OVERVIEW

The course of Moral Philosophy aims at fostering a deepening on a speculative and historical level of those moral issues to which students of philosophy have been introduced through the teaching of Introduction to Moral Philosophy in the first year. It is also addressed to students of other courses of study.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Being able to present the main currents and topics of moral philosophy: the problem of freedom, the origin of Evil, and the nature of Good, human conduct, principles, mobiles and purpose of actions, the concepts of virtue and happiness, relative or absolute nature of values. Learning to actively understand classics of moral philosophy, through interpretation of texts written by ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary philosophers.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The specific aims of the course are to: 
- Provide an overview of the historical development of virtue ethics;
- Present the main themes and strands of contemporary virtue ethics;
- Critically address the most relevant theoretical issues and philosophical and extra-philosophical challenges addressed to this normative approach.

The main expected learning outcomes are:
- knowledge of the main figures and historical development of virtue ethics; 
- acquisition and mastery of concepts and methods of contemporary virtue ethics;
- ability to face and understand some fundamental texts and their specific technical language.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures will be possibly held in presence, but it will be possible for students to attend classes via Microsoft Teams. The enter code will be provided here in due course. 

Lectures and seminar discussions will be alternated to the comment of texts.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Program 6 cfu

Aristotelianism and contemporary virtue ethics
This course will explore some fundamental aspects of contemporary virtue ethics, particularly in its neo-Aristotelian strand.

Program 9 cfu

Aristotelianism and contemporary virtue ethics. From standard theories to moral exemplarism
The course aims to deepen some fundamental aspects of contemporary virtue ethics, in particular in its neo-Aristotelian strand. Particular attention will be paid, in the last module, to the exemplarist moral theory developed in recent years by L.T. Zagzebski.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

6 CFU:

Mandatory for all students

A. Campodonico, M. Croce e M.S. Vaccarezza, Introduzione all’etica delle virtù, Carocci, Roma 2017 (or another introduction to virtue ethics, to be arranged)

One of the following readings (or other options to be arranged in advance):

- Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (any English edition).

- A. MacIntyre, After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory, University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame (IN) 1981.

- I. Murdoch, Existentialists and Mystics. Writings on Philosophy and Literature, Chatto and Windus, London, 1997 (selected chapters).

- P. Foot, Virtue and Vices and Other Essays in Moral Philosophy, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1978.

- L. Zagzebski, Exemplarist Moral Theory, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2017.

- J. Annas, Intelligent Virtue, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011.

- R. Hursthouse, On Virtue Ethics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1999.

- D. Russell, Practical Intelligence and the Virtues, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009.

9 CFU:

Mandatory for all students

A. Campodonico, M. Croce e M.S. Vaccarezza, Introduzione all’etica delle virtù, Carocci, Roma 2017 (or another introduction to virtue ethics, to be arranged)

Two of the following readings (or other options to be arranged in advance):

- Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (any English edition).

- A. MacIntyre, After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory, University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame (IN) 1981.

- I. Murdoch, Existentialists and Mystics. Writings on Philosophy and Literature, Chatto and Windus, London, 1997 (selected chapters).

- P. Foot, Virtue and Vices and Other Essays in Moral Philosophy, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1978.

- L. Zagzebski, Exemplarist Moral Theory, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2017.

- J. Annas, Intelligent Virtue, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011.

- R. Hursthouse, On Virtue Ethics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1999.

- D. Russell, Practical Intelligence and the Virtues, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA SILVIA VACCAREZZA (President)

ANGELO CAMPODONICO

ROBERTO CELADA BALLANTI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Sept. 28, 2021

Class schedule

MORAL PHILOSOPHY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

oral examination

ASSESSMENT METHODS

teams: e6jjfgv

Exam schedule