Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (tr. Terence Irwin)
David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature (ed. L. A. Selby-Bigge; rev. P. H. Nidditch)
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals (tr. H. J. Paton)
John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism

Schedule of readings and exams:

Aug 22: Introduction
Aug 27: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics [8 meetings]
[Use Irwin sections as reading guide as follows: (1) 1; (2) 2-3; (3) 4; (4) 5; (5) 6; (6) 7-8; (7) 9-11; (8) 12- 14.]
Sep 24: Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature, Books II (selections) and III [8 meetings]
Oct 22: Review of Aristotle and Hume
Oct 24: Exam (Aristotle and Hume) 25%
Oct 29: Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [6 meetings]
Nov 19: Mill, Utilitarianism [5 meetings]
Dec 10: Review of Kant and Mill Note: paper and review due.
Dec 16: Exam (Kant and Mill) 11:30 a.m. 25%

Course requirements:

Regular attendance, careful preparation of readings prior to their discussion in class, and appropriate participation in discussion are essential. Performance with respect to these requirements will count for 10% of course grade.

There will be two in-class, essay-style exams, on dates and topics indicated above. The exams will comprise questions selected from a set of questions provided in advance. Each exam will count for 25% of the course grade. Exams will be graded on a scale of 0-100. Only in exceptional circumstances will opportunity for make-up exams be provided. Only in quite exceptional circumstances will such opportunity be provided if arrangements have not been made prior to the regularly scheduled date of the exam.

There are two additional writing assignments, each worth 20% of the course grade, and each due by the last class period (Dec 10): (1) an interpretive and critical term paper, 2000-2500 words (8-10 pages) in length, on a topic - and with a reading list - approved by the instructor; (2) a well-informed, critical review of an appropriate secondary work on the moral philosophy of one or another of the philosophers whom we shall study. The review should be 2000-2500 words (8-10 pages in length); and it must concern one or other of the texts listed below, unless some other text is approved by the instructor. Late papers or reviews, if accepted, will be subject to grade penalty.

Note: Students should be familiar with university policies on academic misconduct. Academic misconduct on any examination, paper or review for this course will will prompt a grade of 0 points for the examination, paper or review in question.

Note: If a student does not intend to complete the work for the course that student must take responsibility for either (a) withdrawing from the course in timely fashion, or (b) requesting - for compelling reason, and in timely fashion - that the instructor assign a grade of `I'. The grade of `I' will be assigned only upon timely request by the student.

List of books approved for review:

Sarah Broadie Ethics with Aristotle
W. F. R. Hardie Aristotle's Ethical Theory (2 ed.)
C. D. Reeve Practices of Reason: Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
Pall S. Ardal Passion and Value in Hume's Treatise
Annette Baier A Progress of Sentiments: Reflections on Hume's Treatise
John Bricke Mind and Morality: An Examination of Hume's Moral Psychology
J. L. Mackie Hume's Moral Theory
Francis Snare Morals, Motivation, and Convention: Hume's Influential Doctrines
Henry Allison Kant's Theory of Freedom
Barbara Herman The Practice of Moral Judgment
H. J. Paton The Categorical Imperative: A Study in Kant's Moral Philosophy

Office hours (3050 Wescoe): Tuesdays, 11:00-12:00; Wednesdays, 2:15-3:30; Thursdays, 11:00-12:00. Appointments may be made with Cindi Hodges, the departmental secretary, in 3052 Wescoe.

Any student who has a disability that might affect his/her performance in this class is encouraged to discuss the matter with the instructor at the earliest opportunity.