What is the right thing to do? Do I really have a moral responsibility to others? Are there good reasons to act morally? Does morality have any foundation? This course in ethics will not only explore these questions in a systematic manner, but also engage with some of the most pressing problems in society today. Students will have the opportunity to develop familiarity with important ethical theories such as deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics and ethical relativism. They will be introduced to central philosophers such as Aristotle, Kant and Nietzsche and more modern writers such as Singer, Nussbaum and Neiman. Topics may include but are not limited to:
- Euthanasia, human experimentation and other issues in medical ethics.
- Terrorism, violence, equality and the limits of justice.
- Animal rights, sustainability, and eco-radicalism.
- Diversity and discrimination.
This course will provide students with an excellent introduction to the ethical dimension of many of the themes that they are studying at AUC: social systems, health and well-being, and energy, climate and sustainability.
