24.231 Ethics
Spring 2018
Instructor: Tamar Schapiro
TA: Nicole Christine Garcia
Lecture: MW11 (66-168)
Information:
What makes right actions right and wrong actions wrong? What is it to have a virtuous rather than a vicious character? Why should we care about these distinctions at all? Our aim is to understand how some of the most influential philosophers have addressed these questions, and by so doing, to better formulate our own views. We will read classic and contemporary authors, including Aristotle, Bentham, Kant, Rawls, Nozick, Nagel and Korsgaard.
Announcements
We'll have snacks in class today (eom)
Announced on 16 May 2018 8:56 a.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Third paper assignment posted
I have posted prompts for the third paper, which is due on May 16, before class. Feel free to get an early start on it. There will be no extensions on this one.Announced on 28 April 2018 11:03 a.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Next Monday and Tuesday
Today I spoke as if we were having class next Monday. We aren't. It's Patriots Day. Our next class will be Wed. April 18.While I have your attention: Tuesday April 17 is the MIT Day of Action. You can read about it here: https://www.dayofaction.mit.edu/events. I encourage you to attend, and to volunteer if you are interested in helping out. Personally, I am very concerned about the criminalization of immigrants. I have organized a session on this topic, scheduled for Tues. 11-1. There are also sessions on cybersecurity, racial and economic justice, education, the war in Yemen, community organizing, and a host of other topics. All sessions will take place between 10am and 8pm on Tuesday. Please stop by!
Announced on 11 April 2018 5:16 p.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Before you read the Anscombe for Monday -
It's almost pedagogical malpractice for me to assign the Anscombe article. It is full of very condensed criticisms of philosophers you have never read. I won't be surprised if you can't follow 90% of the details. I am just interested in her main point, which is that we have to eliminate the idea of "moral obligation" or "moral ought" from our thinking. If you look at Jimmy's reading response for 4/9, that will give you a good sense of what I had hoped you would understand and ask.Announced on 08 April 2018 11:45 a.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Second paper assignment posted
I have posted the topics for the second paper. It is due on Friday, April 6, at 7pm. Please feel free to contact me or Nicole if you have any questions.Announced on 21 March 2018 3:54 p.m. by Tamar Schapiro
