An Introduction to Metaethics

Code

PHIL2012

School

Philosophy

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

Are there moral facts? What is moral truth? Do psychopaths really understand moral language? These are just some of the questions we’ll be asking on this module. Metaethics isn’t anything like normative or applied ethics; rather it is about asking how ethics works. This means we’ll be thinking about, amongst other things, moral ontology, moral language, moral psychology and moral reasons. Introductory reading Andrew Fisher (2011) Metaethics: An Introduction (Routledge)

Target Students

Second year single honours and joint honours Philosophy students and exchange students. Also available to second year Liberal Arts students who have either done PHIL1012 or PHIL1013; or are doing PHIL1012 OR PHIL1013 (co-requisite). Also available to single honours Philosophy and joint honours Music and Philosophy students in their final year taking 20 credits of Level 2 modules.

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

• Reasoning, Argument, and Logic (PHIL1012)
• Mind, Knowledge, and Ethics (PHIL1013)

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 11 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks

37 hours in total: 33 hours lectures and seminars, plus 4 hours workshops

Assessment

• 50% Coursework 1: One 2000 word essay
• 50% Exam 1 (1-hour): One hour exam

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding.

By the end of this module you should be able to understand the main positions in contemporary metaethics.

B. Intellectual skills.

By the end of this module you should be able to analyse and evaluate rival views on these topics.

C. Transferable skills.

By the end of this module you should be able to express views on abstract issues clearly and concisely in writing.

Conveners

• Professor Andrew Fisher