Bachelor of Arts (BA) - The University of Hong Kong

282PHIL2511.Paradoxes (6 credits)(This course is also offered to second and third year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadeningpurposes.)Paradoxes are arguments which proceed from highly plausible assumptions, through highly plausibleand usually simple steps to highly implausible conclusions. Some examples: Zeno's paradoxes ofmotion, Kant's antinomies, the Liar and the paradox of the surprise examination. What such paradoxesshow is that there is something deeply wrong with some of our most fundamental ways of thinking. Weshall attempt to find solutions to certain of these paradoxes.Assessment: 100% coursework (may include in-class test).The prerequisite for this course is PHIL1006. Elementary logic.Group III: Moral and Political PhilosophyPHIL2310.Theories of morality (6 credits)(This course is also offered to second and third year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadeningpurposes.)This course covers some of the main highlights of 20th century moral philosophy, with passing attentionto some of the earlier, historical background as needed. Questions covered include: Is morality relativeor absolute? Can a moral practice be right in one culture but wrong in another? Is morality basically aform of personal or social opinion, or is there any way it can be made objective or even scientific? Ifmorality is not science, is there any rational way of resolving moral disputes? Perspectives consideredinclude religious and nature-based theories, performative theories, rational intuitionism, utilitarianismand modern theories of justice.Assessment: 100% coursework (may include in-class test).PHIL2340.Moral problems (6 credits)(This course is also offered to second and third year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadeningpurposes.)Many practical problems give rise to moral controversies. Among the questions to be considered in thiscourse are 'Should one person treat all others equally?'; 'Is abortion a type of killing, and is itacceptable?', 'Should certain types of pornography be banned?'; 'Does love require fidelity?', 'Cancapital punishment be justified?'; 'Is it right to take affirmative action in favour of groups who have beendiscriminated against in the past?'; 'Should old people be helped to die, if that is what they wish?'. Theseare all 'large-scale' questions, but we shall also be discussing less grand, but no less important moraldilemmas that we each confront from time to time.Assessment: 100% coursework (may include in-class test).PHIL2430.Chinese philosophy: ethics (6 credits)(This course is also offered to second and third year non-BA students for inter-Faculty broadeningpurposes.)An introduction to comparative moral philosophy, with readings drawn from the classical Chinesetradition as well as from modern, analytical sources. Figures likely to be taken up include Confucius,Mencius, Mo Tzu and Han Fei Tzu. Attention will be given to the historical development of Chinesemoral thinking through these key representatives. Questions to be taken up include the question ofwhether traditional Chinese thought can have relevance to us in the modern world, and how our beliefsabout our nature may shape our beliefs about what is moral or immoral.Assessment: 100% coursework (may include in-class test).