PHIL 430-Current Topics in Ethical Theory: Constructivism (fall 2012)
Charlie
Kurth Class: Wednesdays, 4:00-7:00pm
Email: ckurth [at] wustl [dot] edu Office
Hours: Mon 4:00-6:00pm, and by app't Office phone: 314-935-4753 Office
Location: Wilson 112
Course Overview
This
seminar will involve an in-depth exploration of moral constructivism—roughly, the view
that takes moral and evaluative facts, rules, reasons, etc. to be the product of things like our beliefs,
attitudes, and institutions. Constructivism is interesting because it seems
particularly well-placed to capture the objectivity and normativity that
characterize our moral discourse. In fact, it’s in part because of this that
there has been a surge in recent work that develops constructivist proposals.
As
part of our investigation, we will look at accounts from Kantian
constructivists as well as those who develop non-Kantian alternatives—e.g., ideal
observer accounts, sentiment-based views, and proposals that take morality to
be a kind of social convention. Looking at these accounts will allows us to
explore a set of inter-related questions in ethical theory and moral
psychology—questions such as: What is constructivism, and why is it plausible? In what way is morality objective and how can we
best explain the forms of objectivity that we associate with our moral
discourse? What is a moral judgment and how should we understand the connection
between moral judgment and moral motivation? To what extent can we explain
moral normativity from a naturalistic perspective?
Texts
Philip Kitcher, The
Moral Project (available from the Campus Bookstore)
Jessie Prinz, The
Emotional Construction of Morals (available from the Campus Bookstore)
Selected readings available on the course web site
Assignments
This course will have three graded components:
- Class Participation (10%).
This
course is structured as a seminar. So you will be expected to come to
class prepared to discuss the assigned readings.
- Reading
Responses (30%).
Throughout the course, you will write five brief critical response essays. You are free to choose which readings you write about and can use reading questions as guide for your papers.
These essays should be approximately two pages long, and should raise a
question or objection to some part of the assigned reading. For example,
your essay could start by briefly summarizing a particular claim (or
argument) from the assigned reading; you could then raise an objection
to this claim. Alternatively, you could identify an argument that you do
not understand and explain why it has you puzzled. Not only will these
response essays help prepare you for class discussion, but they should
also help you start thinking about possible topics for the long paper.
The essays are to be emailed to me by noon on the Tuesday before the
relevant Wednesday class meeting.
- Long Paper
(60%).
The longer paper assignment invites you to explore some of the topics that we will discuss in the course. You paper should be approximately 15 pages long.
You will need to write a brief paper proposal (details to come) and submit it to me by Wednesday, November 21. You will then turn in a draft of your paper in class on Wednesday, December 5 (our last class).
I will provide you with feedback by Monday, December 10. The final version
of
the paper will be due at 3:30pm on Monday, December 17. I will
provide
you with possible paper topics in November. If you would like
to explore a different topic, you will need to talk with me before hand.
While your draft needed be a highly polished piece, the more developed
it is, the better comments I will be able to give you. Turning in a
cursory draft may result in a grade penalty.
Policies
In order to help ensure a successful class, please heed the
following rules and policies:
- Due Dates.
Baring unusual circumstances, the due dates on the syllabus are non-negotiable. If you think you have reason to miss
an assignment, it is best to inform me well in advance.
- Classroom
Environment. Please arrive to class on time. All cell phones must be
turned off
during class. Texting is not permitted. Most importantly, treat your
classmates with respect. Abuse of these courtesies may lead
to
penalties.
- Statement of Academic Integrity. Upon
arrival at Washington University, you signed a statement indicating
that you understand that you will abide by the
University's Academic Integrity Policy (available here).
In this class, you will be expected to honor that commitment. This
means that all work presented as original must, in fact, be original;
the ideas and contributions of others (be they quotes, summaries, or
paraphrases) must be appropriately acknowledged. You are responsible for
(re)familiarizing yourself with these policies. If you have any questions, feel free to
talk to me.
Tentative Schedule of Readings and Assignments
Course Introduction & Overview
Wed., Aug. 29:
Humean Constructivism
Wed., Sept. 5:
Wed., Sept. 12:
Wed., Sept. 19:
Kantian
Constructivism Wed., Sept. 26: Wed., Oct. 3:
Ideal Observer Views
Wed., Oct. 10:
Convention and Social Practice Based Views Wed., Oct. 17 - Wong, Natural Moralities, Chap. 2: Pluralistic Relativism.
Wed., Oct. 24
- Kitcher, Sections 1-3, 5-7, 10-11, 13-17, 21-23, 25, 27
Wed., Oct. 31
Wed., Nov. 7
Sentiment Based Subjectivism
Wed., Nov. 14
- Prinz, 'Preamble' and Chaps 1-2
Wed., Nov. 21
- No Class—Thanksgiving holiday
- Paper proposals Due
Wed., Nov. 28
- Wiggins, "A Sensible Subjectivism?" (emailed to you)
- Blackburn, excerpts
- Prinz, Chap 3
Wed., Dec. 5
- Prinz, Chaps 4-5, 8
- Drafts Due
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