PHIL 828 Contemporary Natural Law Thrs
The course will examine the ethical and meta-ethical (rather than legal/political) aspects of the so-called "new natural law theory." The first part of the course will present an overview of the theory, drawing from the writings of Germain Grisez, John Finnis, Joseph Boyle, and others. The remainder of the course, in dialogue with critics such as Ralph McInerny, Russell Hittinger and Kevin Flannery, will analyze in greater detail the elements of the new natural law account that have generated the most criticism. Topics to be considered in this latter part of the course include the incommensurability of basic human goods, the relationship between human nature and morality, and the first person perspective for determining the object of an action.
By the end of the course, students should have a clear, nuanced understanding of the new natural law theory and be in a position to assess the theory's adequacy in comparison with competing approaches to natural law and moral philosophy more generally. Through the critical study and analysis of the new natural law theory, students will also develop a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of ethics.