Moral Phenomenology

It is a new approach to moral philosophy that brings phenomenology to center stage. Until very recently, two great intellectual traditions – phenomenology and analytic philosophy – regarded each other with mistrust and hostility. Recently, philosophers across the divide have started to acknowledge the importance of the other tradition’s methods, recognized the extent to which they complement each other, and realized the benefits of working together. This course is a significant step in this process. It intends to clarify the meaning of “moral phenomenology”, and to consider whether the phenomenological method can be of any use to moral philosophy. It also looks at certain topics inspired or informed by phenomenology, which are gaining traction in philosophy of mind and cognitive sciences – empathy and interpersonal understanding, collective intentionality, shame, and the sharing of emotions – to see what they can contribute to moral phenomenology.

Applications are invited from doctoral students and junior faculty in philosophy departments working on questions of moral philosophy (ethics and meta-ethics), philosophy of mind, epistemology, and applied ethics.

Participants are expected to be familiar with ethics to the level of a graduate level introductory course. Preferably, they would also have basic notions about moral psychology and phenomenology.

Financial aid is available.