Foundations of Ethics
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the knowledge of fundamental theoretical points, vocabulary and the main argumentative processes of moral philosophy, as well as the knowledge of concepts and problems of one or more specific areas of philosophical and moral discussion, also in reference to the historical and cultural context.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Identify the fundamental theoretical points of the philosophical thought in the ethical field in its different forms and traditions
Present the main concepts and problems relevant to the status and method of moral Philosophy, Ethics and Theory of values
Exemplify the arguments found in both texts and works
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Use the main conceptual contributions of the philosophical thought in the ethical field
Analyze the reasons and arguments of the main philosophical contributions that have been tackled
Apply their knowledge of concepts and problems to the specific areas of moral philosophy
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Identify the fundamental theoretical points of the philosophical thought in the ethical field in its different forms and traditions
Present the main concepts and problems relevant to the status and method of moral Philosophy, Ethics and Theory of values
Exemplify the arguments found in both texts and works
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Use the main conceptual contributions of the philosophical thought in the ethical field
Analyze the reasons and arguments of the main philosophical contributions that have been tackled
Apply their knowledge of concepts and problems to the specific areas of moral philosophy
Lesson period: First 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
[A-K]
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide an essential knowledge of three major pillars of philosophical-moral reflection, with a focus on theoretical cores and argumentative procedures. In the first part, Aristotelian ethics will be considered; in the second and third parts, two further and capital stages of philosophical-moral reflection will be considered, the Kantian and Nietzschean ethics, which lead us to the controversies and problems of our present day.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
Programma da 9 CFU
Aristotele, Etica nicomachea, a cura di C. Natali, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
I. Kant, Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, a cura di F. Gonnelli, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
F. Nietzsche, Genealogia della morale, Adelphi, Milano 1984.
Programma da 6 CFU
Aristotele, Etica nicomachea, a cura di C. Natali, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
I. Kant, Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, a cura di F. Gonnelli, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
VALIDITY OF THE PROGRAMME: 1 academic year, as per the didactic regulations of the degree course.
Aristotele, Etica nicomachea, a cura di C. Natali, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
I. Kant, Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, a cura di F. Gonnelli, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
F. Nietzsche, Genealogia della morale, Adelphi, Milano 1984.
Programma da 6 CFU
Aristotele, Etica nicomachea, a cura di C. Natali, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
I. Kant, Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, a cura di F. Gonnelli, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
VALIDITY OF THE PROGRAMME: 1 academic year, as per the didactic regulations of the degree course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of an oral exam. The purpose of the oral exam will be to test the knowledge and skills acquired by students in light of the course topics. Evaluation criteria: 1) knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discussed during the course (exposition); 2) ability to exemplify concepts (understanding); 3) capacity of use and apply concepts (development); 4) use of language.
[Blended learning]
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to introduce students to the three main areas of moral philosophy: meta-ethics (and in particular meta-ethical theories such as emotionalism, moral realism, moral relativism, cognitivism, moral psychology, etc.), normative ethics (e.g. approach of consequentialist ethics, deontological ethics, virtue ethics, etc.) and applied ethics (dealing with issues such as abortion, euthanasia, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, etc.)
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites are required other than those specified in the Teaching Regulations.
Teaching methods
Teaching is delivered in blended learning, as follows:
hours of face-to-face lectures
hours of synchronous online lessons in videoconferencing Teams
hours of asynchronous online lessons in the MyAriel environment
There will be face-to-face lectures, online group activities, exercises, reading and commenting on excerpts from papers and book chapters.
The breakdown of lectures and the specific timetable of activities will be published in MyAriel within a week of the start of the semester's lectures.
hours of face-to-face lectures
hours of synchronous online lessons in videoconferencing Teams
hours of asynchronous online lessons in the MyAriel environment
There will be face-to-face lectures, online group activities, exercises, reading and commenting on excerpts from papers and book chapters.
The breakdown of lectures and the specific timetable of activities will be published in MyAriel within a week of the start of the semester's lectures.
Teaching Resources
Jonathan Wolff, An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, Norton, New York, 2020
Or
Gianfranco Mormino, Storia della Filosofia Morale, Raffaello Cortina, 2020
Additional material will be introduced
Or
Gianfranco Mormino, Storia della Filosofia Morale, Raffaello Cortina, 2020
Additional material will be introduced
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam. The exam is an oral discussion on the topics and the readings listed in the program. The assessments will address: 1) level of theoretical knowledge; 2) capacity to apply general principles to specific cases; 3) capacity to critically examine the topics discussed in the course.
[L-Z]
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The first part of the course will be dedicated to the historical and conceptual aspects of the discipline. Then the course will focus on the notions of justice and vengeance
Prerequisites for admission
As a first-year exam, there are no specific requirements different from those requested for the admission to the BA degree in Philosophy
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debates
Debates
Teaching Resources
Programma da 9 cfu
● G. Mormino, Storia della filosofia morale
● R. Girard, La violenza e il sacro
● Handout
N. B. Il programma dʼesame prevede inoltre per tutti gli studenti lʼascolto delle registrazioni delle lezioni, che saranno rese disponibili su ARIEL
● G. Mormino, Storia della filosofia morale
● R. Girard, La violenza e il sacro
● Handout
N. B. Il programma dʼesame prevede inoltre per tutti gli studenti lʼascolto delle registrazioni delle lezioni, che saranno rese disponibili su ARIEL
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of an oral exam. The purpose of the oral exam will be to test the knowledge and skills acquired by students in light of the course topics. Evaluation criteria: 1) knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discussed during the course (exposition); 2) ability to exemplify concepts (understanding); 3) capacity of use and apply concepts (development); 4) use of language.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
make an appointment via email
Online on Microsoft Teams or in my office