Ethical Theory - PHI00082I
Module summary
When thinking about what to do in particular situations, it might be good to think about broad ethical principles and general ideas about our obligations and about how to live. And aside from that, it might be philosophically interesting to consider the relationships between value, obligation, praiseworthiness and a host of other moral concerns. This module explores those things, looking in detail at some broad ethical theories and more quickly at others, and considering the relationship between moral obligation and various other things like knowledge and possibility.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2025-26 |
Module aims
The module begins by considering, in some detail, various forms of consequentialism (of which utilitarianism is the most famous, but far from the only, variety). We will consider challenges arising from uncertainty, demandingness, and the difficulties associated with different ideas about what counts as the best outcome. After several weeks exploring this kind of ethical theory, we move on to consider non-consequentialist ethical theories, and the virtues. We end, in the last few weeks of the module, by considering some general issues such as whether one can have obligations to do what is impossible. The aim of the module is not to investigate particular problems in applied ethics, but to consider ethical theories and theoretical issues which structure our thinking about what to do in particular situations.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- understand and explain a range of key problems, issues, and debates in ethical theory and express this understanding in clear, precise, and accessible terms;
- develop and articulate ranges of alternative solutions to problems and issues in ethical theory in an open-minded way, drawing on module materials;
- develop and articulate arguments for the alternative solutions considered in relation to problems and issues in ethical theory, drawing on module materials, identifying some points of weakness and some potential points for development;
- make a judgement about what is the best view on a particular problem in ethical theory and argue in defence of this judgement;
- identify some of their strengths and weaknesses by evaluating their own work in relation to departmental marking criteria;
- apply simple strategies for improving their work, based on critical reflection, advice, and feedback;
- critically engage with social, political, cultural, ethical, and value issues to contribute to the solution of key contemporary problems.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Module feedback
All formative and summative feedback to be returned within University and Departmental guidelines.
Indicative reading
- Philip Pettit, ‘The Consequentialist Perspective’
- Frank Jackson, ‘Decision-Theoretic Consequentialism and the Nearest and Dearest Objection'
- Elizabeth Anscombe, ‘Mr Truman’s Degree’
- Nomy Arpaly, Unprincipled Virtue: An Inquiry into Moral Agency
- Julia Annas, Intelligent Virtue
- Ruth Barcan Marcus, ‘Moral Dilemmas and Consistency’