In a typical academic year I offer a so-called "semi" or "intensive research seminar" for 3rd year and 4th year undergraduate students and supervise their BA theses. The procedure in this course is somewhat similar to the tutorial style at universities in the UK. In a relatively small group, we look at key ideas in normative theory and meta-ethics, such as moral particularism and moral realism. I also try to provide a brief overview of Western ethics from Plato to Parfit by assigning selected passages from classical texts, such as the debate between Callicles and Socrates in the Gorgias, Aquinas's discussion of a practical law of nature in the Summa de Theologia, or John Mackie's rejection of moral realism in his Ethics.
In a typical academic year I offer a so-called "semi" or "intensive research seminar" for 3rd year and 4th year undergraduate students and supervise their BA theses. The procedure in this course is somewhat similar to the tutorial style at universities in the UK. In a relatively small group, we look at key ideas in normative theory and meta-ethics, such as moral particularism and moral realism. I also try to provide a brief overview of Western ethics from Plato to Parfit by assigning selected passages from classical texts, such as the debate between Callicles and Socrates in the Gorgias, Aquinas's discussion of a practical law of nature in the Summa de Theologia, or John Mackie's rejection of moral realism in his Ethics.
In addition to the "semi", there is usually also a graduate course on a selected topic in Kant's philosophy and there is the so-called Ethico-Metaphysical Colloquium ("EMC") in which graduate students, postdocs, and early career researchers can discuss their ongoing projects.
In addition to the "semi", there is usually also a graduate course on a selected topic in Kant's philosophy and there is the so-called Ethico-Metaphysical Colloquium ("EMC") in which graduate students, postdocs, and early career researchers can discuss their ongoing projects.
Finally, I regularly give an introductory lecture course on a topic in ethics and its history for 1st and 2nd year students, for example on Kant's Groundwork.
Finally, I regularly give an introductory lecture course on a topic in ethics and its history for 1st and 2nd year students, for example on Kant's Groundwork.
If you are interested in doing an MA or a PhD with me, please feel free to contact me at
If you are interested in doing an MA or a PhD with me, please feel free to contact me at
w.ertl(a)flet.keio.ac.jp