarianism, pure obligation theory, virtue-ethics, and enlightened self-interest theory propose to provide defensible methods for answering questions about right and wrong. The course examines traditional theories (Aristotle, Hobbes, Kant, Mill, etc.) and contemporary theories (Harman, Rawls, Wolf, Nagel, Gauthier) on issues such as moral skepticism and truth, rational self-interest, care as the basis of ethics, the diversity of moral beliefs, moral trump cards, etc.