Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title MORAL PHILOSOPHY
Code PHIL239
Coordinator Dr SA Hailwood
Philosophy
Hailwood@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2013-14 Level Two First Semester 15

Aims

The aim of this module is to help students understand some important debates within moral philosophy, including normative and applied ethics, and to analyse some key concepts and arguments involved in such debates.


Learning Outcomes

Students will have read and discussed selected texts of importance in shaping debates in moral philosophy.  They will have analysed some key concepts and gained some appreciation of the variety of philosophical issues raised by morality and ethical issues raised by a range of controversial practices, such as punishment, abortion, euthanasia and the treatment of nonhuman animals.  They will have further improved their ability to analyse concepts and arguments, as well as their IT, writing and oral skills.


Syllabus
1 

Intoduction - Practical reasoning, objectivity and impartiality

2 

Equal respect vs maximising the good

3 

Pleasure and punishment

4 

Life and death: abortion

5 

Life and death: euthanasia

6 

INDEPENDENT STUDY WEEK:  no lectures and no seminars in Philosophy

7 

Integrity, moral demands and global hunger

8 

Rules & virtues

9 

Virtues & institutions

10 

Speciesism

11 

Animals & virtues

12 

Overview


Teaching and Learning Strategies

One lecture and one seminar per week. Seminar discussion of set readings and of the lecture contents and other material made available through VITAL. One to one discussion of feedback provided on their coursework essays and a weekly module-specific office hour.


Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 11

 11

       1
Feedback discussion
23
Timetable (if known) Daytime
  		Daytime
  		         
Private Study 127
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Exam  2 hours  1  60  Standard University Policy applies.     
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Essay  2000 words  1  30  Standard University Policy applies.  Standard University Policy applies.   
Presentation  10-15 minutes  1  10  No  Late submission is not possible   

Recommended Texts

Core texts:

Rachels, J. The Elements of Moral Philosophy

Rachels, J. & Rachels S (eds) The Right Thing to Do

Recommended texts:

Singer, P (ed). A Companion to Ethics

Singer, P. (ed) Ethics

LaFollette, H. (ed) Ethics in Practice: an Anthology

Williams, B. Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy


Benn, P. Ethics