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

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. A. Mele (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 tests on dates agreed with the instructor. The exam can be taken in Italian or English, at the student's choice. Assessment Criteria: Understanding of texts and key concepts: Ability to analyze and discuss the main philosophical concepts covered in the course, demonstrating a solid understanding of the texts and their implications. Participation in discussions: Active involvement in class discussions, showing interest and the ability to engage in critical reflection on the topics addressed during the course. Argumentation and coherence in responses: Ability to develop well-argued and coherent responses based on the texts read, with a clear presentation of one's ideas and the ability to connect theoretical concepts to broader reflections. Synthesis skills: Assessment of the ability to synthesize the main course topics during the oral exam, demonstrating a good understanding and critical analysis of the material covered.