How do we make difficult moral decisions: from empathy and concern, or impartial reason? How should we make moral decisions? Do justice and morality require that we give equal consideration to everyone in society? And what about concern for the lives and conditions of people outside one's country? Moral and political thinkers have always disagreed on the motives and considerations that should guide people's judgements. Nowhere is this disagreement more apparent than in political theory and practice. When considering whether a public policy is fair and just, some say we should consider only whether it contributes to the overall or public good. Others say we should pay attention to how a policy affects specific groups-or even how a policy or action affects those we love. This course examines these and other dilemmas in our moral and political reasoning and decision-making by examining both classic texts in moral and political theory and recent readings on concrete issues, such as abortion, the morality of public officials, refugee policy, and human rights. Format: seminar/discussion. Requirements: class participation, a weekly 1-page critical response piece, three written assignments of 5-8 pages (with mandatory drafts and rewrites), and final exam. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). Open only to first-year students; others with permission of instructor.