The course on Questions of Moral Philosophy is part of the program in Philosophical Sciences (MA level) and is included among the complementary training activities. The goal of the course is to provide an in-depth understanding of some aspects of moral philosophy. Students will read moral philosophy texts and acquire an in-depth understanding of the related issues and debates. Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to discuss and develop arguments both in a philosophical and historical framework. By the end of the course, students are supposed to have acquired the following skills: (1) advanced critical thinking and ability to contextualize the themes discussed during the course; (2) advanced language and argumentation skills in relation to the topics discussed during the course; (3) capacity to read and analyse philosophical sources and the relevant critical debate.
teacher profile teaching materials
Among the themes that will be discussed: free will and moral responsibility, moral luck, objectivism and relativism of morals, normativity, end of life issues. The goal of the course is that students learn to easily navigate the contemporary debate in moral philosophy, gaining an in-depth knowledge of some of its most important topics and methods.
FOR STUDENTS WHO ATTEND THE COURSE, THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TEXTS:
1. J. Wolff (2020), An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, W. W. Norton & Company (only the parts indicated by the instructor)
2. H. Frankfurt (1969), "Alternate Possibilities and Moral Responsibility", The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 66, No. 23 (Dec. 4, 1969), pp. 829-839
https://doi.org/10.2307/2023833
3. T. Nagel (1979), "Moral luck", available in Nagel, Thomas, 1979, Mortal Questions, New York: Cambridge University Press
4. P. Foot, "The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of the Double Effect" in Virtues and Vices (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1978) (originally appeared in the Oxford Review, Number 5, 1967.)
Written exam, please check "Moodle-Annunci" for info and get in touch with the instructor in case of doubts
FOR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT ATTEND THE COURSE, THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TEXTS:
1. J. Wolff (2020), An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, W. W. Norton & Company.
2. H. Frankfurt (1969), "Alternate Possibilities and Moral Responsibility", The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 66, No. 23 (Dec. 4, 1969), pp. 829-839
3. T. Nagel (1979), "Moral luck", available in Nagel, Thomas, 1979, Mortal Questions, New York: Cambridge University Press
4. P. Foot, "The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of the Double Effect" in Virtues and Vices (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1978) (originally appeared in the Oxford Review, Number 5, 1967.)
Programme
The course will present and discuss some fundamental questions of contemporary moral philosophy. The course is divided into four parts, respectively focusing on themes in (1) moral psychology (investigating how people make moral decisions and judgments); (2) ethics (investigating what ought to be done from a moral point of view); applied ethics (investigating how general moral principles ought to be applied to specific areas of practical life); (4) metaethics (investigating the nature and meaning of moral belies and values).Among the themes that will be discussed: free will and moral responsibility, moral luck, objectivism and relativism of morals, normativity, end of life issues. The goal of the course is that students learn to easily navigate the contemporary debate in moral philosophy, gaining an in-depth knowledge of some of its most important topics and methods.
Core Documentation
Written exam, please check "Moodle-Annunci" for info and get in touch with the instructor in case of doubtsFOR STUDENTS WHO ATTEND THE COURSE, THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TEXTS:
1. J. Wolff (2020), An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, W. W. Norton & Company (only the parts indicated by the instructor)
2. H. Frankfurt (1969), "Alternate Possibilities and Moral Responsibility", The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 66, No. 23 (Dec. 4, 1969), pp. 829-839
https://doi.org/10.2307/2023833
3. T. Nagel (1979), "Moral luck", available in Nagel, Thomas, 1979, Mortal Questions, New York: Cambridge University Press
4. P. Foot, "The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of the Double Effect" in Virtues and Vices (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1978) (originally appeared in the Oxford Review, Number 5, 1967.)
Written exam, please check "Moodle-Annunci" for info and get in touch with the instructor in case of doubts
FOR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT ATTEND THE COURSE, THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TEXTS:
1. J. Wolff (2020), An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, W. W. Norton & Company.
2. H. Frankfurt (1969), "Alternate Possibilities and Moral Responsibility", The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 66, No. 23 (Dec. 4, 1969), pp. 829-839
3. T. Nagel (1979), "Moral luck", available in Nagel, Thomas, 1979, Mortal Questions, New York: Cambridge University Press
4. P. Foot, "The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of the Double Effect" in Virtues and Vices (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1978) (originally appeared in the Oxford Review, Number 5, 1967.)
Type of delivery of the course
The course will be held in presence. Detailed information about the course will be made available on the "Announcements" section of the philosophical anthropology Moodle channel. Attending and non attending students are invited to subscribe to the channel.Attendance
Attendance in not mandatory but strongly recommended. The program for students who do not attend classes includes some additional texts.Type of evaluation
The verification of learning will take place via a written exam.