Metaethics asks the following questions: Is morality real, or an illusion? Is it part of the natural world? Is all morality culturally relative, or is some morality absolute? What do moral terms like 'wrong' really mean? How, if at all, do we know moral facts? In the first part this course, we will consider some influential answers to these questions by 20th and 21st century philosophers such as G.E. Moore, A.J. Ayer, Elizabeth Anscombe, J.L. Mackie, Peter Railton, Christine Korsgaard, and Sharon Street. In the second part of this course, we will read several essays describing metaethical views from outside mainstream Anglophone philosophy, such as views from ancient Egypt, the Mexica (Aztec) culture, and Confucian thought. All readings will be provided through Canvas. Some background in ethics is recommended, but not required. Offered: jointly with B H 404.

A TERM

TEXT: No Textbook Required – course materials will be available on Canvas.