Objectivity and Value

Subject PHIL30047 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 3 (2x 1 hour lectures each week and 1x 1 hour tutorial in weeks 2-12)
Total Time Commitment: An average of 8.5 hours each week.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: 12.5 points (one subject) of Philosophy at any level.
Non Allowed Subjects: Students who have completed 121-202 or 674-304 (Objectivity and Value) are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Associate Professor Chris Cordner

ccordner@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject explores the nature of value - including moral and ethical value, and aesthetic, religious and political value - in human life. Are such values capable of being objectively true or real, or are they essentially 'subjective', having no ground or warrant outside the individual, or perhaps the cultural choosing of them? Or is this whole picture of the alternative ways of thinking about value a mistaken picture? If so, where does the truth about value lie?
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject will

  • be able to apply a range of basic philosophical concepts that have been used to explain the value-orientation of human life and activity
  • have developed a deeper appreciation of what it means to be a human being living a distinctively human life
  • be able to bring this appreciation to bear on their other academic studies, and also on the living of their own lives
Assessment: A written assignment of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester) and a 2-hour closed-book written examination 50% (held at the end of semester). This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop at the beginning of semester.
Recommended Texts:

The coordinator may recommend further reading during the course of the semester .

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will

  • have developed their powers of critical and analytical thinking, and be able to apply these powers to problems and issues in other areas of philosophy, and in other disciplines
  • have acquired a greater capacity both to articulate and express their thoughts, and also to communicate them clearly and directly
  • have an increased understanding of the impact of social, ethical and cultural context on many areas of human activity
Links to further information: http://www.philosophy.unimelb.edu.au/
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy Major
Philosophy and Social Theory
Related Breadth Track(s): Ethics && Political Philosophy

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