"Thou shalt not Kill" - An exploration of Levinasian ethics

Since the Enlightenment and 'the death of God', philosophy has faced the challenge of grounding morality and ethics from within the bounds of human existence. Without an external authority to guarantee the force of commandments such as 'thou shalt not kill', the issue arises as to whether ethical imperatives should be given any weight at all. Emmanuel Levinas is an important 20th century philosopher who makes the radical claim that not only should ethics be given weight as an area of serious consideration in philosophy, but that ethics is the ground, and should therefore be the first concern, of all philosophical investigation.

This course will consider the work of Emmanuel Levinas and its important place in the continental philosophical tradition.

1000 word short essay (25%); 

2000 word Major Essay (50%);

Ethics Diary presentation (15%);

Tutorial Participation (10%)

2  x 1 hour lectures per week plus a 1 hour tutorial.

At least four courses in philosophy or with the permission of the Coordinator