Is It Good to Be Good? An Introduction to Moral Anthropology
Eugene Lang College Lib Arts: Anthropology
CRN: 18096
Credits: 4
We often assume that moral behavior is inherently good. Cultural history abounds with efforts to better human beings, from education and philosophical reflection to religious practices and punishments. Recently, some transhumanists have advocated for genetic and psychopharmacological enhancements as new frontiers in moral enhancement. Yet, moralizing also drives societal divisions and fuels political polarization, particularly in pluralistic societies with diverse value systems. This tension raises the question: Is it actually good to be good? What is morality for? What role does it play in the lives of others and in our own lives? The course offers an introduction to moral anthropology through a combination of theoretical discussions and practical ethnographic fieldwork.
College: Eugene Lang College Lib Arts (LC)
Department: Anthropology (ANT)
Campus: New York City (GV)
Course Format: Seminar (R)
Modality: In-Person
Max Enrollment: 18
Add/Drop Deadline: September 9, 2025 (Tuesday)
Online Withdrawal Deadline: November 17, 2025 (Monday)
Seats Available: Yes
* Seats available but reserved for a specific population.
Status: Open*
* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 8:54pm EDT 4/15/2025