Course Schedule and Catalog

Department: Philosophy

Meeting: 4:00PM - 5:15PM MW (11-JAN-2027 - 23-APR-2027) 

Part of Term: Full Term

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Distribution Group: Distribution Group I

Method of Instruction: Face to Face

Credit Hours: 3

 

Section Max Enrollment: 25

Section Enrolled: 0

Enrollment data as of: 2-NOV-2026 5:49AM

 

 

Final Exam: Scheduled Final Exam-OTR Room

 

Description: This is an introduction to the history of ethics with a focus on Aristotle, Kant, and John Stuart Mill. We read the primary texts together with classic contemporary papers that elucidate, develop and critique them. We focus on Aristotle’s distinctive version of the view that everyone desires the good, and his striking account of happiness. We spend time with Kant’s ambitious aim to give ethics a pure foundation in reason. We examine Kant’s famous claim that humanity has special value. We try to make up our minds about Mill’s distinction between active and passive pleasure, and his argument that some pleasures are better than others. We also think through his argument for everyone’s pleasure as the highest good. Students can expect to receive training and guidance in how to read difficult texts from the history of philosophy and this serves as an excellent foundation for the study of any subject in philosophy.