PHI524 Systematic Ethics: Themes from Velleman, Herman, and Langton
Fall 2006
Course Materials
The seminar will devote four weeks each to studying the work of three contemporary philosophers: David Velleman (NYU), Barbara Herman (UCLA), and Rae Langton (MIT). In the first three weeks we will study a selection of their previously or soon-to-be published work. In the fourth week they will visit and give a presentation. During their visit we will also have an opportunity over lunch and dinner to discuss the previously discussed work with them. All of the reading, which must be done prior to each seminar, will in due course be downloadable by clicking on the names of the papers below.

1. David Velleman I
Tuesday 19 September 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"Introduction" (forthcoming) to appear in a reissue of Practical Reflection (CSLI) and "The Story of Rational Action" (1997) reprinted in The Possibility of Practical Reason. (Note that "Introduction" replaces what was originally to be the first reading for the seminar: "The Centered Self" (2006) reprinted in Self to Self. If you've already read "The Centered Self," don't worry, as "Introduction" includes material from that.)

2. David Velleman II
Tuesday 26 September 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"The Possibility of Practical Reason" (1996) reprinted in The Possibility of Practical Reason and "Deciding How to Decide" (1997) (reprinted in The Possibility of Practical Reason).

3. David Velleman III
Tuesday 3 October 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"The Genesis of Shame" (2001) reprinted in Self to Self and "Don't Worry, Feel Guility" (2003) reprinted in Self to Self.

4. David Velleman visits
Tuesday 10 October 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"How We Get Along" (manuscript).

5. Barbara Herman I
Tuesday 17 October 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"Reasoning to Obligation", Inquiry (2006) and "The Will and its Objects" (manuscript).

6. Barbara Herman II
Tuesday 24 October 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"Obligatory Ends" (manuscript) and "The Scope of Moral Requirement", Philosophy and Public Affairs (2001).

Mid-term break

7. Barbara Herman III
Tuesday 7 November 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"Contingency in Obligation" (manuscript) and "Moral Improvisation" (manuscript)

8. Barbara Herman visits
Tuesday 14 November 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm

9. Rae Langton I
Tuesday 21 November 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"Duty and Desolation" in Philosophy (1992) and "Virtues of Resentment" in Utilitas (2001)

10. Rae Langton II
Tuesday 28 November 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"Objective and Unconditioned Value" in Philosophical Review (forthcoming)

11. Rae Langton III
Tuesday 5 December 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm
"Speech Acts and Unspeakable Acts" in Philosophy and Public Affairs (1993) and "Projection and Objectification" in The Future for Philosophy (2004)

12. Rae Langton visits
Tuesday 12 December 7:00 pm - 9:50 pm

Last updated Wednesday 13 September 2006