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: 

- Present the main concepts of Kantian ethics

- Provide an overview of the historical development of Kantianism
- Present the main themes and strands of contemporary Kantianism

The main expected learning outcomes are:

- acquisition and mastery of concepts and methods of Kantian ethics

- knowledge of the main figures and historical development of Kantianism; 
- ability to face and understand some fundamental texts and their specific technical language.

PREREQUISITES

Philosophy students will be required previous attendance to Introduzione alla filosofia morale.

Other students will be provided the necessary background knowledge; however, they will also be allowed to choose alternative texts (in agreement with the lecturer).

TEACHING METHODS

The first part of the course will consist of lectures using slides. In the second part, attending students will be required to orally present and critically discuss a text provided by the teacher that delves into one of the currents covered.

Lessons will be held in presence. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. Only those who attend lessons in presence will be deemed attending students. The teacher, upon specific request by single students, could allow them to access the recordings of the lessons via Teams. However, students not attending in presence won't be eligible for the reduced reading list available to students regularly attending in presence.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Program (6 cfu)

Kantian ethics

The course will present the fundamental concepts of Kantian ethics, with particular reference to the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals and the Critique of Practical Reason.

Program (9 cfu)

Kantian ethics, classic and contemporary

The course will present the fundamental concepts of Kantian ethics, with particular reference to the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals and the Critique of Practical Reason. In the second part, some central figures and currents in contemporary Anglo-American Kantianism will be presented.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

6 cfu

Mandatory for all:

• O. O’Neill, Acting on Principle: An Essay on Kantian Ethics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2013.

One of the following readings: 

• I. Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (any English edition)
• I. Kant, Critique of Practical Reason (any English edition)

9 cfu

Mandatory for all:

• O. O’Neill, Acting on Principle: An Essay on Kantian Ethics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2013.

One of the following readings: 

• I. Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (any English edition)
• I. Kant, Critique of Practical Reason (any English edition)

+ An article selected from a reading list provided at the beginning of the course.

NB: Attending students may choose, as an alternative to studying the article, to present a text assigned by the lecturer in class and prepare a written essay on the same (see exam description)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA SILVIA VACCAREZZA (President)

MICHEL CROCE

ROBERTO CELADA BALLANTI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Feb. 21, 2023

Class schedule

MORAL PHILOSOPHY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral for all students.

For attending students, it is possible to replace the study of the article with an oral presentation and a written essay related to the presentation.

NB: Non-attending students are requested to contact the lecturer to discuss the program well in advance of the exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will consist of a question on the course topics, in which the achievement of the learning outcomes will be ascertained.

The final grade for students who choose the in-class presentation option (+ essay) will consist of the average of grades from:

- oral examination

- in-class presentation

- written paper (for those who choose it).

The written essay, if any, will be evaluated in thirtieths, taking into account: argumentative ability (up to 20 points) and linguistic correctness (up to 10 points).

Exam schedule