PHIL 391
The Ethics of Hume and Kant
Last Offered Spring 2012
Division II
Writing Skills
This course is not offered in the current catalog
Class Details
David Hume and Immanuel Kant are indisputably among the most influential figures in the western philosophical tradition. Interestingly, each regarded his work in epistemology and metaphysics as a mere prelude to his work in moral philosophy. In both domains, Kant took himself to be responding directly to Hume, whom he credited with awakening him from his dogmatic slumber. In this tutorial we shall study their core works in moral philosophy, in which they develop conceptions of practical rationality, motivation, freedom, and morality. For Hume, we’ll read Books II and III of A Treatise of Human Nature, the Second Enquiry, and several essays, including “Of the Standard of Taste.” For Kant, we’ll read Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals and Critique of Practical Reason, along with related essays. Rich and intriguing in their own right, these texts are particularly rewarding when read together, as they articulate profoundly different views of the nature of human reason, agency, and sociality. It is no exaggeration to say that Hume and Kant have set the stage for much current work on these issues in contemporary ethics. One happy consequence of the enduring quality of their work is an abundance of superb secondary literature, which we’ll draw upon to supplement our study of the primary texts.
The Class:
Format: tutorial
Limit: 10
Expected: 10
Class#: 3277
Grading: no pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Limit: 10
Expected: 10
Class#: 3277
Grading: no pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation:
students meet with instructor in pairs for 1 hour each week; each student will write a 5- to 6-page paper every other week (6 in all) and comment on their tutorial partner's paper in alternate weeks
Extra Info:
emphasis will be placed on developing skills in reading, interpretation and oral argument, as well as critical reasoning and writing
Extra Info 2:
may not be taken on a pass/fail basis
Prerequisites:
a 100-level PHIL course, PHIL 202, or permission of instructor
Enrollment Preferences:
current and prospective Philosophy majors
Distributions:
Division II
Writing Skills
Attributes:
PHIL History Courses
Class Grid
Updated 6:22 pm
-
HEADERS
Column header 1
CLASSESColumn header 2DREQColumn header 3INSTRUCTORSColumn header 4TIMESColumn header 5CLASS#
-
PHIL 391 - TUT The Ethics of Hume and Kant
PHIL 391 TUT The Ethics of Hume and KantDivision II Writing SkillsNot offered
Megamenu Social