PY408-5-SP-CO:
Ethics
2022/23
Philosophy
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
ReassessmentOnly
Monday 16 January 2023
Friday 24 March 2023
15
02 March 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA V5L5 Philosophy, Ethics and Sustainability,
BA V5L6 Philosophy, Ethics and Sustainability (Including Foundation Year),
BA V5L7 Philosophy, Ethics and Sustainability (Including Placement Year),
BA V5L8 Philosophy, Ethics and Sustainability (Including Year Abroad)
This module investigates one of the most influential modern theories of ethics, Kant's moral philosophy. While students may have had the chance to study some aspects of Kant's view before, this term will be devoted to examining its details and considering the most important criticisms lodged against it.
We will look at the philosophy of action and view of freedom that underpins the Kant's ethical outlook; at how he conceives of moral requirements; and at his strategies of justification as well as at the key objections to the Kantian ethical project from different critics. The main focus will be on a close reading of the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals [1785], but other texts by Kant will also be considered. We will also use his work as a springboard to discuss wider issues in ethics, like moral luck and feminist ethics of care.
The aims of this module are:
1. To introduce students to main problems of contemporary metaethics
2. To analyse the differences and connections between metaethics, normative ethics and other registers of moral thinking
3. To familiarise students with the main theories of metaethics, and to analyse their strenghts and weaknesses
4. To introduce students to the work of contemporary moral philosophers
5. To analyse the connections between metaethics and other areas of philosophy (such as epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language and moral psychology)
6. To evaluate the prospects and limits of metaethics as a mode of moral thinking
7. To assess the extent to which metaethics can account for certain crucial aspects of moral experience
By the end of the module students should also have acquired a set of transferable skills, and in particular be able to:
1. define the task in which they are engaged and exclude what is irrelevant;
2. seek and organise the most relevant discussions and sources of information;
3. process a large volume of diverse and sometimes conflicting arguments;
4. compare and evaluate different arguments and assess the limitations of their own position or procedure;
5. write and present verbally a succinct and precise account of positions, arguments, and their presuppositions and implications;
6. be sensitive to the positions of others and communicate their own views in ways that are accessible to them;
7. think 'laterally' and creatively - see interesting connections and possibilities and present these clearly rather than as vague hunches;
8. maintain intellectual flexibility and revise their own position if shown wrong;
9. think critically and constructively.
Incoming Study Abroad students must have already taken an introductory module in Philosophy at their home institution.
This is a module in ethical theory rather than practical ethics. That is, it takes up theoretical questions about the status and justification of morality rather than philosophical issues raised by practical moral problems.
1 x one-hour lecture each week followed by a one-hour class devoted to working together with assigned texts, plus 1 one-hour workshop on a wider theme. Week 21 is Reading Week
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Matteo Falomi, email: mfalomi@essex.ac.uk.
phiquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Josiah Saunders
Durham University
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 923 hours, 18 (2%) hours available to students:
905 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Philosophy
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