The emerging field of behavioral genetics and the old debate about free will and determinism converge on the question of whether a person's genetic makeup might excuse certain wrongdoing. This class will give a non-specialist overview of both the scientific and the philosophical background and examine some of the arguments about the link between genetics and moral responsibility.

Through careful reading, seminar participation and developing their own original work, students will develop the four core philosophical skills of exegesis (the ability to understand and explain other views), thesis development (the ability to make a focused yet challenging point), argumentation (the ability to defend a view with good reasons), and style (the ability to do all the above with precision and clarity).