Philosophy 125C S£<Great Philosophers

Fall 2007M-W 1-2:30

McDonnell 361

Professor:Anne Margaret BaxleyOffice: Wilson Hall 105Offices hours: by appt.E-mail: abaxley@wustl.eduCell: (314) 283-9378

Teaching Assistant:Zach HoskinsOffice: Wilson Hall 116Office hours: M-W 3-4E-mail: zhoskins@wustl.edu

This course offers a survey of some central figures and texts in the history of ethics andpolitical theory. We will focus on Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Kant'sGroundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, and Mill's Utilitarianism. Some of the questions wewill address are: What constitutes the good life for a human being? Is it happiness? If so, inwhat does happiness consist? What does it mean to be a virtuous person, and how, if at all, doesvirtue contribute to happiness? Is there a price to be paid for being virtuous, and is that sacrificeworth the cost? What reasons do we have to be moral, and is it always in one's interest to do theright thing? How should we understand the relationship between politics and personalhappiness? What is pleasure, and is there a distinction in kind between kinds of pleasure? Whatis the nature of individual rights, and is it ever permissible to violate one person's rights for thegood of the whole?

REQUIRED TEXTSPlato, Republic, trans. G. M. A Grube and revis. C. D. C. ReeveAristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, trans. Terence Irwin, second editionImmanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, trans, and ed. Mary J. GregorJohn Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism, ed. George Sher

COURSE MATERIALSPlease purchase the specific editions of the texts that I have ordered through the Universitybookstore. Also, please bring the text we are currently discussing with you to class. The readingassignment should be done carefully, prior to the class meeting for which it is listed, and Iencourage you to read the material again, after the class in which we have discussed it. Althoughthis is an introductory course, the texts we're reading are difficult and require careful, multiplereadings.

For each assignment you're supposed to read, I've listed the book and/or the chapter, followedby the page number in the editions we'll be using. For example, "R I, pp. 1-31" refers to Plato'sRepublic, Book I, which is found in pages 1-31 of the Grube/Reeve translation.

R=Republic^^Nicomachean EthicsG=Groundwork of the Metaphysics of MoralsU= Utilitarianism

SCHEDULE OF READINGS AND TOPICS

Wed Aug 29Mon Sept 3

Introduction and OverviewLabor Day

PLATOWed Sept 5Mon Sept 10Wed Sept 12lviuii oCpi i /Wed Sept 19Mon Sept 24Wed Sept 26Mon Oct 1

The Puzzle About JusticeThe Ring of GygesThe City-Soul Analogyi iciLW o \_i UaTtiicuiS

Political and Psychic VirtuesPlato's Philosopher-KingFour Characters and ConstitutionsPlato's Defense of Justice

RI,pp. 1-31RII, pp. 32-59RII, pp, 32-59T> TTT ,™ An.OIJLV XJ.X, pp. \J\J ^ ~J

RIV, pp. 94-121R VII, pp. 186-212RVIII, pp. 213-240RIX, pp. 241-263

ARISTOTLEWed Oct 3

Fri Oct 5

Mon Oct 8Wed Oct 10Mon Oct 15Wed Oct 17Mon Oct 22Wed Oct 24

Mon Oct 29

A Final Good; Three CommonConceptions of HappinessFirst Papers Due5pm 208 Wilson HallThe Human FunctionExternal Goods; Posthumous GoodsAristotle's Moral PsychologyThe Doctrine of the MeanBravery and TemperanceComprehensive vs. IntellectualConceptions of HappinessFirst Exam

Ni, 1-7, pp. 1-10

N i, 7-8, pp. 7-11N i, 8-12, pp. 10-16Ni, 13-ii, 1-7, pp. 1N ii, 7-9, pp. 25-30Niii, 6-12, pp. 40-49

KANTWed Oct 31Mon Nov 5Wed Nov 7Mon Nov 12Wed Nov 14Fri Nov 16

Mon Nov 19Wed Nov 21

The Good Will, Moral Worth, and Duty G I, pp. 7-18Kant's Examples of Morally Worthy Action G I, pp. 7-18Moral vs. Non-Moral Motivation GII, pp. 19-25The Formula of Universal Law GII, pp. 26-37The Formula of Humanity G II , pp. 37-51Second Paper Due5pm 208 Wilson HallThanksgiving BreakThanksgiving Break

MILLMon Nov 26

Wed Nov 28Mon Dec 3Wed Dec 5Mon Dec 10

The Greatest Happiness Principle;The Doctrine of the Higher PleasuresObjections to UtilitarianismObjections to Utilitarianism cont'dMill's Proof of the Principle of UtilitySecond Exam

ULpp. 1-12

U II, pp. 12-22U II, pp. 22-26U IV, pp. 35-41

COURSE REQUIREMENTSTwo 5-page papers: 25% eachTwo in-class exams: 25% each

Papers: I will distribute topics for the papers well in advance of the due dates. Extensions forthe papers will be granted only in the case of emergencies and must be cleared with me. Late

Exams: The exams will consist of terms and passages to identify and explain, as well as shortdiscussion questions. Prior to the exams, I will say something more specific about their contentso that you will know precisely what to expect.

Class participation: Though there is no explicit participation component for your overall coursegrade, keep in mind that active and informed participation in class discussions as well as markedimprovement in your work over the course of the semester will weigh in your favor.

Extra credit: There will be an opportunity for you to work (individually or in pairs) on a projectfor extra credit for your overall course grade (I will explain the relevant details later).

PASS/NO PASSIf you are taking the course for this grade option, you must attend class regularly, and you mustcomplete all of the course requirements in order to receive a pass for the semester.

OFFICE HOURSI have not set regular office hours, but I am always readily available and happy to meet with youat a time that's convenient for you. Please email me to set up a time to meet if you would like.