Learning objectives
By the end of the class the student will be able to:
Identify and recognize the conceptual and methodological structure of the most current moral theories;
Know and analyze ethical problems, as well as their development in the history of ethics and in the contemporary debate;
Discuss in a logical and articulate fashion the philosophical texts assigned in class; argue orally in a clear manner her critical reflections; answer in a clear and articulate manner a written open question assignment.
Apply the acquired theoretical foundations to contemporary moral, social and educational issues; orient herself in interdisciplinary areas of inquiry.
Tackle in a rational and argumentative manner topics of moral and civic relevance; engage rationally different positions.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Moral philosophy I: the class aims at highlighting the structures and normative criteria characterizing the main contemporary moral theories (deontology, consequentialism, virtue-ethics, applied ethics). The class will begin with the reading of some sections of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics and will then turn to the differences between virtue-ethics, deontological and utilitarian ethics based on the reading of some of the most significant texts. The unit provides knowledge of the basics of moral issues in their historical development and is intended as an introduction to the understanding of the contemporary moral debate.
Prof. Andrea Staiti will hold an integrative seminar on Kant, Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi.
Full programme
The extended program will be published on Elly at the beginning of the class.The extended program will be published on Elly at the beginning of the class.
The course materials will be uploaded on Elly during the class and will be considered integral to the final exam.
Bibliography
D.Neri, Filosofia morale. Manuale introduttivo, Nuova edizione, Guerini Scientifica, Milano 2013.
Aristotele, Etica Nicomachea, Bompiani, Milano 2000.
I.Kant, Fondazione della metafisica dei costumi, Laterza, Bari, 1985.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures Reading and interpretation of texts; reflection on and contextualization of the problems raised in the text under scrutiny. Written exercises on the arguments discussed in class. Integrative seminar Participation in bioethics seminars (Lectures and seminars organized by the Center of Bioethics at the University of Parma) The course materials will be uploaded on ELLY during the class and will be considered integral to the final exam.
Assessment methods and criteria
The integrated exam of Moral Philosophy (12 cfu) includes a written and an oral component. Moral Philosophy I only includes the written component.
The written examination (3 hours) consists in a set of five open questions on the topics of the first unit. The result of the written component (0-30) will count toward 50% of the whole grade. Students must enroll online on Esse3. The written examination is listed as “partial exam”. It is important that students show up in person for the correction of the written exam, according to the indications provided by the instructor.
NOTA BENE: Written examinations do NOT take place in conjunction with the oral examinations. The first written examination will take place during the break between the first and the second unit. In the summer session two written examinations will take place; in the Fall and winter sessions (or extensions) only one written examination will take place.
Oral exam: The oral exam will focus on the readings of the second unit, which will be provided at the beginning of the class.
Other information
Students from other departments (Education, etc.) who choose to include Moral Philosophy in their curriculum for 6 cfu only have to consider the indications pertaining to the Moral philosophy I.
