Subject Area: Philosophy

What ought I do? How ought I live? Answers to the central questions of normative ethics typically draw upon moral theory, or the abstract underpinnings of ethical inquiry. This course introduces students to advanced topics in moral theory. Topics to be considered may include: the nature of moral obligation, egoism, the natural law tradition, the social contract tradition, consequentialism, utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, and virtue ethics. Relevant metaphysical and epistemological questions will be raised as well. Are there objective moral facts, or is morality simply a matter of subjective attitudes? Is human nature the basis of morality? Do we have free will? Is there only one correct moral outlook?