FRESHMAN SEMINAR IN PHILOSOPHY: RELATIVISM
PHIL 150W, Sec. 01: TTh 9:30am-10:50am in Blair 142
PHIL 150W, Sec. 02: TTh 11am-12:20pm in Blair 142
The College of William and Mary
Spring 2003
Instructor: James Woodbridge
email address: jawoo2@wm.edu
Course Webpage: http://fsweb.wm.edu/jawoo2/wm/150w.htm
Office Hours: T 3:30pm-5pm, W 10:30am-12pm, and by appointment
Office: 126 Blair Hall
Office Phone: 221-2713
Dept. Phone: 221-2735
RESPONSE ESSAY 9
In "Fear of Relativism," Thomas Scanlon discusses what he takes to be the possible reasons for fearing or resisting moral relativism (MR, pp. 147-152).
Write a 2-page paper reacting to this material.
Aim to do the following sorts of things:
- In your own words, explain as clearly as you can the reasons Scanlon considers.
- Explain the reasoning involved--How are the points Scanlon offers supposed to make moral relativism seem like a threat?
- Evaluate the reasoning--Do you think these considerations do show moral relativism to be something we should fear and resist? Explain
why or why not. Is there any reply a moral relativist could make to render relativism harmless?
- Identify further questions that can be raised about moral relativism in light of your examination of the reasons offered for fearing this position.
Keep your paper within the 2-page limit!
Your paper is due at the beginning of class, Tuesday, April 15th.