Moral Philosophy
A.Y. 2026/2027
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
Group 1
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to present Marx's philosophical reflections as a key to interpreting the socioeconomic transformation that defines Western modernity. Secondly, the course aims to examine, using an approach informed by both Marx and other authors, the historical process that uncovered the distinctive social, productive, cultural, and ethical forms that characterize the West from the second half of the 18th century to the present.
The first and second modules will explore the reflections of the young Marx, his philosophical-anthropological critique of capitalism, and, in light of Marx's analyses, will provide an interpretative key to the connection between modernity and the first Industrial Revolution. The third module will focus on specific developments in Marx's reflections related to the ideas of "human rights" and "materialism."
A plurality of authors who have engaged with Marx's reflections, from Karl Polanyi to Karl Menger, will be the subject of discussions that complement the examination of Marx's texts.
The first and second modules will explore the reflections of the young Marx, his philosophical-anthropological critique of capitalism, and, in light of Marx's analyses, will provide an interpretative key to the connection between modernity and the first Industrial Revolution. The third module will focus on specific developments in Marx's reflections related to the ideas of "human rights" and "materialism."
A plurality of authors who have engaged with Marx's reflections, from Karl Polanyi to Karl Menger, will be the subject of discussions that complement the examination of Marx's texts.
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:
1) Karl Marx, Manoscritti economico-filosofici del 1844, in Karl Marx, Opere filosofiche giovanili, trad. G. Della Volpe, Roma, Editori Riuniti 1977 (or later editions).
2) Karl Marx - Friedrich Engels, Manifesto del Partito Comunista, Editori Riuniti, Roma 1962 (or later editions).
3) Karl Marx - Friedrich Engels, "La concezione materialistica della storia" (Prefazione a L'ideologia tedesca), in La concezione materialistica della storia, a cura di N. Merker, Editori Riuniti, Roma 1986, o qualsiasi altra edizione.
4) Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale. Una filosofia della storia corrente, Meltemi, Milano, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
5) Karl Marx, Tesi su Feuerbach, Newton Compton, 2013, pp. 187-190 (or any alternative editions).
6) Karl Marx, Sulla questione ebraica, Milano, Bompiani, 2007 (or any alternative editions).
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Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1) Karl Marx, Manoscritti economico-filosofici del 1844, in Karl Marx, Opere filosofiche giovanili, trad. G. Della Volpe, Roma, Editori Riuniti 1977 (o edizioni successive).
2) Karl Marx - Friedrich Engels, Manifesto del Partito Comunista, Editori Riuniti, Roma 1962 (or later editions).
3) Karl Marx - Friedrich Engels, "La concezione materialistica della storia" (Prefazione a L'ideologia tedesca), in La concezione materialistica della storia, a cura di N. Merker, Editori Riuniti, Roma 1986, o qualsiasi altra edizione.
4) Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale. Una filosofia della storia corrente, Meltemi, Milano, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Karl Marx, Tesi su Feuerbach, Newton Compton, 2013, pp. 187-190 (or any alternative editions).
· Karl Marx, Sulla questione ebraica, Milano, Bompiani, 2007 (or any alternative editions).
· One of these two texts of your choice:
- Bedeschi, G., Introduzione a Marx, Bari, Laterza, 1981.
- Petrucciani, S., Marx, Roma, Carocci 2009.
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1) Karl Marx, Manoscritti economico-filosofici del 1844, in Karl Marx, Opere filosofiche giovanili, trad. G. Della Volpe, Roma, Editori Riuniti 1977 (or later editions).
2) Karl Marx - Friedrich Engels, Manifesto del Partito Comunista, Editori Riuniti, Roma 1962 (or later editions).
3) Karl Marx - Friedrich Engels, "La concezione materialistica della storia" (Prefazione a L'ideologia tedesca), in La concezione materialistica della storia, a cura di N. Merker, Editori Riuniti, Roma 1986, o qualsiasi altra edizione.
4) Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale. Una filosofia della storia corrente, Meltemi, Milano, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
5) Karl Marx, Tesi su Feuerbach, Newton Compton, 2013, pp. 187-190 (or any alternative editions).
6) Karl Marx, Sulla questione ebraica, Milano, Bompiani, 2007 (or any alternative editions).
---
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1) Karl Marx, Manoscritti economico-filosofici del 1844, in Karl Marx, Opere filosofiche giovanili, trad. G. Della Volpe, Roma, Editori Riuniti 1977 (o edizioni successive).
2) Karl Marx - Friedrich Engels, Manifesto del Partito Comunista, Editori Riuniti, Roma 1962 (or later editions).
3) Karl Marx - Friedrich Engels, "La concezione materialistica della storia" (Prefazione a L'ideologia tedesca), in La concezione materialistica della storia, a cura di N. Merker, Editori Riuniti, Roma 1986, o qualsiasi altra edizione.
4) Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale. Una filosofia della storia corrente, Meltemi, Milano, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Karl Marx, Tesi su Feuerbach, Newton Compton, 2013, pp. 187-190 (or any alternative editions).
· Karl Marx, Sulla questione ebraica, Milano, Bompiani, 2007 (or any alternative editions).
· One of these two texts of your choice:
- Bedeschi, G., Introduzione a Marx, Bari, Laterza, 1981.
- Petrucciani, S., Marx, Roma, Carocci 2009.
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.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Group 2
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The syllabus is shared with the following courses:
- [CAC-16](https://www.unimi.it/en/ugov/of/af20270000cac-16)
- [CAC-16](https://www.unimi.it/en/ugov/of/af20270000cac-16)
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)