Ethics

PHIL60052 Ethics 15 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Ann Whittle Unit coordinator Philosophy 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 This course examines some of the most influential debates in moral philosophy by exploring how our reasons and values shape our actions, how our character is formed and how societies respond when people do wrong. The three themes build on one another to create a deep exploration of what it means to be a responsible moral agent. We will consider: <ul><li>The foundations of practical reasoning: what are reasons? What gives us reason to act? What is the relation between our reasons and what we value?</li><li>Character and responsibility: what is character? Can we be held responsible for the traits and dispositions that guide our behaviour? Is responsibility for character required for moral responsible actions?</li><li>Justifying punishment: Can punishment ever be justified? What is the relation between retribution and revenge?</li></ul> This course examines some of the most influential debates in moral philosophy by exploring how our reasons and values shape our actions, how our character is formed and how societies respond when people do wrong. The three themes build on one another to create a deep exploration of what it means to be a responsible moral agent. We will consider: <ul><li>The foundations of practical reasoning: what are reasons? What gives us reason to act? What is the relation between our reasons and what we value?</li><li>Character and responsibility: what is character? Can we be held responsible for the traits and dispositions that guide our behaviour? Is responsibility for character required for moral responsible actions?</li><li>Justifying punishment: Can punishment ever be justified? What is the relation between retribution and revenge?</li></ul> The unit aims to:<ul><li>Guide students' development in thinking philosophically about ethics;</li><li>Familiarise students with some important writings in contemporary philosophical ethics;</li><li>Enhance students' ability to present and discuss philosophical issues orally, and their ability to present philosophical ideas and arguments in written work.</li></ul> Students should be able to:<ul><li>Identify key issues in ethics;</li><li>Evaluate philosophical problems concerning matters of ethics;</li><li>Accurately analyse and employ the special concepts used in ethics, such as reason, responsibility and desert.</li></ul> Students should be able to:<ul><li>Construct detailed lines of argument relating to some philosophical problems.</li></ul> Students should be able to:<ul><li>Use research tools to effectively select resources in the preparation of assessments;</li><li>Clearly communicate ideas about ethics.</li></ul> Seminars (10 x 2 hours) Each seminar will be focused on a key text. The seminars will start with a short presentation by a student that summarises the key argument from the paper. The student will be asked to point out the strengths and weaknesses in the paper. Following the presentation there will be a short Q&A from the class. The rest of the seminar will comprise group discussion of the week’s reading and topic. This discussion will be facilitated by a set of questions given to the students each week. The seminar will be led by the course convenor, but the students will be encouraged to debate each other in a respectful manner.Where DASS advises, suitable alternatives to the presentation will be provided for the students in question, based on their specific needs.Questions A set of questions will accompany each week’s reading which will help students to read the text in a critical manner. Students will be asked to convey their answers in the seminars. These questions will be provided at least a week in advance.E-learning will be integrated throughout the module using digital tools and digital library resources.  0 Other 100% Essay (3000 words) 100% Feedback will be provided via Speedgrader in 15 working days. Y <ul><li><a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/reasons-internal-external/">https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/reasons-internal-external/</a><o:p></o:p></li><li><a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/moral-responsibility/">https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/moral-responsibility/</a><o:p></o:p></li><li><a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/legal-punishment/"><span style="font-family:"Microsoft Sans Serif",sans-serif;font-size:11.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-US;">https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/legal-punishment/</a></li></ul> Seminars 20 0 130