24.201 Topics in History of Phil: Kant's Ethical Theory
Fall 2019
Instructor: Tamar Schapiro
Lecture: TR11-12.30 (4-146)
Information:
Immanuel Kant’s ethical theory is the source of one of the most fertile and influential traditions in modern moral philosophy. In most introductory ethics courses, students learn only the bare outline of the theory. The aim of this course is to give students a deeper and more systematic understanding of Kant’s ethics. The heart of the course will consist in a careful, detailed reading of Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. We will supplement this reading, as needed, with sections of the Critique of Pure Reason and the Metaphysics of Morals. We will also read secondary materials as they become relevant. Among the questions we will be addressing are these: Is it possible to do the right thing, just because it is right (and not because it is advantageous to us, or productive of something that we happen to want)? What in the world are we doing when we are doing that? Why does Kant think that when we do the right thing, just because it is right, we are acting on the “Categorical Imperative”? If he is correct, what follows? What do we owe to ourselves and to others? Can we avoid being subject to moral obligation? And what does morality have to do with our “freedom” and our “rationality”? Pre-requisite: at least one course in philosophy, or instructor approval.
Announcements
Paper topics posted
I have posted topics for the last paper. It is due on Saturday, 12/7, at 5pm.The topics on animals should be pretty straightforward.
If you choose to write on freedom, I recommend you read the Bok chapters ahead of time, so that you have more time to digest them.
I have also included a topic on children, in case any of you
want to read my articles on that (they are on Stellar). We will not
be discussing that material in class, but you are welcome to make
an appt. with me to discuss it.
Announced on 22 November 2019 12:30 p.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Our schedule for the rest of the term
Hi everyone,For the remainder of the term, we will read chapters 2 and 3 from Hilary Bok, Freedom and Responsibility (Princeton, 1998). I have posted these on Stellar. Bok was a student of John Rawls, and although she does not mention Kant explicitly, she intends to offer a Kantian theory of freedom.
Tues. 11/26:
"Bok - read this first," (Stellar) - a document that I
wrote giving you Bok's terminology and aim, and
Bok, ch. 2, up to the section break on p. 75.
(If you need to save time, skip the section "What This
Distinction Is Not.")
Tues. 12/3:
Bok, remainder of ch. 2.
Thurs. 12/5:
Bok, ch. 3, up to section break on 109.
Tues., 12/10:
Bok, remainder of ch. 3
Your last paper will be due on Saturday, 12/7 at 5pm. I will send a separate announcement about that.
Announced on 22 November 2019 12:19 p.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Schedule for next week
Next week's schedule:Tuesday, 11/19: finish Korsgaard, "Interacting with Animals" (sec. 5-end)
Thursday, 11/21: post two questions for Korsgaard by 8pm on Wed., 11/20. I will go over them to make sure there isn't too much overlap.
Announced on 13 November 2019 8:57 a.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Reading responses
You may post a reading response tomorrow if you like, on any passage from the Groundwork - including the one you took as your topic for the third assignment.Announced on 13 November 2019 8:48 a.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Schedule of presentations for tomorrow
Hi everyone,The order of presentations tomorrow is:
1. Ohyoon, starting at 4:452
2. Brin, starting at 4:454
3. Liam, starting at 4:459
4. Elian, "Concluding Remark"
Note to each of you: whenever you come across unfamiliar concepts, like noumenal/phenomenal, intelligible world/sensible world, etc., try to explain what you think Kant could possibly mean, using different terms. I don't expect you to feel confident about your interpretations, but it's important to try. Avoid just repeating Kant's language.
Announced on 13 November 2019 8:46 a.m. by Tamar Schapiro
