Clarkie Catalog

PHIL220

THEORIES OF ETHICS

Clark Core VP Values Perspective
Department
Philosophy
Terms offered
26
Data refreshed
Sep 29, 2026

Description

Examines the principal ethical theories from the history of Western philosophy, including such philosophers as Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Hume, Kant, Mill, Ross and Rawls. Topics include: What is "the Good"? Are there fundamental standards of right conduct? Are moral judgments objective? Why should we be moral?

Syllabi

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Offerings and forecast 2016–2026

1995
2026
Sections by year and season
YearFallSpringSummerIntersession
2030 2030 Fall: 21% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 5 of 9 fall terms since 2018. Department course count falling about 4% per year. 2030 Spring: 24% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 9 spring terms since 2018. Department course count falling about 6% per year. Department faculty is about 14% below its recent average. 2030 Summer: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 summer terms since 2018. 2030 Intersession: 8% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 6 intersession terms since 2020.
2029 2029 Fall: 21% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 5 of 10 fall terms since 2017. Department course count falling about 3% per year. 2029 Spring: 27% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 4 of 10 spring terms since 2017. Department course count falling about 5% per year. Department faculty is about 14% below its recent average. 2029 Summer: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 summer terms since 2017. 2029 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017.
2028 2028 Fall: 22% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 5 of 11 fall terms since 2016. Department course count falling about 3% per year. 2028 Spring: 30% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 5 of 11 spring terms since 2016. Department course count falling about 4% per year. Department faculty is about 13% below its recent average. 2028 Summer: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 summer terms since 2016. 2028 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017.
2027 2027 Fall: 28% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 5 of 12 fall terms since 2015. 2027 Spring: 32% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 6 of 12 spring terms since 2015. Department course count falling about 3% per year. Department faculty is about 13% below its recent average. 2027 Summer: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 summer terms since 2015. 2027 Intersession: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017.
2026 Not offered 1 section Not offered No data
2025 Not offered 1 section Not offered Not offered
2024 Not offered 1 section Not offered Not offered
2023 Not offered Not offered Not offered Not offered
2022 1 section Not offered Not offered Not offered
2021 1 section Not offered Not offered Not offered
2020 1 section Not offered Not offered Not offered
2019 1 section Not offered Not offered No data
2018 1 section Not offered Not offered No data
2017 Not offered 1 section Not offered Not offered
2016 Not offered 1 section Not offered No data
Forecast Under 15% 15–39% 40–69% 70–89% 90%+ Not enough history
Fall Spring Summer Intersession More sections Not offered No data

Meeting times

Recent first
  • Mon, Wed, 12:00 PM–1:15 PM Philosophy House PHSEM 20262009
  • Tue, Thu, 4:15 PM–5:30 PM Sackler Science Center S223 2025201220112010
  • Mon, Thu, 2:50 PM–4:05 PM ONLINE 2020
  • Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:00 AM–11:50 AM ATW302 20192013
  • Tue, Fri, 1:25 PM–2:40 PM Philosophy House PHSEM 2007
  • Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:00 AM–11:50 AM Philosophy House PHSEM 2006
  • Tue, Thu, 10:25 AM–11:40 AM Philosophy House PHSEM 20051999
  • Tue, Thu, 1:15 PM–2:30 PM Philosophy House PHSEM 2002199719971995
Credit-bearing sections of PHIL220
TermProfessorTypeCreditsEnrollmentCRN
Spring 2026Jennifer K. GreeneLecture1 10 of 20 enrolled33072
Spring 2025Jennifer K. GreeneLecture1 20 of 20 enrolled33072
Spring 2024Arden AliLecture1 19 of 20 enrolled33072
Fall 2022Arden AliLecture1 13 of 20 enrolled20772
Fall 2021Arden AliLecture1 12 of 20 enrolled26607
Fall 2020Arden AliOnline1 20 of 20 enrolled26607
Fall 2019Wes W. DeMarcoLecture1 20 of 20 enrolled26607
Fall 2018Wes W. DeMarcoLecture1 13 of 32 enrolled26607
Spring 2017Wes W. DeMarcoLecture1 13 of 30 enrolled30193
Spring 2016Wes W. DeMarcoLecture1 19 of 20 enrolled30193
Spring 2015Judith W. DeCewLecture1 11 of 20 enrolled30193
Spring 2014Judith W. DeCewLecture1 17 of 20 enrolled30193
Spring 2013Wes W. DeMarcoLecture1 21 of 20 enrolled30193
Spring 2012Judith W. DeCewLecture1 19 of 25 enrolled30193
Spring 2011Judith W. DeCewLecture1 15 of 25 enrolled38504
Spring 2010Judith W. DeCewLecture1 16 of 20 enrolled36894
Spring 2009Wes W. DeMarcoLecture1 24 of 25 enrolled36894
Fall 2007Judith W. DeCewSeminar/Proseminar1 15 of 20 enrolled24061
Fall 2006Wes W. DeMarcoSeminar/Proseminar1 16 of 20 enrolled24061
Spring 2005Judith W. DeCewSeminar/Proseminar1 25 of 25 enrolled32330
Fall 2002Judith W. DeCewSeminar/Proseminar1 13 of 30 enrolled26495
Fall 1999Judith W. DeCewSeminar/Proseminar1 14 of 25 enrolled22309
Fall 1998Judith W. DeCewSeminar/Proseminar1 13 of 25 enrolled22309
Fall 1997Judith W. DeCewSeminar/Proseminar1 24 of 99 enrolled22309
Spring 1997Judith W. DeCewSeminar/Proseminar1 16 of 99 enrolled31689
Fall 1995Judith W. DeCewSeminar/Proseminar1 9 of 999 enrolled20356