Philosophy 760 - Seminar in Ethics

What is rationality? We will be addressing this question by closely reading two (relatively) new books on the topic: John Broome's "Rationality Through Reasoning" and Benjamin Kiesewetter's "The Normativity of Rationality". Among the many questions we will consider and discuss are: what are normativity, rationality, and reasoning? Ought we to be rational and if so, why? Is there, and if so what is, the difference between theoretical and practical reasoning? What are reasons and what is the connection between reasons and rationality? Do normative beliefs motivate action, and if so how do they do so?

This seminar is going to be on moral responsibility. In particular, we will take a deep dive into some relatively recent arguments for an ignorance-based skepticism about moral responsibility. In particular, over the past 20 years or so, Gideon Rosen and Michael J. Zimmerman have vigorously defended an ignorance-based skepticism about moral responsibility (according to which most people in most circumstances are not morally responsible (morally blameworthy), at all, for what they do). These are some of the most interesting recent arguments for a skepticism about moral responsibility extant. We'll look very closely at their arguments (including the extensive discussion in Zimmerman's 2022 book on this topic), as well as responses to them that have emerged in the literature over the past 20 years. If time permits, and there is student interest, we might also look at other, perhaps more traditional, non-ignorance-based arguments for moral responsibility skepticism.