The course on ethics and cognitive sciences is part of the teaching activities of the curriculum in Scienze della Comunicazione. The course aims at introducing and discussing some basic notions of ethics, with particular reference to the contemporary debate and to the relationship between philosophy and the cognitive sciences.
The aim of the course is to provide students with the tools for understanding, analyzing and discussing philosophical and scientific texts on the course topics, learning to navigate the contemporary debate. By the end of the course, students are supposed to have acquired a basic knowledge of some of the main topics in the field of ethics and a more in-depth knowledge of selected topics, and to be able to efficiently navigate the relevant literature.
The aim of the course is to provide students with the tools for understanding, analyzing and discussing philosophical and scientific texts on the course topics, learning to navigate the contemporary debate. By the end of the course, students are supposed to have acquired a basic knowledge of some of the main topics in the field of ethics and a more in-depth knowledge of selected topics, and to be able to efficiently navigate the relevant literature.
teacher profile teaching materials
Students will acquire:
- Capacity to read an analyze texts
- Capacity to navigate the contemporary debate on the bases and mechanisms of moral cognition
- Capacity to orally present and defend theses
May, J. (2023). Neuroethics: Agency in the Age of Brain Science. Oxford University Press.
Mele, A. (2009). Effective Intentions: The Power of Conscious Will. Oxford University Press.
Programme
The course will present and discuss basic notions of neuroethics, an interdisciplinary research fields at the interplay between moral philosophy, moral psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. In particular, the course will focus on the topic of moral cognition, investigating the basis of moral reasoning, motivation, choice, and judgment.Students will acquire:
- Capacity to read an analyze texts
- Capacity to navigate the contemporary debate on the bases and mechanisms of moral cognition
- Capacity to orally present and defend theses
Core Documentation
THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TEXTS:May, J. (2023). Neuroethics: Agency in the Age of Brain Science. Oxford University Press.
Mele, A. (2009). Effective Intentions: The Power of Conscious Will. Oxford University Press.
Attendance
Attendance: Attendance to the course is strongly recommended, but not mandatory. Although active participation in the lectures is one of the primary tools for effective learning and gaining a deep understanding of the topics covered, students who may not be able to attend regularly will still have the opportunity to catch up on the content through the materials provided and by reading the texts listed in the syllabus. Attendance facilitates interactive discussion and direct engagement with the instructor and fellow students, which are important opportunities to enrich the learning experience.Type of evaluation
Oral Exam with the possibility of intermediate assessments on dates agreed upon with the instructor. The exam can be taken in Italian or English, at the student's choice. Evaluation Criteria: Understanding of key texts and concepts: Ability to analyze and discuss the main philosophical concepts covered in the course, demonstrating a solid understanding of the texts and their implications for cognitive sciences and ethics. Participation in discussions: Active involvement in class discussions, showing interest and the ability to critically reflect on the topics explored, particularly in relation to the intersection of ethics, cognitive sciences, and emerging technologies. Argumentation and coherence in responses: Ability to develop well-argued and coherent responses based on the texts studied, with a clear exposition of one’s ideas and the ability to relate philosophical arguments to contemporary issues in neuroscience and ethics. Capacity for synthesis: Evaluation of the ability to synthesize the main themes of the course during the oral exam, demonstrating a good understanding and critical analysis of the material, especially in relation to moral responsibility, free will, and the impact of new technologies.