Course Description
Readings from the history of philosophy (and religion, and law) on the nature and
source of the obligation created by a promise, if indeed a promise can create an
obligation. This will necessarily involve a certain amount of discussion of other
things. For example: special types of promise such as vows, oaths, and
contracts; virtues and/or duties that may be related to the obligation
of promises, meaning, for the most part, the virtues and/or duties of
justice and veracity (truthfulness); and, because promises are usually
(always?) expressed in language, general issues about the force and function of
language.
