Social and Moral Philosophy

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course surveys key issues in social and moral philosophy, with a particular focus on issues pertinent to marginalized groups. We will typically begin with an introduction to the general philosophical theories and then examine their implications for marginalised groups who may not straightforwardly fit within those theories, before finally considering how those theories may need to be adjusted to accommodate them. The topics we will cover include: Moral status: Why do we as persons matter morally? What is it to be a bearer of rights? Wellbeing: What does wellbeing consist in? Is what is good for us wholly self-determined? Is disability in itself bad for its bearer? Care ethics: How should our moral theories adjust to accommodate the vulnerable and dependent? Social Epistemology: What is it to take something on testimony? What should we make of testimony from a minority group that runs counter to general intuition? What is epistemic injustice? Social Ontology: What is a social group? What is race? What is gender? What is a team?