Applied Ethics
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to offer an introduction to the topics of applied ethics and in particular of those covered in the monographic part of the course. The course aims to make students understand the key concepts and the basic methodology of applied ethics, with the aim of developing their critical sense and their ability to think analytically and independently. To this end, it makes use of the analysis of specific cases and of the reading, commentary and critical evaluation of classical and contemporary material
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Students are expected to learn about the major moral paradigms most commonly used to address issues in applied ethics, such as consequentialist ethics, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics.
Knowledge of the major issues discussed in applied ethics, with a focus on the ones discussed in the monographic part of the course.
Understanding of the major methodological approaches to practical ethics, including use of intuition and of the reflective equilibrium method.
At the end of the course, students will have acquired critical thinking skills and in depth knowledge of certain topics.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding of the topics discussed during the course
Ability to read, understand and critically analyse a text in practical ethics.
Ability to read an applied ethics text, distinguishing the various arguments put forward by the author and placing them within a moral paradigm.
Ability to formulate hypothetical scenarios ("thought experiments") to test a moral intuition.
Ability to critically and autonomously analyse an ethical dilemma, including those not discussed during the course.
Ability to use empirical evidence from scientific disciplines in order to draw ethical conclusions.
At the end of the course the student will be able to apply philosophical vocabulary to the analysis and discussion of issues in practical ethics
Students are expected to learn about the major moral paradigms most commonly used to address issues in applied ethics, such as consequentialist ethics, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics.
Knowledge of the major issues discussed in applied ethics, with a focus on the ones discussed in the monographic part of the course.
Understanding of the major methodological approaches to practical ethics, including use of intuition and of the reflective equilibrium method.
At the end of the course, students will have acquired critical thinking skills and in depth knowledge of certain topics.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding of the topics discussed during the course
Ability to read, understand and critically analyse a text in practical ethics.
Ability to read an applied ethics text, distinguishing the various arguments put forward by the author and placing them within a moral paradigm.
Ability to formulate hypothetical scenarios ("thought experiments") to test a moral intuition.
Ability to critically and autonomously analyse an ethical dilemma, including those not discussed during the course.
Ability to use empirical evidence from scientific disciplines in order to draw ethical conclusions.
At the end of the course the student will be able to apply philosophical vocabulary to the analysis and discussion of issues in practical ethics
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
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.
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams or Zoom as well as students in the classroom. The recordings of the lessons will remain available for 24 hours.
Online environments used:
Ariel: https://vtripodiea.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
(Unit 1 and 2; Prof. Vera Tripodi) Teams: keycode 0plgzcu
(Unit 3; Prof. Carmine Di Martino) Zoom:
https://work.unimi.it/servizi_insegna/614.htm
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams (Zoom) lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams or Zoom as well as students in the classroom. The recordings of the lessons will remain available for 24 hours.
Online environments used:
Ariel: https://vtripodiea.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
(Unit 1 and 2; Prof. Vera Tripodi) Teams: keycode 0plgzcu
(Unit 3; Prof. Carmine Di Martino) Zoom:
https://work.unimi.it/servizi_insegna/614.htm
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams (Zoom) lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
Course syllabus
The course aims to introduce students to the reflection on the main moral issues related to technology. During the classes, attention will be placed on the following questions: why is technology the object of ethics? what is the contribution that ethics can make to the design of the future and technological innovation?
The course is articulated in three unities. The first unity introduces to the basic notions and paradigmatic conceptions of the main ethical theories (consequentialism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics), the main topics in applied ethics, including those pertaining to the beginning and the end of life, human enhancement, cloning; the fundamental principles of bioethics (justice, autonomy, benevolence, and non-maleficence). In the second part, ethical issues concerning specific cases drawn from ethics of technology are addressed with particular reference to the redesign of human nature through the use of new bio-technologies; the production of robots capable of carrying out human activities; the issue of big data and privacy. Finally, the third unit deals with the relationship between technological research and the questions of limits and responsibility: what is technically feasible is also mandatory? can limits be placed on the possible (on the feasible)?
The course is articulated in three unities. The first unity introduces to the basic notions and paradigmatic conceptions of the main ethical theories (consequentialism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics), the main topics in applied ethics, including those pertaining to the beginning and the end of life, human enhancement, cloning; the fundamental principles of bioethics (justice, autonomy, benevolence, and non-maleficence). In the second part, ethical issues concerning specific cases drawn from ethics of technology are addressed with particular reference to the redesign of human nature through the use of new bio-technologies; the production of robots capable of carrying out human activities; the issue of big data and privacy. Finally, the third unit deals with the relationship between technological research and the questions of limits and responsibility: what is technically feasible is also mandatory? can limits be placed on the possible (on the feasible)?
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites.
Teaching methods
Lectures and discussion with students.
Teaching Resources
Part in common program 6 and 9 credits:
1) Philippa Foot, "Eutanasia", in G. Ferranti e S. Maffettone (a cura di), "Introduzione alla bioetica", Liguori, Napoli 1992, pp. 81-111.
2) Hans Jonas, "Perchè la tecnica moderna è oggetto dell'etica", in "Tecnica, medicina ed etica. Prassi del Principio Responsabilità", Torino, Einaudi, 1997, pp.28-36 (chapter 2).
3) John Stuart Mill, "Saggio sulla libertà", Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2014 [pp. 19-33].
4) Maurizio Mori, "Manuale di bioetica. Verso una civiltà secolarizzata", Le Lettere, Firenze, 2013 [selected chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 e 9; pp. 11-268 and pp. 302-356].
5) Judith Jarvis Thomson, "Una difesa dell'aborto", in G. Ferranti e S. Maffettone (a cura di), "Introduzione alla bioetica", Liguori, Napoli 1992, pp. 3-24.
Additional part for the 9 cfu program:
1) Vera Tripodi, "Etica delle tecniche. Una filosofia per progettare il futuro", Mondadori, Milano 2020.
2) Martin Heidegger, "La questione della tecnica", in "Saggi e discorsi", Mursia, Milano 1976, pp. 5-27.
Programme for the students who do not attend the classes
The students enrolled in the 6 or 9 CFU programme who don't attend the classes will read two books of their choice among the ones suggested above:
1) Paul Dumouchel - Luisa Damiano, "Vivere con i robot. Saggio sull'empatia artificiale", Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano 2019.
2) Ingmar Persson - Julian Savulescu, "Inadatti al futuro: l'esigenza di un potenziamento morale", Rosenberg & Sellier, 2019.
3) Gugliemo Tamburrini, "Etica delle macchine. Dilemmi morali per robotica e intelligenza artificiale", Carocci 2020.
4) Carmine Di Martino, "Viventi umani e non umani. Tecnica, linguaggio, memoria", Cortina, Milano 2017.
1) Philippa Foot, "Eutanasia", in G. Ferranti e S. Maffettone (a cura di), "Introduzione alla bioetica", Liguori, Napoli 1992, pp. 81-111.
2) Hans Jonas, "Perchè la tecnica moderna è oggetto dell'etica", in "Tecnica, medicina ed etica. Prassi del Principio Responsabilità", Torino, Einaudi, 1997, pp.28-36 (chapter 2).
3) John Stuart Mill, "Saggio sulla libertà", Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2014 [pp. 19-33].
4) Maurizio Mori, "Manuale di bioetica. Verso una civiltà secolarizzata", Le Lettere, Firenze, 2013 [selected chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 e 9; pp. 11-268 and pp. 302-356].
5) Judith Jarvis Thomson, "Una difesa dell'aborto", in G. Ferranti e S. Maffettone (a cura di), "Introduzione alla bioetica", Liguori, Napoli 1992, pp. 3-24.
Additional part for the 9 cfu program:
1) Vera Tripodi, "Etica delle tecniche. Una filosofia per progettare il futuro", Mondadori, Milano 2020.
2) Martin Heidegger, "La questione della tecnica", in "Saggi e discorsi", Mursia, Milano 1976, pp. 5-27.
Programme for the students who do not attend the classes
The students enrolled in the 6 or 9 CFU programme who don't attend the classes will read two books of their choice among the ones suggested above:
1) Paul Dumouchel - Luisa Damiano, "Vivere con i robot. Saggio sull'empatia artificiale", Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano 2019.
2) Ingmar Persson - Julian Savulescu, "Inadatti al futuro: l'esigenza di un potenziamento morale", Rosenberg & Sellier, 2019.
3) Gugliemo Tamburrini, "Etica delle macchine. Dilemmi morali per robotica e intelligenza artificiale", Carocci 2020.
4) Carmine Di Martino, "Viventi umani e non umani. Tecnica, linguaggio, memoria", Cortina, Milano 2017.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam. The exam is an oral discussion on the topics and the readings listed in the program. The assessments will address: 1) level of theoretical knowledge; 2) capacity to apply general principles to specific cases; 3) capacity to critically examine the topics discussed during the classes.
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Tripodi Vera
Unita' didattica
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Tripodi Vera
Unita' didattica
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Di Martino Carmine
Professor(s)