Philosophical Anthropology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with theoretical and methodological tools enabling them to tackle contemporary philosophical debates in moral philosophy, with special reference to value theory, fondational and applied ethics, and to the anthropological basis of value judgments.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- have a thorough knowledge of the theoretical contribution of some of the major moral philosophers;
- have a critical and articulate knowledge of the secundary literature relevant to those philosophers, which have been object of analysis;
- have a critical understanding of the main ethical and axiological issues involved in the theoretical landscape of contemporary moral philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can apply the conceptual tools that she/he has acquired, in order to discuss and rework moral questions concerning meaning and orientation of her/his acts.
- can orient her/him-self in the philosophical landscape of contemporary moral debate.
- can read and soundly discuss primary and secondary philosophical literature.
At the end of the course, the student
- have a thorough knowledge of the theoretical contribution of some of the major moral philosophers;
- have a critical and articulate knowledge of the secundary literature relevant to those philosophers, which have been object of analysis;
- have a critical understanding of the main ethical and axiological issues involved in the theoretical landscape of contemporary moral philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can apply the conceptual tools that she/he has acquired, in order to discuss and rework moral questions concerning meaning and orientation of her/his acts.
- can orient her/him-self in the philosophical landscape of contemporary moral debate.
- can read and soundly discuss primary and secondary philosophical literature.
Lesson period: Second semester
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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
During the ongoing covid emergency, the course syllabus will be maintained with the following changes made to enhance the effectiveness of the online version of the course, which was originally designed for face-to-face teaching.
Online environments used:
Ariel: https://azhokaf.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/
MSTeams: code available on Ariel
Ms Stream:
https://web.microsoftstream.com/group/1ea0317c-ff8b-465c-bbc6-af83bcb5b397?view=videos
Teaching methods:
Classes will be held according to the following risk scenarios:
- maximum severity (red zone): classes will be held only remotely in synchronous mode (using MSTeams)
- high severity (orange zone): lessons will be held in mixed mode, partly in person and partly online. the face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom. Online lessons will be held synchronously (using MSTeams)
- severity (yellow zone): classes will be held according with the orange zone guidelines and, if conditions allow, the number of lessons on campus will be increased.
The calendar of in person lessons and updates will be published on the online course platform.
Learning assessment procedures and evaluation criteria:
The exam is oral and is held on MSTeams in any emergency situation, whether yellow, orange or red zone, in compliance with the guidelines provided by the University. The online course on MSTeams will make available constantly updated details about the oral examination sessions that will be held over several days.
The recorded lessons will be available on Ms Stream:
https://web.microsoftstream.com/group/1ea0317c-ff8b-465c-bbc6-af83bcb5b397?view=videos
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/didattica-presenza
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-tecnologici-e-online/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/esami/esami-distanza-faq-gli-student
Online environments used:
Ariel: https://azhokaf.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/
MSTeams: code available on Ariel
Ms Stream:
https://web.microsoftstream.com/group/1ea0317c-ff8b-465c-bbc6-af83bcb5b397?view=videos
Teaching methods:
Classes will be held according to the following risk scenarios:
- maximum severity (red zone): classes will be held only remotely in synchronous mode (using MSTeams)
- high severity (orange zone): lessons will be held in mixed mode, partly in person and partly online. the face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom. Online lessons will be held synchronously (using MSTeams)
- severity (yellow zone): classes will be held according with the orange zone guidelines and, if conditions allow, the number of lessons on campus will be increased.
The calendar of in person lessons and updates will be published on the online course platform.
Learning assessment procedures and evaluation criteria:
The exam is oral and is held on MSTeams in any emergency situation, whether yellow, orange or red zone, in compliance with the guidelines provided by the University. The online course on MSTeams will make available constantly updated details about the oral examination sessions that will be held over several days.
The recorded lessons will be available on Ms Stream:
https://web.microsoftstream.com/group/1ea0317c-ff8b-465c-bbc6-af83bcb5b397?view=videos
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/didattica-presenza
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-tecnologici-e-online/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/esami/esami-distanza-faq-gli-student
Course syllabus
The course will tackle the two most widespread approaches in contemporary moral philosophy: Kantian deontology and utilitarianism (in its main versions). The lectures will not only aim at explaining the conceptual cores of these theories, but also to grasp the historical reasons for their current hegemony and to expose their blind spots, thus opening to theoretical alternatives able to overcome those limits.
The course is open to the students of
SCIENZE FILOSOFICHE (LM-78) Enrolled by 2016/2017
SCIENZE FILOSOFICHE (LM-78) Enrolled from 2017/2018 on
LETTERE (L-10) Enrolled from 2011/2012 on
The course is open to the students of
SCIENZE FILOSOFICHE (LM-78) Enrolled by 2016/2017
SCIENZE FILOSOFICHE (LM-78) Enrolled from 2017/2018 on
LETTERE (L-10) Enrolled from 2011/2012 on
Prerequisites for admission
The students are required to have a good acquaintance with the Western philosophical tradition, as it is provided by an Italian three-year philosophy degree. They are further required to be able to read English philosophical texts.
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:
· Kant, I., Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, a cura di F. Gonnelli, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2005.
· Kant, I., Critica della ragion pratica, a cura di F. Capra, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2006.
(Other editions are also acceptable, especially Kant, I., Scritti morali, a cura di P. Chiodi, Torino, Utet, 1970.)
· Mill, J. S., "Utilitarianism", in Utilitarianism and On Liberty, a cura di M. Warnock, London, Blackwell 2003.
· Bentham, J., An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (cap. I-V), in Utilitarianism and On Liberty, a cura di M. Warnock, London, Blackwell 2003, pp. 17-50.
(Other English editions are also acceptable, especially Mill, J.S., Bentham, J., Utilitarianism and Other Essays, London, Penguin, 2004, which includes both texts as well.)
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One text to be chosen between:
· Smart, J.J.C., Williams, B., Utilitarianism: For and Against, Cambridge University Press 1998 (I ed. 1973)
or
· Sen, A., Williams, B., Utilitarianism and Beyond, Cambridge University Press 1990 (I ed. 1982).
or
· Mulgan, T., Understanding Utilitarianism, Stocksfield, Acumen Publishing, 2007.
-------------
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Kant, I., Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, a cura di F. Gonnelli, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2005.
· Kant, I., Critica della ragion pratica, a cura di F. Capra, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2006.
(Other editions are also acceptable, especially Kant, I., Scritti morali, a cura di P. Chiodi, Torino, Utet, 1970.)
· Mill, J. S., "Utilitarianism", in Utilitarianism and On Liberty, a cura di M. Warnock, London, Blackwell 2003.
· Bentham, J., An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (cap. I-V), in Utilitarianism and On Liberty, a cura di M. Warnock, London, Blackwell 2003, pp. 17-50.
(Other English editions are also acceptable, especially Mill, J.S., Bentham, J., Utilitarianism and Other Essays, London, Penguin, 2004, which includes both texts as well.)
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
2 texts to be chosen between:
· Smart, J.J.C., Williams, B., Utilitarianism: For and Against, Cambridge University Press 1998 (I ed. 1973)
· Sen, A., Williams, B., Utilitarianism and Beyond, Cambridge University Press 1990 (I ed. 1982).
· Mulgan, T., Understanding Utilitarianism, Stocksfield, Acumen Publishing, 2007.
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Kant, I., Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, a cura di F. Gonnelli, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2005.
· Kant, I., Critica della ragion pratica, a cura di F. Capra, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2006.
(Other editions are also acceptable, especially Kant, I., Scritti morali, a cura di P. Chiodi, Torino, Utet, 1970.)
· Mill, J. S., "Utilitarianism", in Utilitarianism and On Liberty, a cura di M. Warnock, London, Blackwell 2003.
· Bentham, J., An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (cap. I-V), in Utilitarianism and On Liberty, a cura di M. Warnock, London, Blackwell 2003, pp. 17-50.
(Other English editions are also acceptable, especially Mill, J.S., Bentham, J., Utilitarianism and Other Essays, London, Penguin, 2004, which includes both texts as well.)
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One text to be chosen between:
· Smart, J.J.C., Williams, B., Utilitarianism: For and Against, Cambridge University Press 1998 (I ed. 1973)
or
· Sen, A., Williams, B., Utilitarianism and Beyond, Cambridge University Press 1990 (I ed. 1982).
or
· Mulgan, T., Understanding Utilitarianism, Stocksfield, Acumen Publishing, 2007.
-------------
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Kant, I., Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, a cura di F. Gonnelli, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2005.
· Kant, I., Critica della ragion pratica, a cura di F. Capra, Bari-Roma, Laterza 2006.
(Other editions are also acceptable, especially Kant, I., Scritti morali, a cura di P. Chiodi, Torino, Utet, 1970.)
· Mill, J. S., "Utilitarianism", in Utilitarianism and On Liberty, a cura di M. Warnock, London, Blackwell 2003.
· Bentham, J., An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (cap. I-V), in Utilitarianism and On Liberty, a cura di M. Warnock, London, Blackwell 2003, pp. 17-50.
(Other English editions are also acceptable, especially Mill, J.S., Bentham, J., Utilitarianism and Other Essays, London, Penguin, 2004, which includes both texts as well.)
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
2 texts to be chosen between:
· Smart, J.J.C., Williams, B., Utilitarianism: For and Against, Cambridge University Press 1998 (I ed. 1973)
· Sen, A., Williams, B., Utilitarianism and Beyond, Cambridge University Press 1990 (I ed. 1982).
· Mulgan, T., Understanding Utilitarianism, Stocksfield, Acumen Publishing, 2007.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final evaluation consists of an oral exam on the matter treated during the course. The students that have not attended to the lectures will be required to study further texts, which are specified below. There are not any other difference in the way the exam is to be tackled between attending and not-attending students.
General criteria that contribute to the determination of the final marks are:
1) Accuracy of the answers (adequacy to the textual matter);
2) Ability to provide a synthesis of the main conceptual issues;
3) Comprehensiveness and richness of the answers;
4) Expressive quality (terminological property, fluency, accuracy)
5) Ability to select the salient aspects of each debate and to connect them in a critical framework.
General criteria that contribute to the determination of the final marks are:
1) Accuracy of the answers (adequacy to the textual matter);
2) Ability to provide a synthesis of the main conceptual issues;
3) Comprehensiveness and richness of the answers;
4) Expressive quality (terminological property, fluency, accuracy)
5) Ability to select the salient aspects of each debate and to connect them in a critical framework.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)