Course content

What is morality? What is happiness? How should we live? What is a just society? Do obligations and norms conflict with our freedom? Is there a way in which to solve cultural and value conflicts? By starting out from such ethical questions, this course gives an introduction to the tradition of Western ethical theories. Various normative ethical theories will be studied, like natural law theory, utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. The course will focus on the interactive relationship between ethical theory and moral practice. Students will learn to apply theories to practical problems and to criticize and evaluate theories in the light of their implications for practice.

Learning outcome

Be able to explain the strenghts and weaknesses of central ethical theories. Ability to apply central ethical theories and concepts to concrete cases/situations. Ability to criticise and adjust ethical theories and concepts from the point of view of well-considered moral judgements of concrete problems. Ability to argue for and against moral judgements, including one’s own.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, seminars, and own activity. One written assignment must be submitted and approved in order to take the exam. The paper should be 4-8 pages long, 12 p Times New Roman, 1,5 spacing. This equals about 400 words per page (i.e. 1600-3200 words in total). Topics for the paper is only given on semester when the subject is taught, but is valid for this and the subsequent semester. Basis for assessment is one essay counting 40% and one four hour written examination counting 60% of the final grade. Failing in one of the exam parts equals a fail mark for the course. If the exam is taken up again, both exam parts must be retaken. The paper is written on the basis of the compulsory written assignment after supervision by a seminar leader. The essay should be approximately two pages longer than the assignment it is based on, i.e. 6-10 pages (ca 2400-4000 words). It is to be submitted in two copies at the Department reception office. The date for submitting is given under exam dates. Frontpage: Course code, date and student number.

Compulsory assignments

• One approved written exercise

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Piers Benn: Ethics (UCL Press, 1998) + articles handed out in class.

Credit reductions