Philosophy 2

Questions of individual morality and social justice are questions not about how things are, but about how they ought to be. We will study some of these questions, and traditional attempts to answer them. In addition to studying philosophy, we will also do philosophy. That is — while being informed by the answers and arguments given by Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Bentham, Mill, Nietzsche, and others — we will attempt to state and defend our own answers to these questions. Here are some examples of the questions will will discuss: What is the morally right thing to do? Why should I do the morally right thing? Is there a moral law that applies to everyone, or is it relative in some way? Why, if at all, should I obey the law? Why, if at all, should I tolerate beliefs and practices other than my own? There are no prerequisites for taking this course.