Philosophy

Applied ethics deals with specific moral problems of fundamental importance for today’s individual and society. This branch of ethics covers areas such as animal rights, medical ethics, environmental ethics, and corporate ethics. This course discusses questions such as: Do humans and animals have a different moral status? Can eating meat be morally justified? Are there any moral reasons for allowing euthanasia?  How should one balance different values and demands in care work when it comes to the sharing of resources? Are we morally obliged to fight climate change? How should we as individuals deal with the environmental as well as the economic changes which the globalization makes us face? Can today’s economic system be justified? The content of the course may vary from one semester to another, something which means that often different topics will be discussed each time the course is given. Applied ethics also covers methodological questions regarding how to discuss and conclude as far as moral problems are concerned.

This course examines questions related to human action, its goals, and moral judgment in light of classical thought and contemporary ethical dilemmas. Topics include: the questions of ethics; foundational models of ethics; free action and practical judgment. 

This course considers a variety of issues in contemporary philosophy of art and literature. Topics include the ontology of art, interpreting literary and other artworks, the nature of metaphor, the relationship between art and morality, truth and sincerity as criteria of literary and artistic value, and the definition of art and literature. DP requirements: Regular attendance at lectures and tutorials; completion of all tests, submission of all essays and assignments by due dates, and an average mark of at least 35% for the coursework. Assessment: Coursework counts 40%; one 3-hour examination in October/November counts 60%. Course entry requirements: At least second-year status.