PP2MP-Moral Philosophy

Module Provider: Philosophy
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Dr PJ Stratton-Lake
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: p.j.stratton-lake@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
To survey central lines of thought in moral philosophy, including both metaethical positions and normative theories. Metaethical questions addressed will include the questions surrounding the objectivity of morality and the nature of moral judgement. Normative theories will include consequentialism and its rivals such as Kant's ethical theory, the social contract theory, and W. D. Ross's 'common-sense' moral pluralism.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, the student will be able to outline the main arguments for and against the view that moral judgments are best understood as expressions of sentiment or commitment, rather than as attempts to assert truths about the world. They will also be able to contrast different forms of consequentialist ethics, Kant's categorical imperative, the social contract theory of morality, and moral pluralism. Finally, they will be able to express some considered views about the criteria for assessing normative moral theories. The essays that students are required to write for the unit will help develop their abilities to report ideas and arguments accurately, to assess the soundness of arguments, to argue soundly, and to write with clarity and precision. The seminar sessions on these essays will also help develop the students' critical thinking skills. The preparation for and the taking of exams will help develop the students' abilities to report ideas and arguments accurately, to assess the soundness of arguments, and to argue soundly.

Additional outcomes:
Students will gain an overview of two of the most important topics: What are the basic principles of morally justifiable action? And what is the status of these principles?

Outline content:
Year to year, there may be variation as to whether the metaethical views or the normative theories are discussed first. In whatever sequence, however, the topics to be discussed will include the following questions. Can moral judgements be plausibly construed as descriptions of the judger's attitudes? Are moral judgements incapable of being true? Do moral judgements have a necessary connection to motivation? What ways are there of arguing against a proposed moral principle? Is there any form of consequentialist ethics that is plausible? Was Kant correct to think that an act is morally right if and only if the agent could will that acts of that kind be performed universally? Is morality rightly thought to be composed of principles that no reasonable and well-motivated person could reject? Should we reject all known proposals of a single overarching moral principle in favour of some more pluralistic account of morality?

Sample Reading List
Singer, P. (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, 1993.
Kant, I., Groundwork to the Metaphysics of Morals, 1789, many editions.
Scanlon, T. M. 'Contractualism and Utilitarianism', in A. Sen and B. Williams (eds) Utilitarianism and Beyond, Cambridge University Press, 1981, pp. 103-28.
Mackie, J. L., Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong, Penguin, 1977.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The format for this module is lectures and essay seminars. Students are encouraged to be active in all classes, asking questions and trying to answer the questions posed by others. Handouts are given for this module, including reading lists and sample questions.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	18
Tutorials/seminars	2
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours	20
Number of essays or assignments	2
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
2 x 1,500-2,000 word essays.

Relative percentage of coursework: 30%

Examinations
Examination of this module is by coursework (2 coursework essays contributing 30%) and by final exam (70%). The final exam will be two hours in which time you will be required to answer two questions from a choice of six.

Requirements for a pass
40%

Reassessment
Written examination only

Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in August/September