Applied Ethics
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to enable the students to know and understand the differentiated forms in which the philosophical reflection on Ethics interlaces activities from the worlds of science, of technology, of work, of juridical and social relationships. To this end, it makes use of the analysis of specific cases and of the reading, commenting and criticizing of classical and contemporary writings of the discipline.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student:
- knows the main cases in which Ethics can become an instrument of understanding and controlling controversial situations;
- understands the methodological reflections concerning the problems of the application of Ethics to the real world;
- knows the topics taken as peculiar object in the monographic course.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student:
- can apply the philosophical lexicon to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems;
- can apply the knowledge acquired in the contextualization of concrete and ethical problems;
- can appropriately and clearly interpret ethical doctrines by relating them to specific cases in which they become an operative tool of regulation;
- can apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of specific cases.
At the end of the course, the student:
- knows the main cases in which Ethics can become an instrument of understanding and controlling controversial situations;
- understands the methodological reflections concerning the problems of the application of Ethics to the real world;
- knows the topics taken as peculiar object in the monographic course.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student:
- can apply the philosophical lexicon to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems;
- can apply the knowledge acquired in the contextualization of concrete and ethical problems;
- can appropriately and clearly interpret ethical doctrines by relating them to specific cases in which they become an operative tool of regulation;
- can apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of specific cases.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
During the ongoing covid emergency, the course syllabus will be maintained with the following changes made to enhance the effectiveness of the online version of the course, which was originally designed for face-to-face teaching.
Online environments used: Moodle (link not available yet)
MSTeams: code available on Moodle (not available yet)
Teaching methods:
classes will be held only remotely in synchronous mode (using MSTeams)
The calendar of in person lessons and updates will be published on the online course platform.
Learning assessment procedures and evaluation criteria:
The exam is oral and is held on MS Teams in any emergency situation, whether yellow, orange or red zone, in compliance with the guidelines provided by the University. The online course on Moodle will make available constantly updated details about the oral examination sessions that will be held over several days.
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-tecnologici-e-online/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/esami/esami-distanza-faq-gli-student
Online environments used: Moodle (link not available yet)
MSTeams: code available on Moodle (not available yet)
Teaching methods:
classes will be held only remotely in synchronous mode (using MSTeams)
The calendar of in person lessons and updates will be published on the online course platform.
Learning assessment procedures and evaluation criteria:
The exam is oral and is held on MS Teams in any emergency situation, whether yellow, orange or red zone, in compliance with the guidelines provided by the University. The online course on Moodle will make available constantly updated details about the oral examination sessions that will be held over several days.
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-tecnologici-e-online/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/esami/esami-distanza-faq-gli-student
Course syllabus
1)Fundamentals of Applied Ethics
The course will provide an introduction to the main approaches to applied ethics (consequentialism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics) as well as key methodological concepts in practical ethics (use of intuitions and the "reflective equilibrium" method). The fundamental principles of bioethics (justice, autonomy, benevolence, and non-maleficence) will also be introduced.
2)Main topics
The course will introduce the main topics in applied ethics, including those pertaining to the beginning and the end of life (abortion, euthanasia, assisted reproduction, genetic engineering on embryos, human enhancement) and animal ethics.
This course is available to undergraduate students ("laurea triennale") only in 2021. Students will be allowed to take the exam in applied ethics also in the following years, and they will be examined on this syllabus.
The course will provide an introduction to the main approaches to applied ethics (consequentialism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics) as well as key methodological concepts in practical ethics (use of intuitions and the "reflective equilibrium" method). The fundamental principles of bioethics (justice, autonomy, benevolence, and non-maleficence) will also be introduced.
2)Main topics
The course will introduce the main topics in applied ethics, including those pertaining to the beginning and the end of life (abortion, euthanasia, assisted reproduction, genetic engineering on embryos, human enhancement) and animal ethics.
This course is available to undergraduate students ("laurea triennale") only in 2021. Students will be allowed to take the exam in applied ethics also in the following years, and they will be examined on this syllabus.
Prerequisites for admission
No required knowledge
Teaching methods
Classes and seminars will be held online using Teams
Teaching Resources
Reading for students who attend the classes
Readings for both programmes with 6 CFU and 9 CFU:
M. Mori, Manuale di bioetica. Verso una civiltà secolarizzata, Le Lettere, Firenze, 2013.
Readings provided during the classes
One book of your choice from the following ones:
P.Singer, Ripensare la Vita, Il Saggiatore, 1996
S. Stewart Williams, La scimmia che ha capito l'universo, Espress, Torino, 2020.
C. Flamigni e M. Mori, Questa è la scienza, bellezze! La fecondazione assistita come nuovo modo di costruire le famiglie, Ananke, 2016
P.Singer, Liberazione animale. Il manifesto di un movimento diffuso in tutto il mondo, Il Saggiatore, 2009
M.Mori, Aborto e morale: Capire un nuovo diritto, ET saggi, 2008 oppure Massimo Reichlin, La Morale oltre il diritto, Carocci editore, 2007.
I.Persson e J. Savulescu,. Inadatti al futuro: L'esigenza di un potenziamento morale. Rosenberg & Sellier, 2019
P.Singer, Practical Ethics, Cambridge University Press, 1993 oppure James Rachels and Stuart Rachels, The elements of moral philosophy, Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1986
Extra readings for students in the 9CFU programme:
Students enrolled in the 9FU programme will choose two books from the ones suggested above
Programme for the students who do not attend the classes
Readings for both students enrolled in the 6 CFU and in the 9 CFU programmes
M. Mori, Manuale di bioetica. Verso una civiltà secolarizzata, Le Lettere, Firenze, 2013
P. Singer, Ripensare la Vita, Il Saggiatore, 1996 or S. Stewart Williams, La scimmia che ha capito l'universo, Espress, Torino, 2020.
One book of your choice from the following ones:
S. Stewart Williams, La scimmia che ha capito l'universo, Espress, Torino, 2020.
C. Flamigni e M. Mori, Questa è la scienza, bellezze! La fecondazione assistita come nuovo modo di costruire le famiglie, Ananke, 2016
P.Singer, Liberazione animale. Il manifesto di un movimento diffuso in tutto il mondo, Il Saggiatore, 2009
M.Mori, Aborto e morale: Capire un nuovo diritto, ET saggi, 2008
I.Persson e J. Savulescu,. Inadatti al futuro: L'esigenza di un potenziamento morale. Rosenberg & Sellier, 2019
P.Singer, Practical Ethics, Cambridge University Press, 1993 or instead J. Rachels and S. Rachels, The elements of moral philosophy, Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1986
Extra readings for the students in the 9CFU course:
The students enrolled in the 9 CFU programme who don't attend the classes will read two books of their choice among the ones suggested above
Readings for both programmes with 6 CFU and 9 CFU:
M. Mori, Manuale di bioetica. Verso una civiltà secolarizzata, Le Lettere, Firenze, 2013.
Readings provided during the classes
One book of your choice from the following ones:
P.Singer, Ripensare la Vita, Il Saggiatore, 1996
S. Stewart Williams, La scimmia che ha capito l'universo, Espress, Torino, 2020.
C. Flamigni e M. Mori, Questa è la scienza, bellezze! La fecondazione assistita come nuovo modo di costruire le famiglie, Ananke, 2016
P.Singer, Liberazione animale. Il manifesto di un movimento diffuso in tutto il mondo, Il Saggiatore, 2009
M.Mori, Aborto e morale: Capire un nuovo diritto, ET saggi, 2008 oppure Massimo Reichlin, La Morale oltre il diritto, Carocci editore, 2007.
I.Persson e J. Savulescu,. Inadatti al futuro: L'esigenza di un potenziamento morale. Rosenberg & Sellier, 2019
P.Singer, Practical Ethics, Cambridge University Press, 1993 oppure James Rachels and Stuart Rachels, The elements of moral philosophy, Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1986
Extra readings for students in the 9CFU programme:
Students enrolled in the 9FU programme will choose two books from the ones suggested above
Programme for the students who do not attend the classes
Readings for both students enrolled in the 6 CFU and in the 9 CFU programmes
M. Mori, Manuale di bioetica. Verso una civiltà secolarizzata, Le Lettere, Firenze, 2013
P. Singer, Ripensare la Vita, Il Saggiatore, 1996 or S. Stewart Williams, La scimmia che ha capito l'universo, Espress, Torino, 2020.
One book of your choice from the following ones:
S. Stewart Williams, La scimmia che ha capito l'universo, Espress, Torino, 2020.
C. Flamigni e M. Mori, Questa è la scienza, bellezze! La fecondazione assistita come nuovo modo di costruire le famiglie, Ananke, 2016
P.Singer, Liberazione animale. Il manifesto di un movimento diffuso in tutto il mondo, Il Saggiatore, 2009
M.Mori, Aborto e morale: Capire un nuovo diritto, ET saggi, 2008
I.Persson e J. Savulescu,. Inadatti al futuro: L'esigenza di un potenziamento morale. Rosenberg & Sellier, 2019
P.Singer, Practical Ethics, Cambridge University Press, 1993 or instead J. Rachels and S. Rachels, The elements of moral philosophy, Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1986
Extra readings for the students in the 9CFU course:
The students enrolled in the 9 CFU programme who don't attend the classes will read two books of their choice among the ones suggested above
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam
Short essay (max 2,000 words, on a topic among the ones suggested by the lecturer)
The assessments will address:
Level of theoretical knowledge
Capacity to apply general principles to specific cases
Capacity to critically examine the topics discussed during the classes
The essay will count for max 6 points out of 30. The students will be required to submit their essay before the end of the classes.
Short essay (max 2,000 words, on a topic among the ones suggested by the lecturer)
The assessments will address:
Level of theoretical knowledge
Capacity to apply general principles to specific cases
Capacity to critically examine the topics discussed during the classes
The essay will count for max 6 points out of 30. The students will be required to submit their essay before the end of the classes.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
make an appointment via email
Online on Microsoft Teams or in my office