Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - PHIL 421 D100

Advanced Topics in Ethical Theory (4)

Metaethics

Class Number: 7465

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Nine upper division PHIL units. It is strongly recommended that students in PHIL 421 have taken prior courses in moral theory (e.g., PHIL 120W, PHIL 221, PHIL 270, PHIL 320, PHIL 321, PHIL 322, PHIL 326, or PHIL 329).

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in normative or meta-ethics. May be repeated for credit when taught under a different topic.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Metaethics

This course offers an advanced survey in metaethics. Instead of asking which actions are right or wrong, or what kinds of persons or states of affairs are good or bad, metaethics asks more fundamental questions about the nature of morality itself: Are moral claims true or false? What do they mean? Are there moral facts—and if so, what kind of facts are they? How does moral thinking motivate us? How could we come to know moral truths?

We begin by examining puzzles that arise from persistent moral disagreement and proceed to examine how various metaethical theories such as realism, expressivism, error theory, and constructivism respond to the following three central questions:

  1. What is the subject matter of ethics?
  2. How is moral knowledge possible?
  3. What explains the action-guiding nature of moral judgments?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different (even when it was 421W). 

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Identify and explain major theories and debates in contemporary metaethics
  • Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of positions such as realism, expressivism, and error theory
  • Understand how issues in philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, epistemology, and metaphysics bare on metaethical questions
  • Interpret and assess complex philosophical texts and arguments
  • Develop clear, well-supported philosophical arguments in both discussion and writing

Grading

  • Reading responses 20%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Paper proposal 10%
  • Final paper 40%
  • Participation 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Metaethics: A Contemporary Introduction, Mark van Roojen ISBN: 9781315697055

Other readings will be made freely available on Canvas or through the university library.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.