PHIL 333–Ontology and Ethics
Spring 2001
Syllabus
Instructor: Prof. Shane Drefcinski
Office: 339 Gardner Hall
Office Hours:  MWF 9:00-10:am, 12:00-1:00pm; TR 12:00-2:00pm, and by appointment.
Office Phone: 342-1828
FAX: 608-342-1427
E-Mail: Drefcins@uwplatt.edu
 
Course Description:
 Welcome to this seminar on ontology and ethics.  As described in the UWP undergraduate catalog, this course examines “the ontological foundations of ethics in the thought of some major moral philosophers.”  The major moral philosophers we will examine are David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Aristotle.  While you have undoubtedly read these authors in the past, our goal is, in part, to acquire a much more detailed understanding of these important  Western philosophers.  To help us do that, we will also consider some contemporary philosophers whose work connects with Hume, Kant, Nietzsche, or Aristotle.  Be prepared to do a lot of reading, and a great deal of thinking, thinking and more thinking.  Be prepared to discuss with the class what you have read and your thinking concerning what you have read.  Finally, be prepared to have a real adventure of the mind, significant work, but a great deal of intellectual challenge and fun in the process.
 
 Grading:
 The seminar will be conducted on a reading/discussion basis. This is not a lecture course.  It will be imperative to be here, have your readings done, and be prepared to discuss what you have read.  Your grade will be based on your attendance, participation, and a major paper (7-10 double-spaced pages) to be prepared and presented to the seminar for discussion.  As part of the grade based on participation, you will be expected to submit a short summary (1 paragraph) of the  readings assigned for that day at the beginning of each class.
 
Tentative Schedule of Topics and Readings:

January   16:  Introduction.
              18:     John Searle, “The Mind-Body Problem,” from Minds, Brains and Science (1984).
              23:     David Hume, Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748), ch. 2;  Treatise on Human Nature (1739), Book III, part 1, sections 1-2 (selections) .
              25:     J.L. Mackie, “The Subjectivity of Values”, from Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong (1977).
              30:     David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (1751),  section III, part 1 and section V, part 1.

February 1:    David Hume, Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding, ch. 8, part 1;  Searle, “The Freedom of the Will,” from Minds, Brains and Science.
               6:     Bernard Williams, “A Critique of Consequentialism,” from Utilitarianism: For and Against (1973).
               8:     Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Preface and Section I.
             13:     Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Section II, pp.19-35.
             15:     Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Section II, pp. 35-48.
             20:     Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Section III.
             22:     John Rawls, selections from A Theory of Justice (1971).
             27:     Friedrich Nietzsche, selections from Beyond Good and Evil (1886).
 
 March     1:   Friedrich Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morals (1887), Essay #1.
                6:   Friedrich Nietzsche,  On the Genealogy of Morals, Essay #2.
                8:   Friedrich Nietzsche,  On the Genealogy of Morals, Essay #3.
 March 12-16: “Spring” Break
            20:     Albert Camus, selections from The Myth of Sisyphus (1942).
            22:     Albert Camus, selections from The Myth of Sisyphus.
            27:     Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue (1981), ch. 1-2, 9.
            29:     Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (c. 350 B.C.) I, ch. 1-5, 7-8.
 
April       3:    Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics VIII, ch. 1-4, 10-11; IX, ch. 9.
               5:    Aristotle, Politics (c. 350 B.C.) I, 2; Alasdair MacIntyre, selections from Rational Dependent Animals (1999).
            10:     Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics I, ch. 13; De Anima (c. 350) III, ch. 9-10.
            12:     Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics III, 1-5.
            17:     Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics II, ch. 1-7.
            19:     Martha Nussbaum, “Non-Relative Virtues,” from The Quality of Life (1993),  Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue, ch. 12.
            24:     Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics V, ch. 1-4, 7, 10; VI, ch. 1-2, 5, 9-13.
            26:     Alasdair MacIntyre, selections from Whose Justice, Which Rationality? (1988). Review.

May      1:       Papers.
             3:       Papers
             8:       Papers (time to be announced).