Foundations of Ethics
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the knowledge of fundamental theoretical points, vocabulary and the main argumentative processes of moral philosophy, as well as the knowledge of concepts and problems of one or more specific areas of philosophical and moral discussion, also in reference to the historical and cultural context.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Identify the fundamental theoretical points of the philosophical thought in the ethical field in its different forms and traditions
Present the main concepts and problems relevant to the status and method of moral Philosophy, Ethics and Theory of values
Exemplify the arguments found in both texts and works
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Use the main conceptual contributions of the philosophical thought in the ethical field
Analyze the reasons and arguments of the main philosophical contributions that have been tackled
Apply their knowledge of concepts and problems to the specific areas of moral philosophy
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Identify the fundamental theoretical points of the philosophical thought in the ethical field in its different forms and traditions
Present the main concepts and problems relevant to the status and method of moral Philosophy, Ethics and Theory of values
Exemplify the arguments found in both texts and works
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Use the main conceptual contributions of the philosophical thought in the ethical field
Analyze the reasons and arguments of the main philosophical contributions that have been tackled
Apply their knowledge of concepts and problems to the specific areas of moral philosophy
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
blended learning
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to introduce students to the three main areas of moral philosophy: metaethics (in particular theories such as emotivism, moral realism, moral relativism, cognitivism, moral psychology, etc.), normative ethics (for example, consequentialist, deontological, and virtue-ethics approaches, etc.) and applied ethics (topics such as abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, etc.)
Prerequisites for admission
Non si richiede alcun prerequisito, se non quelli specificati nel Regolamento didattico.
Teaching methods
The course is delivered through blended learning, structured as follows:
8 hours of in-person lectures
20 hours of synchronous online lectures via Teams
32 hours of asynchronous online lectures on the MyAriel platform
The 32 asynchronous hours on MyAriel constitute content-delivery teaching (DE — study materials, video lectures); the 8 in-person hours and the 20 synchronous hours on Teams constitute interactive teaching (DI — participatory lectures, online group activities, exercises, discussion of readings).
The course will include lectures, online group activities, exercises, and reading and discussion of articles and book excerpts relevant to the exam syllabus.
The detailed lesson plan and activity schedule will be published on MyAriel within one week of the start of the semester's lessons.
8 hours of in-person lectures
20 hours of synchronous online lectures via Teams
32 hours of asynchronous online lectures on the MyAriel platform
The 32 asynchronous hours on MyAriel constitute content-delivery teaching (DE — study materials, video lectures); the 8 in-person hours and the 20 synchronous hours on Teams constitute interactive teaching (DI — participatory lectures, online group activities, exercises, discussion of readings).
The course will include lectures, online group activities, exercises, and reading and discussion of articles and book excerpts relevant to the exam syllabus.
The detailed lesson plan and activity schedule will be published on MyAriel within one week of the start of the semester's lessons.
Teaching Resources
Course handouts provided by the lecturer, slides, recorded lecture videos.
Optional texts (choose one):
Rachels, J. and Rachels, S., 2012. The Elements of Moral Philosophy 7e. McGraw Hill (selected chapters) OR Jonathan Wolff, An Introduction to Moral Philosophy (New York: Norton, 2018) (selected chapters) OR Gianfranco Mormino, Storia della Filosofia Morale, Raffaello Cortina, 2020 (selected chapters) OR Sergio Filippo Magni, Bioetica, Carocci Editore, 2026 (selected chapters) OR De Caro, Magni, Vaccarezza, Le Sfide dell'Etica, Mondadori, 2025 (selected chapters)
Optional texts (choose one):
Rachels, J. and Rachels, S., 2012. The Elements of Moral Philosophy 7e. McGraw Hill (selected chapters) OR Jonathan Wolff, An Introduction to Moral Philosophy (New York: Norton, 2018) (selected chapters) OR Gianfranco Mormino, Storia della Filosofia Morale, Raffaello Cortina, 2020 (selected chapters) OR Sergio Filippo Magni, Bioetica, Carocci Editore, 2026 (selected chapters) OR De Caro, Magni, Vaccarezza, Le Sfide dell'Etica, Mondadori, 2025 (selected chapters)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment is based on an oral exam and a short written essay (intermediate assessment), which contribute additively to the final grade.
Duration/format: The essay (approximately 1,200 words) must be submitted before the oral exam, on a topic assigned by the lecturer. The oral exam lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Weighting: The essay contributes an additional 0 to 4 points, which are added to the grade obtained in the oral exam (out of 30). The final grade is the sum of the two scores.
Evaluation criteria:
Essay (0-4 points): relevance and understanding of the assigned topic; ability to exemplify arguments with reference to the course texts; clarity of presentation and coherence of argumentation.
Oral exam: 1) level of theoretical knowledge; 2) ability to apply general principles to specific cases; 3) ability to examine the topics covered during the course.
Grading scale (oral exam, out of 30): 18-22 basic descriptive knowledge of the core theoretical concepts; 23-26 ability to apply concepts to specific cases; 27-30 confident mastery and ability to critically examine the topics covered in the course. The essay score is added to this grade.
No notes or supporting materials are permitted for the oral exam. For the essay, free use of bibliographic sources is permitted, with proper citation.
Duration/format: The essay (approximately 1,200 words) must be submitted before the oral exam, on a topic assigned by the lecturer. The oral exam lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Weighting: The essay contributes an additional 0 to 4 points, which are added to the grade obtained in the oral exam (out of 30). The final grade is the sum of the two scores.
Evaluation criteria:
Essay (0-4 points): relevance and understanding of the assigned topic; ability to exemplify arguments with reference to the course texts; clarity of presentation and coherence of argumentation.
Oral exam: 1) level of theoretical knowledge; 2) ability to apply general principles to specific cases; 3) ability to examine the topics covered during the course.
Grading scale (oral exam, out of 30): 18-22 basic descriptive knowledge of the core theoretical concepts; 23-26 ability to apply concepts to specific cases; 27-30 confident mastery and ability to critically examine the topics covered in the course. The essay score is added to this grade.
No notes or supporting materials are permitted for the oral exam. For the essay, free use of bibliographic sources is permitted, with proper citation.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-03/A - Moral Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
PHIL-03/A - Moral Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Surname A-K
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-03/A - Moral Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
PHIL-03/A - Moral Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Surname L-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is focused on the ethical changes implied in the feminist theories
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the admission to the BA degree in Philosophy
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debates
Debates
Teaching Resources
V. Woolf, A room of one's own
Handout with different texts
G. Mormino, Storia della filosofia morale, Raffaello Cortina
Handout with different texts
G. Mormino, Storia della filosofia morale, Raffaello Cortina
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of an oral exam. The purpose of the oral exam will be to test the knowledge and skills acquired by students in light of the course topics. Evaluation criteria: 1) knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discussed during the course (exposition); 2) ability to exemplify concepts (understanding); 3) capacity of use and apply concepts (development); 4) use of language.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-03/A - Moral Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
PHIL-03/A - Moral Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
make an appointment via email
Online on Microsoft Teams or in my office