Moral Philosophy
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with some groundwork of moral philosophy, with special reference to foundational issues concerning the theory of value and applications in the areas of philosophy of history, bioethics and political philosophy.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student is expected to:
- . knows the theoretical fundamentals of moral philosophy;
- knows the most significant ethical and value issues in their historical evolution
- know the core concepts, and the technical terms involved in the contemporary debate on the issues examined during the course;
- have a clear and critical understanding of the moral and axiological questions raised during the course, with special reference to the following theoretical oppositions: individualism and collectivism, freedom and justice, tradition and reason, deontology and utilitarianism, rights and duties.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student is further expected to:
- be able to apply the knowledge and the conceptual tools in moral philosophy that have been provided to him/her.
- be able to provide a critical and informed approach to some of the main themes debated in moral philosophy.
- be able to read and to successfully interpret philosophical sources in the field of moral and political philosophy.
- can frame the key authors of ethical and value-related debates and related themes in a historical perspective
At the end of the course the student is expected to:
- . knows the theoretical fundamentals of moral philosophy;
- knows the most significant ethical and value issues in their historical evolution
- know the core concepts, and the technical terms involved in the contemporary debate on the issues examined during the course;
- have a clear and critical understanding of the moral and axiological questions raised during the course, with special reference to the following theoretical oppositions: individualism and collectivism, freedom and justice, tradition and reason, deontology and utilitarianism, rights and duties.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student is further expected to:
- be able to apply the knowledge and the conceptual tools in moral philosophy that have been provided to him/her.
- be able to provide a critical and informed approach to some of the main themes debated in moral philosophy.
- be able to read and to successfully interpret philosophical sources in the field of moral and political philosophy.
- can frame the key authors of ethical and value-related debates and related themes in a historical perspective
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021 / 2022 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
A critical introduction to contemporary ethics
The course aims to present the two main currents of contemporary moral philosophy, Kantian deontology and utilitarianism, from three perspectives. First of all, we intend to illustrate the two mentioned theories in a purely historical-philosophical perspective, by analyzing their grounding works. Secondly, we want to carry out an immanent critique of the two theories, showing their limits and blind spots by focusing on internal inadequacies. Thirdly, we will try to provide a meta-critic of the two theories, now seen as a complementary and apparently exhaustive ethical dyad, which plays a disguised role of ideological hegemony on the contemporary stage.
The course aims to present the two main currents of contemporary moral philosophy, Kantian deontology and utilitarianism, from three perspectives. First of all, we intend to illustrate the two mentioned theories in a purely historical-philosophical perspective, by analyzing their grounding works. Secondly, we want to carry out an immanent critique of the two theories, showing their limits and blind spots by focusing on internal inadequacies. Thirdly, we will try to provide a meta-critic of the two theories, now seen as a complementary and apparently exhaustive ethical dyad, which plays a disguised role of ideological hegemony on the contemporary stage.
Prerequisites for admission
The students are required to have a basic knowledge of the history of philosophy (at the level provided by an Italian High School/Liceo), and a basic knowledge of modern and contemporary history.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Kant, I., Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, edited by F. Gonnelli, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2005.
· Mill, J. S., "Utilitarismo", in La libertà. L'utilitarismo. L'asservimento delle donne, Milano, BUR, 1999.
· Bentham, J., Un'introduzione ai principi della morale e della legislazione, Chapters I-V, Torino, Utet 1998.
(Other editions in Italian are acceptable, if easier to find)
Zhok, A., Il dovere e il piacere. Un'introduzione critica all'etica contemporanea, Mimesis, Milano, 2021.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One of the two volumes of your choice:
· Kant, I., Critica della ragion pratica, edited by F. Capra, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2006.
or
· Reichlin, M., L'utilitarismo, Bologna, Mulino, 2013.
---
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Kant, I., Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, edited by F. Gonnelli, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2005.
· Mill, J. S., "Utilitarismo", in La libertà. L'utilitarismo. L'asservimento delle donne, Milano, BUR, 1999.
· Bentham, J., Un'introduzione ai principi della morale e della legislazione, Chapters I-V, Torino, Utet 1998.
(Other editions in Italian are acceptable, if easier to find)
Zhok, A., Il dovere e il piacere. Un'introduzione critica all'etica contemporanea,
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Kant, I., Critica della ragion pratica, edited by F. Capra, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2006.
+
· Reichlin, M., L'utilitarismo, Bologna, Mulino, 2013.
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Kant, I., Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, edited by F. Gonnelli, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2005.
· Mill, J. S., "Utilitarismo", in La libertà. L'utilitarismo. L'asservimento delle donne, Milano, BUR, 1999.
· Bentham, J., Un'introduzione ai principi della morale e della legislazione, Chapters I-V, Torino, Utet 1998.
(Other editions in Italian are acceptable, if easier to find)
Zhok, A., Il dovere e il piacere. Un'introduzione critica all'etica contemporanea, Mimesis, Milano, 2021.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One of the two volumes of your choice:
· Kant, I., Critica della ragion pratica, edited by F. Capra, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2006.
or
· Reichlin, M., L'utilitarismo, Bologna, Mulino, 2013.
---
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Kant, I., Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, edited by F. Gonnelli, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2005.
· Mill, J. S., "Utilitarismo", in La libertà. L'utilitarismo. L'asservimento delle donne, Milano, BUR, 1999.
· Bentham, J., Un'introduzione ai principi della morale e della legislazione, Chapters I-V, Torino, Utet 1998.
(Other editions in Italian are acceptable, if easier to find)
Zhok, A., Il dovere e il piacere. Un'introduzione critica all'etica contemporanea,
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Kant, I., Critica della ragion pratica, edited by F. Capra, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2006.
+
· Reichlin, M., L'utilitarismo, Bologna, Mulino, 2013.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test on the topics discussed during the course. The general criteria for evaluating the exam are: 1) the correctness of the answers (adequacy of the contents), 2) the ability to synthesize the essential conceptual issues, 3) the comprehensiveness and richness of the answers, 4) the expressive quality (terminological appropriateness, fluency, precision), and 5) the critical capacity of the student.
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)