Learning objectives
By the end of the class the student will be able to:
-Knowledge and understanding: 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.
-Applying knowledge and understanding: Apply the acquired theoretical foundations to contemporary moral, social and educational issues; Answer in a clear and articulate manner a written open question assignment. orient herself in interdisciplinary areas of inquiry.
-Making judgements; Communication skills: Argue orally in a clear manner her critical reflexions;engage rationally different positions.
Prerequisites
Moral Philosophy I
Course unit content
Bioethics is a ‘young’ discipline that was introduced in the 1970s. It constitutes a complex epistemological and normative challenge to contemporary moral philosophy. Philosophy and ethics are called to tackle previously unknown problems in an interdisciplinary context, arising from technology and moral pluralism. We shall consider bioethics as an interesting arena for a challenge among the difference ethical perspectives presented in Moral Philosophy I. Bioethics is a privileged area of inquiry to reflect on the ongoing reformulation of fundamental concepts in the moral tradition (person, nature, human nature, responsibility, animality, autonomy, freedom, etc.) and on the different methodological strategies that are being proposed.
Full programme
The class will propose a selection of readings from some classical texts in bioethics, with an eye to authors who represent the main theoretical perspectives in the field. (H. Jonas, P. Singer, H.T. Engelhardt, W.T.Reich ).
Bibliography
C. Viafora, A. Gaiani, A lezione di bioetica. Temi e strumenti, seconda edizione, FrancoAngeli, Milano 2015 (saggi 1, 2, 3, 4,8, 13, 14, 18, Appendice 1)
P. Singer, Etica pratica, Liguori, Napoli 1988.
H.T. Engelhardt, Manuale di Bioetica, Il Saggiatore, Milano 1999, seconda edizione, (cap. 1,2, 3,4)
H. Jonas, Tecnica, medicina ed etica. Prassi del principio responsabilità, Einaudi 1997 (saggi I, II, III, XI).
Students who cannot attend the whole class are encouraged to read as introduction to Jonas, Singer and Engelhardt M. Reichlin, Etica della vita, Bruno Mondadori 2008.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures. Reading and interpretation of texts; reflection on and
contextualization of the problems raised in the text under scrutiny. 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/six 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.
Assessment criteria and assessment thresholds:
30 cum laude: Excellent, excellent solidity of knowledge, excellent expressive properties, excellent understanding of the concepts
30: Very good. Complete and adequate knowledge, well-articulated and correctly expressed
27-29: Good, satisfactory knowledge, essentially correct expression.
24-26: Fairly good knowledge, but not complete and not always correct.
22-23: Generally sufficient knowledge but superficial. Expression is often not appropriate and confused.
18-21: Sufficient. The expression and articulation of the speech show important gaps.
<18: insufficient knowledge or very incomplete, lack of guidance in discipline, expression seriously deficient. Exam failed.
Other information
The course consists of two parts (Moral Philosophy integrated):
First part - Moral Philosophy I (for students "Studi Filosofici" and "Scienze dell'educazione")
Second part - Moral Philosophy II (for students "Studi Filosofici")
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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