Course Catalogue

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This course introduces students to central issues and arguments in contemporary ethics.

16x1hr lectures; 4x1hr seminars over eleven weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.
This is one of the Level 3 options in Philosophy and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Grade D3 or above in one of the Philosophy level 2 courses or at the discretion of the Head of Philosophy. 

PHIL4024 Moral Philosophy.

The standard assessments for this course are:  

■ Essay (1,800 words) - 40%

■ Examination (2-hour duration) - 60%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There is no alternative to the Essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ There is no alternative to the Written Examination, but extra time and/or a separate room may be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for examination adjustments).  

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor 

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ study a number of major issues in contemporary ethics;

■ study and critically engage with core positions and arguments within ethics, including meta-ethics, such as: realism; antirealism; constructivism; sensibility theories;

■ Compare and critically evaluate competing accounts of moral discourse and behaviour.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain the main theses of important philosophical theories of morality and moral discourse;

■ Assess the arguments offered both in support of and against the central theories;

■ Explain and critically evaluate explanations of moral discourse and behaviour.