Moral Philosophy
A.Y. 2025/2026
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: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
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
A
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Course title: The development of liberal modernity in the 20th Century in light of the processes of industrialization and technologization
· The course aims to present the development of the leading ideologies in the modern Western world in the light of the processes of industrialization and technologization of society. Particular attention will be paid to these developments in the post-war period, to the comparison between the liberal perspective and the criticisms of it in a Marxist and psychoanalytic key, coming from the Frankfurt School.
· The course is open to all students of the degree course in Philosophy, for the number of ECTS planned by the relevant curricula.
· The course aims to present the development of the leading ideologies in the modern Western world in the light of the processes of industrialization and technologization of society. Particular attention will be paid to these developments in the post-war period, to the comparison between the liberal perspective and the criticisms of it in a Marxist and psychoanalytic key, coming from the Frankfurt School.
· The course is open to all students of the degree course in Philosophy, for the number of ECTS planned by the relevant curricula.
Prerequisites for admission
Students are required to have a basic philosophical knowledge, at a high school level, and equally a high school 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:
· Marcuse, H., L'uomo a una dimensione. Studi sull'ideologia della società industriale avanzata, Einaudi, Torino, 1991, (I. ed. 1964) - The text can be studied in the original version or in Italian translation, in any available edition.
· Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale. Una filosofia della storia corrente, Meltemi, Milano, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Horkheimer, M., L'eclissi della ragione. Critica della ragione strumentale, Torino, Einaudi 1969 [Eclipse of Reason, 1947 Oxford University Press] - The text can be studied in the original version or Italian translation, in any available edition.
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Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Marcuse, H. L'uomo a una dimensione. Studi sull'ideologia della società industriale avanzata, Einaudi, Torino, 1991, (I. ed. 1964) - The text can be studied in the original version or in Italian translation, in any available edition.
· Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale. Una filosofia della storia corrente, Meltemi, Milano, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Horkheimer, M., L'eclissi della ragione. Critica della ragione strumentale, Torino, Einaudi 1969 [Eclipse of Reason, 1947 Oxford University Press] - The text can be studied in the original version or Italian translation, in any available edition.
· One of the following texts to choose from:
- Wiggershaus, Rolf, La scuola di Francoforte, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino, 1992 [The Frankfurt School. Its History; Theories, and Political Significance, Mit Press, Cambridge Mass., 1994]
- Petrucciani, S., La scuola di Francoforte. Storia e attualità, Carocci, Roma 2023.
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Marcuse, H., L'uomo a una dimensione. Studi sull'ideologia della società industriale avanzata, Einaudi, Torino, 1991, (I. ed. 1964) - The text can be studied in the original version or in Italian translation, in any available edition.
· Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale. Una filosofia della storia corrente, Meltemi, Milano, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Horkheimer, M., L'eclissi della ragione. Critica della ragione strumentale, Torino, Einaudi 1969 [Eclipse of Reason, 1947 Oxford University Press] - The text can be studied in the original version or Italian translation, in any available edition.
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Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Marcuse, H. L'uomo a una dimensione. Studi sull'ideologia della società industriale avanzata, Einaudi, Torino, 1991, (I. ed. 1964) - The text can be studied in the original version or in Italian translation, in any available edition.
· Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale. Una filosofia della storia corrente, Meltemi, Milano, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Horkheimer, M., L'eclissi della ragione. Critica della ragione strumentale, Torino, Einaudi 1969 [Eclipse of Reason, 1947 Oxford University Press] - The text can be studied in the original version or Italian translation, in any available edition.
· One of the following texts to choose from:
- Wiggershaus, Rolf, La scuola di Francoforte, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino, 1992 [The Frankfurt School. Its History; Theories, and Political Significance, Mit Press, Cambridge Mass., 1994]
- Petrucciani, S., La scuola di Francoforte. Storia e attualità, Carocci, Roma 2023.
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
B
Lesson period
Second semester
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)