PHIL 204(S) Relativism: A Thematic Introduction to Analytic Philosophy

Consider a Spanish conquistador observing Aztec human sacrifices, or a British governor contemplating the Indian practice of burning widows. Do these Europeans have a right to judge alien practices? (Note for further discussion: what does "right" mean here?) Is there a universal ethics, or is ethics like etiquette, where each society has its own rules, and "right" and "wrong" make sense only relative to cultures? Such questions belong to the debate on moral relativism. Are there radically different ways of perceiving reality? (Note for further discussion: what does "reality" mean here?) Is one system of thought superior to another, or are truth and falsehood only relative to incommensurable conceptual schemes? Such questions belong to the debate on cognitive relativism. This course will introduce analytic philosophy by seeing how contemporary analytic philosophers probe the questions of moral and cognitive relativism. The philosophers we will study include Quine, Davidson, and Williams. Philosophy 202 is an historical introduction to analytic philosophy, concentrating on the founders of the field; Philosophy 204 is a thematic introduction. Students are permitted (even encouraged) to take both 202 and 204. Requirements: short weekly papers and a longer final paper. Prerequisite: at least one previous course in philosophy.

Hour:  FLEISCHACKER