24.201 Topics in History of Phil: Rationalism and Sentimentalism in Ethical Theory
Spring 2019
Instructor: Tamar Schapiro
Lecture: TR11-12.30 (56-180)
Information:
This course is about the foundations of ethics. Is there anything we genuinely ought to do, and if so, why? We will approach this question by familiarizing ourselves with a particularly fruitful period in the development of moral philosophy. This is the period in Britain from 1650-1780, just prior to the nearly simultaneous emergence of Kant's moral philosophy and Bentham's utilitarianism. During this time, rationalists and sentimentalists engaged in a substantive conversation about the nature and source of moral obligation. Their conversation foreshadowed debates between cognitivists and noncognitivists in 20th c. metaethics, and in many ways it addressed the foundational question more directly than did the later debates. Our readings will include Hobbes, Clarke, Wollaston, Shaftesbury, Hutcheson, Butler, Hume, and Smith.
Announcements
SURPRISE! Today will be our last day of class.
I hereby declare that today will be our last day of class. Please bring your laptop with you. We will go over the Korsgaard, do a wrap-up activity, and I'll have you fill out course evaluations in class.Announced on 14 May 2019 8:27 a.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Updated syllabus posted
Hi everyone,I have posted a revised syllabus that replaces Adam Smith with Korsgaard and Kant. Please follow this syllabus for the rest of the term.
I will distribute the fourth paper topics in class today.
Best,
Tamar
Announced on 02 May 2019 10:14 a.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Third paper assignment posted
For anyone who missed class today:I have posted the topics for the third writing exercise. Please notice that the due date is different from the one originally stated on the syllabus. Instead of being due Saturday, April 20, your paper is due Monday, April 22.
Best,
Tamar
Announced on 11 April 2019 7:47 p.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Study on well-being
Dear 24.201 students,A graduate student I have worked with outside the philosophy department is doing a study on well-being, and he needs subjects on short notice. See below for the opportunity. He is hoping to start asap, so please contact him if you are interested.
Best,
Tamar
---
The MIT Media Lab Affective Computing Group is interested in how
self-reflection influences mental wellbeing.
We are looking for participants to take part in a 2-week study,
requiring about 15 mins each week, in addition to approximately 1
hour 15 mins as bookends to the two weeks (45 mins consent session
at the beginning, plus 30 mins for surveys administered over email
at the end). You will receive $30 for your participation.
Participants must be at least 18 years old and an undergraduate at
MIT.
We will use the results to help guide the development of future
wellbeing interventions.
If interested, please contact acy@mit.edu.
Announced on 09 April 2019 10:48 p.m. by Tamar Schapiro
Guide for second Butler reading
Hi everyone,The second Butler reading is rather long, and it is hard to tell where the arguments are. I will focus on (at least) two arguments. One is on 351-2, where Butler uses the example of a brute who runs into a trap (a "snare"). The other is on pp. 265-7, where Butler tries to explain how self-love is related to the particular passions.
Tamar
Announced on 04 April 2019 10:11 a.m. by Tamar Schapiro
