Human Nature and Ethics This course offers a historical introduction to different views of morality and human nature, and the relationship between them. We will cover the central figures of both the ancient and modern periods of philosophy and consider their answers to questions fundamental to our lives and the decisions we make.  We will consider the nature of the good life, happiness, and the virtues; whether or not a moral life is in our nature, and whether reason or emotions are the best guides to morality; and the nature of justice, and what role it plays for creatures like us.  The philosophers we will study include Aristotle, Hobbes, Butler, Mill, and Kant. 3 hrs lect.

Moral Psychology Moral psychology is the study of human behavior in the context of morality. How do we think about morality? How do we make moral judgments? How do we behave in moral situations? Answering these questions forces us to think deeply about the nature of our actions and the way we do and should evaluate them. In this course we will explore these questions and more. Specific topics covered may include  altruism and egoism, moral judgment, moral responsibility, practical deliberation, intentional action, virtue and vice, character, and moral development. Readings will be drawn from both philosophy and psychology.

Early Modern Philosophy This course offers an introduction to some of the most influential European philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries: Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. We will consider and critically examine the responses these thinkers gave to various questions in metaphysics and epistemology, including the following: What is the relationship between reality and our perception of reality? What is the nature of the mind and how is it related to the body? What is the nature of physical reality? Which of our beliefs, if any, do we have good reason to maintain in the face of radical skepticism? 3 hrs lect.

Theories of the Good What makes for a good person? What makes for a good society? What makes for a good piece of art? What makes for a good life? This introductory course will explore theories of the good within ethics, political philosophy, and aesthetics. Drawing on both historical and contemporary works, we will consider a diverse range of perspectives on what makes someone or something good.

The Philosophy of Happiness This is a course on the philosophy of happiness, well-being, and human flourishing. We will consider both the big questions about the nature of these states (for instance, “What is happiness?” and “Is it necessary for a worthwhile life?”) and the specific topics typically taken to be essential to these states, such as pleasure, life satisfaction, virtue, and agency. While working from a philosophical perspective, we will integrate psychological research from the field of “positive psychology” into our analyses. Our readings will draw on contemporary works by both philosophers and psychologists, and will include works by Haybron, Feldman, Csikszentmihalyi, Diener, and Seligman.

Lorraine Besser

Reviews and ratings for Lorraine Besser at Middlebury College.Lorraine Besser teaches Human Nature & Ethics, Moral Psychology, Early Modern Philosophy and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Lorraine Besser good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

I took this class in 25 fall which is now a 200 class. I love Professor Besser and she is very knowledgable in the field of moral philosophy. However the class contents are introductory level and class time is not enough to talk about the subject matters.

This course consisted of lots of long lectures based on some long readings. This course was very focused on the steps certain philosophers took to reach their views on certain topics. There wasn't too much work besides reading and a couple of essays.

Lorraine is a great teacher; I took one of her first-year seminars and I loved it. She is so accommodating and caring. She offers great feedback on writing, and with her class I became a much better writer, thinker, and philosopher. She is very passionate about what she teaches and if you just put in the effort into class and show you care everything works out great. 