Module description
This module will introduce students to the ethical theories of various 17th & 18th Century Moral Philosophers and will explain their significance for modern ethical theory. The course will relate their thought to continuing debates about moral rationality, sentiment, moral objectivity, moral virtue and moral obligation.
Assessment details
Summative assessment: 1 x 2,500-word essay (100%).
Formative assessment: 1 x 2,000-word essay
Educational aims & objectives
- To communicate an understanding of central ideas in the ethical thought of some past or contemporary moral philosophers.
- To situate each thinker in their context.
- To relate the work of each thinker to contemporary debates in ethical theory.
- To equip students to read critically and reflect upon central texts in moral theory, as well as introductory and secondary material.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, the students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 5 module and in particular will be able to exhibit:
- A capacity for ethical argument.
- A knowledge of the ethical doctrines of some past or contemporary moral philosophers, and the similarities and differences between them.
- An understanding of the nature of some central problems in moral philosophy.
- An understanding of how problems in moral philosophy relate to human life.
Teaching pattern
One one-hour weekly lecture and one one-hour weekly seminar over ten weeks.