Philosophy MA/BSc/MA(SocSci)
Moral Philosophy PHIL4024
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Humanities
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course introduces students to central issues and arguments in contemporary ethics.
Timetable
16x1hr lectures, 4x1hr seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Philosophy and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ 2 x 1500 word essays (80%)
■ 1 x 1000 word portfolio (20%)
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:
■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions).
Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor. 
Course Aims
This course aims to:
■ introduce students to the central issues and arguments in contemporary ethics.
■ enable students to understand and engage with contemporary theories of moral judgements.
■ introduce students to contemporary theories on the nature of moral properties.
■ enable students to grasp and evaluate accounts of moral reasoning.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
■ Expound and critically assess doctrines in moral philosophy.
■ Apply different accounts of morality.
■ Identify and evaluate different positions within normative/meta-ethics.