Ethical theory and hard choices
A.A. 2024/2025
Obiettivi formativi
The course aims to introduce the contemporary discussion in moral philosophy. The first section will: a) provide a characterization of morality, as a distinctive form of normativity, as compared to law, aesthetics, and convention or etiquette; b) discuss the relationship and distinction of morality and religion and c) discuss the relationship of moral responsibility with the notion of free will. The second section will present the main normative theories of right action: a) the various forms of consequentialism (act- or rule-based), with their different attached theories of the good life (hedonism, desire-theory, objective-list theory); b) the different forms of deontological theories, both duty-based and rights-based; c) the main versions of either Aristotelian or agent-based virtue ethics. The third section will shortly present some theories on the nature of morality, such as expressivism, error theory, relativism, and some forms of moral realism.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
At the end of the course, students are expected to possess the basic general information on both the normative and the metaethical discussions in moral philosophy; they are expected to acquire the language for the discussion of normative problems both in theoretical and applied ethics; they should have acquired the capacity to collect, present and discuss existing literature on a chosen topic in contemporary discussion, to prepare a short paper for the exam.
Periodo: Terzo trimestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Periodo
Terzo trimestre
Programma
Section 1: The definition of morality
The idea of morality: moral norms vs. legal, aesthetic, and conventional norms
Moral judgment and the moral point of view
The relationship between religion and morality
Free will and moral responsibility
Section 2: Normative theories
Forms of consequentialism: ethical egoism and utilitarianism
Act-consequentialism and rule-consequentialism
Theories of the good life: hedonism, desire-theory, the 'objective list' theory
Deontological views in ethics: duty-based and rights-based theories
Theories of unconditional duties and theories of prima facie duties
Rights as side constraints; absolute and prima facie rights
The critique of 'modern morality' and Aristotelian views on virtue ethics
Agent-based vs. agent-focused virtue ethics
Section 3: The Status of Morality
Forms of moral subjectivism: expressivism, error theory, metaethical and normative relativism
Forms of moral objectivism: naturalistic ethics, non-naturalistic moral realism, and constructivism.
The idea of morality: moral norms vs. legal, aesthetic, and conventional norms
Moral judgment and the moral point of view
The relationship between religion and morality
Free will and moral responsibility
Section 2: Normative theories
Forms of consequentialism: ethical egoism and utilitarianism
Act-consequentialism and rule-consequentialism
Theories of the good life: hedonism, desire-theory, the 'objective list' theory
Deontological views in ethics: duty-based and rights-based theories
Theories of unconditional duties and theories of prima facie duties
Rights as side constraints; absolute and prima facie rights
The critique of 'modern morality' and Aristotelian views on virtue ethics
Agent-based vs. agent-focused virtue ethics
Section 3: The Status of Morality
Forms of moral subjectivism: expressivism, error theory, metaethical and normative relativism
Forms of moral objectivism: naturalistic ethics, non-naturalistic moral realism, and constructivism.
Prerequisiti
There are no prerequisites
Metodi didattici
Lectures and discussions in class
Materiale di riferimento
- W. Frankena, Ethics, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs NJ 1973, chap. 1
- P.F. Strawson, Freedom and resentment, Proceedings of the British Academy, 48, 1962, pp. 187-211
- H.L.A. Hart, The Concept of Law, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1997, pp. 155-184
- J. Berg, How could ethics depend on religion?, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 525-533
- B. Eggleston, Act utilitarianism, in B. Eggleston, D. Miller (eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Utilitarianism, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2014, pp. 125-145
- B. Hooker, Rule-Consequentialism, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 428-440
- T. Nagel, The view from Nowhere, Oxford University Press, New York 1986, chap. IX, pp. 164-185; repr. in S. Darwall (ed.), Deontology, Blackwell, Oxford 2003, pp. 90-111.
- D. Ross, What makes right acts right?, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 756-762
- R. Hursthouse, Normative virtue ethics, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 645-652
- M. Slote, Agent-Based Virtue Ethics, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 653-663
- M. Smith, Realism, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 399-410
- J. Mackie, The Subjectivity of Values, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 22-30
- D. Wong, Relativism, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 442-450
- B. Williams, The Truth in Relativism, in Moral Luck, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1982, pp. 132-143
- P.F. Strawson, Freedom and resentment, Proceedings of the British Academy, 48, 1962, pp. 187-211
- H.L.A. Hart, The Concept of Law, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1997, pp. 155-184
- J. Berg, How could ethics depend on religion?, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 525-533
- B. Eggleston, Act utilitarianism, in B. Eggleston, D. Miller (eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Utilitarianism, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2014, pp. 125-145
- B. Hooker, Rule-Consequentialism, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 428-440
- T. Nagel, The view from Nowhere, Oxford University Press, New York 1986, chap. IX, pp. 164-185; repr. in S. Darwall (ed.), Deontology, Blackwell, Oxford 2003, pp. 90-111.
- D. Ross, What makes right acts right?, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 756-762
- R. Hursthouse, Normative virtue ethics, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 645-652
- M. Slote, Agent-Based Virtue Ethics, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 653-663
- M. Smith, Realism, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 399-410
- J. Mackie, The Subjectivity of Values, in R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory. An Anthology, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford 2012, pp. 22-30
- D. Wong, Relativism, in Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, Oxford, 1991, pp. 442-450
- B. Williams, The Truth in Relativism, in Moral Luck, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1982, pp. 132-143
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The examination will consist in:
a) preparing a short paper (from 14000 to 18000 characters, bibliography excluded) on one of the topics or the authors discussed during the classes; this paper must be sent by email at least 7 days before the call and will account for 60% of the total score. It must show the capacity to collect relevant bibliography, be written in good English, develop a consistent argument, and possibly offer a critical and original discussion.
b) fill in a questionnaire with multiple choice questions concerning the course topics and the articles in the syllabus (35% of the total score). Participation in class discussions will also be considered (5% of the total score).
a) preparing a short paper (from 14000 to 18000 characters, bibliography excluded) on one of the topics or the authors discussed during the classes; this paper must be sent by email at least 7 days before the call and will account for 60% of the total score. It must show the capacity to collect relevant bibliography, be written in good English, develop a consistent argument, and possibly offer a critical and original discussion.
b) fill in a questionnaire with multiple choice questions concerning the course topics and the articles in the syllabus (35% of the total score). Participation in class discussions will also be considered (5% of the total score).
M-FIL/03 - FILOSOFIA MORALE - CFU: 6
Lezioni: 40 ore
Docente:
Reichlin Massimo
Turni:
Turno
Docente:
Reichlin Massimo