Philosophy 130: Introduction to Moral Philosophy
Spring, 2012

Course Theme: Morality and the Good Life

Two of the most important questions humans ask themselves are, "Why should I be moral?" and, "What is the meaning of life?" These questions are closely related to each other, because people tend to ask themselves why they should bother with morality at those moments when morality seems to be interfering with what they most want out of life. And people often ask themselves about the meaning of life when they're wondering whether following conventional morality and social rules really makes life worth living.

Because these are such perennial questions, many people have written about them. We're going to be looking at some of the best work philosophers have written on these issues. We will also read two short stories that provide a different way of thinking about these questions. Authors will include: Epictetus, Thomas Hobbes, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, John Stuart Mill, Leo Tolstoy, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Jean Paul Sartre.

Course assignments will include reading comprehension tests, short papers, and essay exams. There will be a course website on K-State Online, which will have the syllabus and other materials for the class.

 

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