OVERVIEW

The course introduces and critically discusses the main issues about the topic of responsibility and aims at providing students with an overview of the key views and open debates on this topic in moral philosophy and action theory.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Develop capacities in critical reading, thinking, speaking, and writing; cultivate collaborative learning, reasoning, and writing skills; develop a vocabulary to study and assess different works in contemporary practical philosophy; acquire knowledge of foundational concepts in moral and political theory; master literature in contemporary action theory; gain control of concepts such as "action" and "intention".

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The specific objectives of the course encompass:

• Introducing the main definitions of the notion of moral responsibility;
• Presenting and discussing the main open (traditional and more recent) discussions about the notion of responsibility;
• Analyzing the philosophical and extra-philosophical implications of these discussions.

The main expected learning outcomes encompass:

• Acquiring knowledge of the main views and discussions about moral responsibility;
• Developing the appropriate conceptual, terminological, and methodological tools of (analytic) philosophical discussion;
• Learning how to critically analyze specialistic philosophical essays and developing argumentation and collective discussion skills.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will include lectures, student presentations, and seminars.

If possible, lectures will be held in presence. Students will have the opportunity to attend online lectures too (Teams code: d7w6t13).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The first part of the course introduces and analyzes the main definitions of moral responsibility and the main skeptical arguments against the justification of that notion. It also addresses key questions such as: When can we take ourselves to be responsible for our actions? Can one be held responsible for actions that lied outside one’s control? What is blame? When is it appropriate to blame someone? What is the difference between individual and collective responsibility?

The second part of the course inquires into the relationship between moral responsibility and moral luck. Key essays of this debate will be discussed in seminars and through student presentations.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography (6 cfu):

1) One volume among the following:

• Bagnoli, C. (2019), Teoria della responsabilità, Bologna, Il Mulino.
• Fischer, M. & Ravizza, J. (1998), Responsibility and Control. A Theory of Moral Responsibility, New York, Cambridge University Press.
• Mason, E. (2019), Ways to Be Blameworthy: Rightness, Wrongness, and Responsibility. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
• Sher, G. (2006), In Praise of Blame. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
• Wallace, Jay R. (1996), Responsibility and the Moral Sentiments, Cambridge (MA), Harvard University Press.

2) One presentation in class on a relevant topic (which has to be selected together with the lecturer)

3) One short paper (3000-4000) on a relevant topic (which has to be selected together with the lecturer)

Bibliography (9 cfu):

1) Two volumes among the following:

• Bagnoli, C. (2019), Teoria della responsabilità, Bologna, Il Mulino.
• Fischer, M. & Ravizza, J. (1998), Responsibility and Control. A Theory of Moral Responsibility, New York, Cambridge University Press.
• Mason, E. (2019), Ways to Be Blameworthy: Rightness, Wrongness, and Responsibility. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
• Sher, G. (2006), In Praise of Blame. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
• Wallace, Jay R. (1996), Responsibility and the Moral Sentiments, Cambridge (MA), Harvard University Press.

2) One presentation in class on a relevant topic (which has to be selected together with the lecturer)

3) One short paper (3000-4000) on a relevant topic (which has to be selected together with the lecturer)

Students who do not attend the course (“non frequentanti”):

Should meet requirements 1) and 3). Presentations in class will be replaced with a further volume (or collection of papers) to be selected together with the lecturer.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MICHEL CROCE (President)

MARIA SILVIA VACCAREZZA

CORRADO FUMAGALLI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

04.10.2021

Monday 17-19

Tuesday 17-19

Thursday 9-11

Class schedule

THEMES OF PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Students who attend the course (“frequentanti”):

• Presentation in class (10/30)
• Short paper (10/30)
• Oral exam (10/30)

The short paper must be sent to the lecturer at least two weeks before the oral exam date.

Students must enroll in the exam session at least one week before the exam date.

Students who do not attend the course (“non frequentanti”):

• Short paper (15/30)
• Oral exam (15/30)

The short paper must be sent to the lecturer at least two weeks before the oral exam date.

Students must enroll in the exam session at least one week before the exam date.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Those who do not attend the course (“non frequentanti”) are required to inform the lecturer.