PHI-10013 - Moral Philosophy
Coordinator: Giuseppina D'Oro Room: CBA2.007 Tel: +44 1782 7 33350
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None



Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

This module introduces students to fundamental questions in moral philosophy and to their most influential answers by taking into account also the topical issue of religious belief and its relevance for our moral lives. The module would be of interest to all beginning students, whether or not registered in a Philosophy programme or with previous philosophical training. In its first part, the module explores issues in philosophical ethics, such as whether there are moral truths or whether we have reasons to be moral. The second part focuses on classical positions in normative ethics, for instance, hedonism and discourse ethics. Finally, by reflecting on the relevance of religion for our moral lives, the module explores the relationship between morality and religion by considering several key problems in the philosophy of religion: divine power and human freedom, divine goodness and the nature of evil, or the existence of God and the nature of moral values. The lectures focus on key problems in moral philosophy and philosophy of religion. Lectures are accompanied by seminars where tutor-led group discussion focuses on specific topics.

Aims
1) To introduce students to the key problems in moral philosophy, its links with religion, and to the distinction between ethics and meta-ethics.
2) To enable students to enhance and complement the subject-specific knowledge and skills, as well as the employability skills acquired from the two first-year Philosophy core modules and the other first-year programme elective.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/phi-10013/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

recognise and define the main concepts and distinctions in moral philosophy and philosophy of religion: 1,2
identify and illustrate the philosophical underpinnings of the positions presented in lectures and discussed in seminars: 1,2
demonstrate rigour in the critical assessment of arguments presented in texts: 1,2
identify, present and interpret opposing arguments in order to evaluate them and conclude on their persuasiveness: 1,2
explain and discuss the relationship between arguments in moral philosophy and philosophy of religion, as presented in the course and appreciate the distinction between ethics and meta-ethics: 1,2

Study hours

12 hours attendance at lectures
8 hours attendance at seminars
40 hours preparation for seminars
35 hours researching and writing the short essay
55 hours researching and writing the long essay


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 40%
1 800 word essay from a list of questions
An 800 word essay answering from a list of questions provided to students

2: Essay weighted 60%
A 1,200 word essay on a topic chosen from a list of questions
A 1,200 word essay answering a question from a list provided on the module guideline.