second year course outlines 2012-2013 - School of Social Sciences ...

Examination period: Monday 13 th May 2013 – Friday 7 th June 2013
Re-sit Examination period: Monday 19 th August 2013 – Friday 31 st August 2013
Please read this course outline through very carefully as it provides essential information
needed by all students attending this course
This course guide should be read in conjunction with the Philosophy Study Guide.
Copies may be obtained from the Undergraduate Office, G.001 Arthur Lewis Building or from
the SoSS intranet at: http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/intranet/ug/handbooks/
2. ABOUT THE COURSE
Summary
This course will focus on four questions of ethics: (i) which sorts of things are of ethical value
and disvalue? (people? their actions? their intentions? their characters? the situations that
they get themselves into?), (ii) what does their possessing this value demand of us? (e.g.
that we bring about the greatest happiness of the greatest number? that we treat others as
ends, not means? that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us?), (iii) how do
these demands motivate our actions (e.g. by arousing our passions, or our reason?), and (iv)
why does it matter to us that these demands are met (i.e. why do we care about the
demands that are made by morality)?
Aims
The course aims to:
• Guide students’ development in thinking philosophically about ethics.
• Familiarise students with some important writings in contemporary philosophical ethics.
• Enhance students’ ability to present and discuss philosophical issues orally, and their
ability to present philosophical ideas and arguments in written work.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course unit, students will be able to demonstrate:
• Knowledge and understanding of some of the main texts and ideas in contemporary ethics.
• The ability to critically engage with these texts and ideas.
• The ability to present and discuss orally the examined ideas.
103