PHI204 - Ethics: Theoretical and Practical

Outline:

It is often said that the modern age is characterised by moral uncertainty. Many moral philosophers think that the solution lies in moral theory. A moral theory is a theoretical account of how we ought to live and act towards one another. This course will attempt to illuminate a number of general moral theories - including utilitarianism, Kantianism and virtue theory. Theorists discussed will include Aristotle, Kant, Bentham and Mill.

Advised for:

Value Theory

Note: This course is not available to those taking PHI219

Assessment:

Two coursework essays (50%) and a two-hour pre-released examination (50%)

Lecturer:

Christopher Bennett

Lectures: Autumn Semester

Mon 12-1 Room PC - B39
Mon 3-4 Room MAPP-LT10
Seminars:

Mon 4-5 Room : JB SR116
Tues 2-3 Room : JB-SR116
Tues 3-4 Room : JB-SR116

Reading

The required text for this course is R. Shafer-Landau (ed.), Ethical Theory (Blackwell, 2007).

Students who want to do some preparatory reading could look at Peter Singer [ed], A Companion to Ethics (Blackwell 1991); Hugh LaFollette [ed.], Ethics in Practice (Blackwell, 1997); or Marcia Baron, Philip Pettit and Michael Slote, Three Methods of Ethics (Blackwell 1997). A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.