Foundations of Ethics
A.Y. 2024/2025
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 can be attended as a single course.
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: This includes meta-ethical theories such as emotionalism, moral realism, moral relativism, cognitivism, and moral psychology.
Normative ethics: This covers various approaches, including consequentialist ethics, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics.
Applied ethics: This addresses practical ethical issues such as abortion, euthanasia, environmental ethics, bioethics, and other contemporary moral dilemmas.
Meta-ethics: This includes meta-ethical theories such as emotionalism, moral realism, moral relativism, cognitivism, and moral psychology.
Normative ethics: This covers various approaches, including consequentialist ethics, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics.
Applied ethics: This addresses practical ethical issues such as abortion, euthanasia, environmental ethics, bioethics, and other contemporary moral dilemmas.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites required except for those specified in the Teaching Regulations.
Teaching methods
Teaching is delivered in a blended learning format, as follows:
Hours of face-to-face lectures
Hours of synchronous online lessons via Teams videoconferencing
Hours of asynchronous online lessons in the MyAriel environment"
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 via Teams videoconferencing
Hours of asynchronous online lessons in the MyAriel environment"
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
Rachels, J. and Rachels, S., 2012. The Elements of Moral Philosophy 7e. McGraw Hill (capitoli selezionati)
Or
Jonathan Wolff, An Introduction to Moral Philosophy (New York: Norton, 2018) (capitoli selezionati)
Or
Gianfranco Mormino, Storia della Filosofia Morale, Raffaello Cortina, 2020
And
Material provided by the lecturer
Or
Jonathan Wolff, An Introduction to Moral Philosophy (New York: Norton, 2018) (capitoli selezionati)
Or
Gianfranco Mormino, Storia della Filosofia Morale, Raffaello Cortina, 2020
And
Material provided by the lecturer
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral Exam: The exam consists of an oral discussion covering the topics and readings listed in the program. The assessment will address the following aspects:
1. Level of theoretical knowledge.
2. Ability to apply general principles to specific cases.
3. Ability to critically examine the topics discussed in the course.
Students will have to submit a short essay before the oral exam.
1. Level of theoretical knowledge.
2. Ability to apply general principles to specific cases.
3. Ability to critically examine the topics discussed in the course.
Students will have to submit a short essay before the oral exam.
[L-Z]
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the admission to the BA degree in Philosophy
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debates
Debates
Assessment methods and Criteria
he 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