Module #1 Introduction to Enlightenment Philosophy Overview of the key figures, ideas, and historical context of the Enlightenment, setting the stage for an exploration of ethics and morality in this period.
Module #2 The Emergence of Modern Moral Philosophy Tracing the development of modern moral philosophy from ancient Greece to the Enlightenment, highlighting key precursors and influences.
Module #3 Rene Descartes:The Foundations of Modern Ethics Examining Descartes philosophical system and its implications for ethics, including the concept of moral certainty and the role of reason.
Module #4 John Locke:The Social Contract and Natural Rights Analyzing Lockes social contract theory and its implications for ethics, including the concept of natural rights and the limits of government authority.
Module #5 Immanuel Kant:The Grounding of Morality Delving into Kants moral philosophy, including the categorical imperative, moral laws, and the role of reason in moral decision-making.
Module #6 David Hume:Moral Sentimentalism and the Role of Emotions Exploring Humes moral sentimentalism, including the role of emotions, sympathy, and moral judgment in his system.
Module #7 Jean-Jacques Rousseau:The Social Contract and the General Will Examining Rousseaus social contract theory, including the concept of the general will, the role of the state, and the tension between individualism and collectivism.
Module #8 The Concept of Human Nature in Enlightenment Thought Investigating how Enlightenment thinkers understood human nature, including debates about innate goodness, selfishness, and the role of education.
Module #9 The Role of Reason in Enlightenment Ethics Analyzing the central role of reason in Enlightenment moral philosophy, including its relationship to emotions, morality, and decision-making.
Module #10 The Emergence of Utilitarianism Tracing the development of utilitarianism, including the contributions of Jeremy Bentham and the implications of the greatest happiness principle for ethics and morality.
Module #11 The Debate over Innate Ideas and Moral Knowledge Examining the debate between rationalists and empiricists over the nature of moral knowledge, including the role of innate ideas and sensory experience.
Module #12 The Relationship between Ethics and Politics in Enlightenment Thought Investigating how Enlightenment thinkers understood the relationship between ethics and politics, including debates about the role of the state, individual rights, and collective goods.
Module #13 The Challenge of Moral Relativism Analyzing the Enlightenment response to moral relativism, including the debate over cultural and moral diversity, and the implications for universal moral principles.
Module #14 The Problem of Moral Motivation Examining the Enlightenment response to the problem of moral motivation, including debates over self-interest, moral sentiment, and the role of education and habituation.
Module #15 Enlightenment Ethics and the Challenge of Morality in the Modern World Reflecting on the relevance and applicability of Enlightenment ethics to contemporary moral challenges, including globalization, technology, and environmental degradation.
Module #16 Enlightenment Feminist Thought and the Question of Womens Rights Exploring the contributions of Enlightenment feminist thinkers, including Mary Wollstonecraft and Olympe de Gouges, and their critiques of patriarchal societies.
Module #17 Enlightenment Philosophy and the Question of Slavery Analyzing the Enlightenments complex and often contradictory responses to slavery, including arguments for and against abolition, and the implications for moral philosophy.
Module #18 Enlightenment Ethics and the Rise of Modern Capitalism Investigating the relationship between Enlightenment ethics and the emergence of modern capitalism, including debates over economic inequality, labor, and the role of the state.
Module #19 Enlightenment Ethics and the Environment Examining the Enlightenments understanding of the human relationship with nature, including debates over natural rights, stewardship, and the moral status of non-human entities.
Module #20 Enlightenment Philosophy and the Challenge of Moral Progress Reflecting on the Enlightenments conception of moral progress, including debates over the possibility of moral improvement, the role of education, and the impact of cultural and historical context.
Module #21 Key Debates and Controversies in Enlightenment Ethics Analyzing key debates and controversies in Enlightenment ethics, including the debates over moral realism, moral skepticism, and the challenge of moral relativism.
Module #22 The Legacy of Enlightenment Ethics in Modern Moral Philosophy Examining the ongoing influence of Enlightenment ethics on modern moral philosophy, including its impact on contemporary debates in ethics, political philosophy, and moral psychology.
Module #23 Critiques of Enlightenment Ethics:Postmodernism, Critique of Reason, and Alternative Perspectives Investigating critiques of Enlightenment ethics from postmodern, critical theory, and alternative perspectives, including feminist, postcolonial, and indigenous critiques.
Module #24 Enlightenment Ethics in Context:Historical and Cultural Influences Exploring the historical and cultural context of Enlightenment ethics, including the impact of the Scientific Revolution, the Protestant Reformation, and the Enlightenments global dimensions.
Module #25 Enlightenment Ethics and the Challenge of Moral Pluralism Analyzing the Enlightenment response to moral pluralism, including debates over tolerance, pluralism, and the limits of moral disagreement.
Module #26 The Role of Emotions in Enlightenment Moral Philosophy Examining the role of emotions in Enlightenment moral philosophy, including the contributions of sentimentalists, rationalists, and the implications for moral judgment and decision-making.
Module #27 Enlightenment Ethics and the Problem of Moral Evil Investigating the Enlightenment response to moral evil, including debates over the nature of evil, theodicy, and the implications for moral philosophy.
Module #28 The Relationship between Enlightenment Ethics and Aesthetics Examining the connection between Enlightenment ethics and aesthetics, including debates over beauty, taste, and the relationship between moral and aesthetic judgment.
Module #29 Enlightenment Ethics and the Challenge of Moral Education Analyzing the Enlightenments approach to moral education, including debates over the role of education, habituation, and the development of moral character.
Module #30 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Ethics and Morality in Enlightenment Philosophy career
