Ethics

Code

PHIL4035

School

Philosophy

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

This module will examine debates in ethics, construed broadly to cover issues in applied ethics, normative ethical theory and meta-ethics. The module may include detailed study of particular theories which aim to articulate and justify the nature and content of morality. The particular theories studied will be tailored to the ongoing research interests of the convenor(s).
Representative topics include (but are not limited to):

• The nature of moral obligations; the demandingness of moral obligations;
• the action-guidingness of ethics; ethics and decision procedures;
• the objects of ethical evaluation;
• moral principles such as the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing, and Double Effect;
• the nature and evaluability of moral emotions such as guilt and shame;
• theories of right action such as consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics and particularism;
• axiology;
• the value of nature;
• feminist ethics;
• the objectivity of ethics (realism and anti-realism);
• the nature and structure of moral concepts;
• applied ethical topics such as the ethics of abortion, euthanasia, vegetarianism and cloning.

The module aims to provide the opportunity for advanced study of contemporary debates in normative ethics, applied ethics and/or meta-ethics. In particular, it aims to enable students to familiarise themselves with debates in this area up to a level suitable as a basis for further research.
Representative authors include Dale Jamieson, Brad Hooker, Philippa Foot and Christine Korsgaard.

Target Students

MA Students in Philosophy.

Classes

• One 2-hour seminar each week for 11 weeks

Assessment

• 100% Coursework 1: 5,000 word essay

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of the theories and arguments of some of the major philosophers, encountered in their own writings.
• An awareness of some major issues currently at the frontiers of philosophical debate and research.
• Ability to analyse the structure of complex and controversial problems, with an understanding of major strategies of reasoning designed to resolve such problems.
• Ability to recognise the strengths and weaknesses of arguments on both sides of a philosophical question.
• Enhancement of the skills required to carry out research in philosophy.

Conveners

• Professor Neil Sinclair