Transcript HU245
HU245 Introduction to Ethics: Instructor:Jere Vincent But what’s philosophy? “Philosophy” derives from Greek and means love of wisdom Philosophy takes on big questions that often come from reflection on everyday life, things we take for granted critical thinking General Intro (ctd.) HU245 introduces you to philosophical thinking focused on values and society Moral philosophy is the study of ethics values in how we lead our lives what makes actions right or wrong? Political philosophy focuses on ideal, institutions and practices that structure our social lives Fundamental questions (in ethics) Are moral values relative to, rather than universal across, different cultures? Does morality crucially involve human pleasure and pain? Is the most important feature of our moral lives that we act from duty? Are moral values relative to cultures? Observation: some cultures seem really different from our own in what they think is right and wrong Conclusion: what’s right and wrong is not universal, but relative to one’s culture Fundamental questions (in ethics) Are moral values relative to, rather than universal across, different cultures? Does morality crucially involve human pleasure and pain? Is the most important feature of our moral lives that we act from duty? … in political philosophy Do individuals have rights that no government can legitimately interfere with? Is capitalism necessarily exploitative of wage labourers? Is the development of moral thinking the same for men and for women? B. Five Course objectives acquire substantial knowledge about issues at the heart of moral & political philosophy, & more generally about philosophical reflection on values & society develop critical thinking skills that allow you to probe beneath the surface of what you read and hear both in class and beyond it B. Five Course objectives improve the quality of your own thinking and writing about morality & politics become a more sophisticated philosophical thinker about values & society see how to apply the knowledge you acquire in the course to everyday moral and political issues and issues that matter to you. C. Thematic Overview Moral relativism Utilitarianism Kantian ethics Libertarianism and political philosophy Marx on society Moral thinking, justice, and care Fundamental questions (in ethics) Are moral values relative to, rather than universal across, different cultures? Moral Relativism Does morality crucially involve human pleasure and pain? Utilitarianism Is the most important feature of our moral lives that we act from duty? Kantian Ethics … in political philosophy Do individuals have rights that no government can legitimately interfere with? Libertarianism and political philosophy Is capitalism necessarily exploitative of wage labourers? Marx on society Is the development of moral thinking the same for men and for women? Moral thinking, justice, and care So, Welcome to HU245! Introduction to Ethics: Professor: Jere Vincent