Key Themes in Moral Philosophy. Choices, Responsibility, and the Good Life

Questions such as ?Does being good make you happy??, ?Can there be objectivity in moral judgement or is it all relative??, and ?Why be moral anyhow?? are not only central to human life but also to philosophical reflection. This module introduces some central problems of moral philosophy. Traditional moral theories will be introduced, critiqued and tested regarding their capacity to give answers not only to the questions mentioned above but also in relation to moral issues in society today such as 'animal ethics', ?environmental ethics? and ?euthanasia?.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
-Define moral philosophy and its key issues and place it among other branches of philosophy (e.g. metaphysics, logic, epistemology, philosophy of religion).
-Compare different notions of the good (such as, Aristotle?s concept of happiness, Kant?s categorical imperative and Mill?s principle of utility).
-Assess Nietzsche?s critique of the validity of moral values and standards.
-Discuss possible solutions to contemporary problems in moral philosophy such as 'animal ethics', 'environmental ethics' and 'euthanasia'.
-Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas introduced in the lectures in both oral and written form.

Teaching & Learning methods:
24 lecture hours (12 weeks x 2 lecture hours per week); 3 tutorial hours (x 15 tutorial groups); reading, reflection, discussion and writing.

Assessment:
Continuous Assessment detail(s): 5% = Attendance at Tutorials. 15% = Presentation 20% = Tutorial Essay-Assignment (c. 1,000 words) 60% = Final Essay-Assignment (c. 2,000 words).