Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:09
What does it mean to live a good life? How do we determine what is good or bad, right or wrong? Are some ways of living better or worse for us? In this course we will look at some central philosophical approaches to answering these questions. Traditions we may engage with include virtue ethics, Chinese ethics, deontology, consequentialism, and feminist ethics. Along the way, we will read the original work of some of the most important scholars in the history of moral philosophy. Students will be encouraged to think deeply, and to explore their own views about what it means to live a (morally) good life.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 1 |
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| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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What does it mean to live a good life? How do we determine what is good or bad, right or wrong? Are some ways of living better or worse for us?
In this introductory ethics course, we will look at some central philosophical approaches to answering these questions. Traditions we may engage with include virtue ethics, Chinese ethics, deontology, consequentialism, and feminist ethics. These approaches make radically different recommendations about how to live, from developing a good character, to roaming freely and being open to alternative perspectives, to following fundamental moral rules, to bringing about good overall outcomes, to acting responsibly in relations of interdependence with others. Assessing the merits and shortcomings of these divergent accounts will be one of our key tasks in this course.
Along the way, we will read the original work of some of the most important scholars in the history of moral philosophy, such as Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Kant, and Mill. We may also explore some engaging contemporary texts, like influential work in feminist ethics.
Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to think deeply, discuss complex ethical topics openly and charitably, and explore their own views about how to live a good life.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | Word Count | 1500 | ||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | Word Count | 1500 | ||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Factual | Remember | ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide. |
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