This course is an introduction to moral philosophy. We will ask questions such as: what are our duties to the global poor? Is it wrong to eat meat from factory farms? What makes human life go well? Under what circumstances is it permissible to bring people into existence? Does life have a meaning, and does it matter if it does not? Are there objective moral facts, or is morality subjective? In short, we will explore classic questions in applied ethics, normative ethics, and meta-ethics.

The current draft syllabus for the course can be found here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/642f3e920400867b65e4db49/t/6a4e98edd5797f3ba0b8aeef/1783535853979/Introduction_to_Moral_Philosophy_syllabus__Fall_26_.pdf.

Please note that all readings, discussions, and assessments—including oral examinations—will be conducted in English. Mastery of written and spoken English is essential for passing the course.

All readings will be made available online.

week1: Existentialism
week2: Global poverty
week3: Animals and factory farming
week4: Abortion
week5: Well-being
week6: Population Ethics
week7: Midterm oral and written exams
week8: Independent study period
week9: Aggregation
week10: Moral facts and explanations
week11: Evolutionary debunking
week12: Error theory and realism
week13: Meaning
week14: Absurdity and skepticism
week15: Final oral and written exams
week16: Independent study period

Please note that the exact week-by-week topics are subject to change at the instructor's discretion.