Ethical Theory and Hard Choices
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce the contemporary discussion in moral philosophy. The first section will: a) provide a characterization of morality, as a distinctive form of normativity, as compared to law, aesthetics, and convention or etiquette; b) discuss the relationship and distinction of morality and religion and c) discuss the relationship of moral responsibility with the notion of free will. The second section will present the main normative theories of right action: a) the various forms of consequentialism (act- or rule-based), with their different attached theories of the good life (hedonism, desire-theory, objective-list theory); b) the different forms of deontological theories, both duty-based and rights-based; c) the main versions of either Aristotelian or agent-based virtue ethics. The third section will shortly present some theories on the nature of morality, such as expressivism, error theory, relativism, and some forms of moral realism.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students are expected to possess the basic general information on both the normative and the metaethical discussions in moral philosophy; they are expected to acquire the language for the discussion of normative problems both in theoretical and applied ethics; they should have acquired the capacity to collect, present and discuss existing literature on a chosen topic in contemporary discussion, to prepare a short paper for the exam.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
Section 1: The definition of morality
The idea of morality: moral norms vs. legal, aesthetic, and conventional norms
Moral judgment and the moral point of view
The relationship between religion and morality
Free will and moral responsibility
Section 2: The Status of Morality
Forms of moral subjectivism: metaethical and normative relativism, expressivism, error theory.
Forms of moral objectivism: naturalistic ethics, non-naturalistic moral realism.
Section 3: Normative theories
Forms of consequentialism: ethical egoism and utilitarianism
Act-consequentialism and rule-consequentialism
Theories of the good life: hedonism, desire theory, the 'objective list' theory
Deontological views in ethics: duty-based and rights-based theories
Theories of unconditional duties and theories of prima facie duties
Rights as side constraints: absolute and prima facie rights
The critique of 'modern morality' and Aristotelian views on virtue ethics
Agent-based vs. agent-focused virtue ethics
The idea of morality: moral norms vs. legal, aesthetic, and conventional norms
Moral judgment and the moral point of view
The relationship between religion and morality
Free will and moral responsibility
Section 2: The Status of Morality
Forms of moral subjectivism: metaethical and normative relativism, expressivism, error theory.
Forms of moral objectivism: naturalistic ethics, non-naturalistic moral realism.
Section 3: Normative theories
Forms of consequentialism: ethical egoism and utilitarianism
Act-consequentialism and rule-consequentialism
Theories of the good life: hedonism, desire theory, the 'objective list' theory
Deontological views in ethics: duty-based and rights-based theories
Theories of unconditional duties and theories of prima facie duties
Rights as side constraints: absolute and prima facie rights
The critique of 'modern morality' and Aristotelian views on virtue ethics
Agent-based vs. agent-focused virtue ethics
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites
Teaching methods
Lectures and discussions in class
Teaching Resources
- W. Frankena, Ethics, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs NJ 1973, chap. 1
- P.F. Strawson, Freedom and resentment, Proceedings of the British Academy, 48, 1962, pp. 187-211
- H.L.A. Hart, The Concept of Law, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1997, pp. 155-184
- J. Berg, How could ethics depend on religion?, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 525-533
- B. Eggleston, Act utilitarianism, in B. Eggleston, D. Miller (eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Utilitarianism, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2014, pp. 125-145
- B. Hooker, Rule-Consequentialism, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 428-440
- T. Nagel, The View from Nowhere, Oxford University Press, New York 1986, chap. IX, pp. 164-185; repr. in S. Darwall (ed.), Deontology, Blackwell, Oxford 2003, pp. 90-111.
- D. Ross, What makes right acts right?, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 756-762
- R. Hursthouse, Normative virtue ethics, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 645-652
- M. Slote, Agent-Based Virtue Ethics, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 653-663
- R. Shafer-Landau, Ethics as Philosophy : A Defense of Ethical Nonnaturalism, in Metaethics Afte Moore, ed. Horgan & Timmons, Oxofrd University Press 2006, pp. 209-232
- J. Mackie, The Subjectivity of Values, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 22-30
- D. Wong, Relativism, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 442-450
- P.F. Strawson, Freedom and resentment, Proceedings of the British Academy, 48, 1962, pp. 187-211
- H.L.A. Hart, The Concept of Law, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1997, pp. 155-184
- J. Berg, How could ethics depend on religion?, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 525-533
- B. Eggleston, Act utilitarianism, in B. Eggleston, D. Miller (eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Utilitarianism, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2014, pp. 125-145
- B. Hooker, Rule-Consequentialism, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 428-440
- T. Nagel, The View from Nowhere, Oxford University Press, New York 1986, chap. IX, pp. 164-185; repr. in S. Darwall (ed.), Deontology, Blackwell, Oxford 2003, pp. 90-111.
- D. Ross, What makes right acts right?, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 756-762
- R. Hursthouse, Normative virtue ethics, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 645-652
- M. Slote, Agent-Based Virtue Ethics, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 653-663
- R. Shafer-Landau, Ethics as Philosophy : A Defense of Ethical Nonnaturalism, in Metaethics Afte Moore, ed. Horgan & Timmons, Oxofrd University Press 2006, pp. 209-232
- J. Mackie, The Subjectivity of Values, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 22-30
- D. Wong, Relativism, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 442-450
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination will consist in filling in a questionnaire with 30 multiple-choice questions concerning the course topics and the articles in the syllabus. There will also be an open question that the candidate will have to answer, selecting it in a list of 5 questions. Each multiple choice question scores one point, the open question scores three points: one point if correctly answers the questions; 2 points if it adds critical reflections; 3 points in case the answer is particularly rich and thoughtful. Good scoring in the open question is vital to reach the highest mark.
PHIL-03/A - Moral Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Reichlin Massimo
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Reichlin Massimo