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Identical coursesEthics (B-KUL-W0W04A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contractAims
The main aim of this course is to familiarize students with the main traditions and problems that characterize the history of Western Ethics. At the end of the course:
- Students should be able to explain the main theories and positions discussed in the course.
- The student can give a clear and convincing oral summary of the main ethical theories.
- The student can, in a clear and convincing manner, verbally defend some arguments for and against a particular position.
- Students should be able compare different theories and positions and explain the relevant differences.
- Students should be able to ask questions, defend a position on an ethical issue, discuss these positions among each-other.
- The student can provide clear and concisely formulated contributions to a discussion in an appropriate manner.
- The student can listen to the arguments of fellow students and respond to them with arguments in a critical and respectful way.
- The student participates in the conversation and allows the others to speak adequately.
- Students should be able read, understand and explain original text fragments of the authors discussed and orientate themselves in an unfamiliar moral philosophical text, being able to pick out its main themes and arguments and situate it in the broader tradition of Western ethics.
- The student can reveal the structure and coherence of a philosophical text.
- The student can identify and analyze arguments and explain the text.
- The student can apply reading strategies to a philosophical text.
- The student is acquainted with different ways to approach a text (e.g. explicate philosophical and historical context, hermeneutical, deconstructive).
- The student is introduced to the rhetorical, stylistic and logical dimensions of a text.
Previous knowledge
Students should have
- some rudimentary knowledge of Western history,
- a capacity for abstract conceptual thinking,
- good knowledge of English,
- able to follow and take notes during the lectures, summarizing the most important issues.
Identical courses
This course is identical to the following courses:
W0EA2A : Introduction to Ethics (No longer offered this academic year)
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
6 ects. Ethics (B-KUL-W0W04a)
Content
Just as you better understand the nature of a person by knowing his or her history, so you will better understand how people behave morally by learning more about how moral practices and reasoning have evolved historicaly. This course will outline the development of ethical behavior and ethical thinking in the West in historical terms. That is, it will consider the major positions we inherit from the tradition of reflection on virtues, duties, moral justification, the nature of norms and values, beliefs about the relation between morality and religion, morality and culture, morality and society etc.
In 2024-2025, the reading seminar will be taught by Nicola Zetti.
Course material
The course text and a reader with texts will be made available via the course service (CuDi) of the student organisation (NFK).
Format: more information
The course consists of:
- lecture and discussion sessions (39 hours),
- reading seminars (13 hours: introduction of 1 hour + 6 x 2-hours seminars).
Students are encouraged to take notes and participate in discussions during the lecture sessions. For the reading seminars they need to read and make a written preparation of the texts that will be discussed in advance.
Is also included in other courses
Evaluation
Evaluation: Ethics (B-KUL-W2W04a)
Explanation
There will be an oral exam in the exam period (80% of final grade). This will be made up of questions covering the material we have dealt with in class, as well as texts assigned for reading.
The tutor will make an evaluation of the students’ preparation of the reading seminars by means of written contributions (20% of final grade).
Students only get a final grade for the course if they participated in all components of the exam. Otherwise the final grade will be ‘NA’ (not taken the exam).
Information about retaking exams
The oral exam can be retaken in the third examination period. Participation in the reading seminars will be replaced by a reading assignment, with questions on this assignment during the oral exam.