We will explore the place of morality in the contemporary world. Through careful reading of classic and contemporary works of moral philosophy, we will examine philosophical questions about how morality relates to religion, culture, science, and the good life. Among other topics, we will study theological voluntarism, moral relativism, moral realism and anti-realism, and major normative theories of ethics from ancient and modern thinkers.

The textbook for the course: Steven Cahn and Peter Markie, eds., Ethics: History, Theory and Contemporary Issues (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008), 4th ed.  ISBN: 9780195335965