Six sessions

An introduction to ethical theories and ethical thinking. Literature and philosophy have both been instruments of challenge to established systems of morality, and ways to explore the implications of ethical ideas in human life. In each session, participants will discuss selected readings drawn from literature and philosophy. All readings are from out-of-copyright sources and will be distributed to registered students.

The focus of each session will be:

1. What's ethics?

2. What is good, what is evil? And, is everything relative?

3. Utilitarianism: the greatest good for the greatest number: pros and cons

4. Deontological ethics: Kant and his heirs and critics

5. Virtue-based ethics

6. Pragmatic ethics (Jane Addams, John Dewey, Felix Adler)

Location: Green Hedges School, Art Building