00393 - Moral Philosophy (M-Z)

Learning outcomes

Students are expected to acquire knowledge of the main issues of moral philosophy and their relationship with metaphysics and politics.

Course contents

This course provides an introduction to the major approaches in normative ethics and key issues in moral psychology. The approach integrates historical and theoretical analysis.

The course is divided into the following four sections:

• Metaethics
• Normative ethics
• Moral psychology
• Focus: genealogy and critique of moral values.

Readings/Bibliography

I. Introductory readings

• Donatelli, P. (2015), Etica. I classici, le teorie e le linee evolutive, Torino, Einaudi: Ch. I (Platone); Ch. II (Aristotele); Ch. X (Hume e Smith); Ch. XI (Kant); Ch. XIII (Mill); Ch. XIV (Nietzsche)
• Selection of excerpts from Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Smith, Kant, Mill, and Nietzsche (available on Virtuale).

II. Focus

• Friedrich Nietzsche, Genealogia della morale, Adelphi edition.
• Sigmund Freud, Il disagio della civiltà, Bollati Boringhieri edition.
• Selection of excerpts on genealogy (uploaded on Virtuale during the course).

NB All readings are mandatory.

For non-attending students: De Caro, M., Magni, S. F., Vaccarezza, M. S. (2021), Le sfide dell’etica, Milano, Mondadori: Ch. 4 (Oggettività); Ch. 7 (Relatività); Ch. 8 (Dovere); Ch. 9 (Utilità); Ch. 10 (Virtù).

Teaching methods

Lectures and discussion. Students are encouraged to participate in lecture discussions. If some passages in the lecture and texts are unclear, a meeting with the lecturer during the office hours can be arranged.

Assessment methods

Students will be evaluated on the basis of a written examination which consists of

• A multiple-choice test (15 questions concerning the readings listed as introductory in the Bibliography)
• Open question (concerning the focus)

Successful completion of the multiple-choice test is a prerequisite for entering the open-question test. This means that those who do not successfully score the multiple-choice test do not have to continue with the open-question answer. Under no circumstances will the answer to the open-ended question be evaluated without a successful completion of the multiple-choice test.

A pass (9/15) on the multiple-choice test is required in order to access the open question.

Open question – assessment criteria and breakdown of final mark:

• comprehension of prescribed texts (knowledge of content and ability to report the most relevant information), thematic relevance and clarity of expression: 10 marks.
• language, style, and accuracy in written communication: 6 marks.

The total time available is 45 minutes for the multiple-choice test and 45 minutes for answering the open question.
The final grade is calculated by adding the score achieved in the multiple-choice test (max 15 points) and the score achieved in the open-question test (max 16 points).

Achieving all 31 marks (15/15 + 16/16) will entitle the student to a grade of 30 e lode.

Students who achieve a pass mark (i.e., student who score at least 18 points) may resit to improve that mark only once.

It is not possible to switch from group M-Z to group A-L, nor vice versa. The only exception is for international students/students.

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page:
https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

Further readings will be provided via Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Santarelli