Ethical Theory

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

One of the following subjects is recommended but not required:

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/

This subject critically studies the three classical approaches to moral philosophy: Aristotle 'virtue ethics, Immanuel Kant' deontology, and John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism. As well as examining works by these great thinkers, we look at debates among the contemporary heirs to the traditions they started.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• understand the main approaches to the nature of morality, including understanding the historical antecedents to important contemporary approaches to the nature of morality;
• be able to charitably reconstruct arguments from classic philosophical texts and evalutate their strengths and weaknesses;
• become more able to defend, and not just coherently state, one's own position with regard to controversial questions in normative ethics;
• have acquired a background for one'w own further philosophical reflection on morality;
• work individually, and in groups, to create and test arguments.

A 2000 word essay, 50% (due mid-semester), a 2000 word take home exam, 50% (due in the examination period).

Hurdle Requirements: 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. After 5 working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Sahfer-Landau (ed) Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Blackwell 2007). This book will be available from the University bookshop at the start of semester.

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.