After an initial examination of some of the personal reactions of members of the class to issues such as commodification, self-interest, ethical subjectivism and cultural relativism, and at philosophical issues to which they give rise, the course will engage with some significant contemporary approaches to the understanding of ethical theory. We will look, in turn, at utilitarianism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics. In each case, we will look at some of the (recent) historical background to these views, at philosophical issues to which they give rise, and to some of the contemporary debate about them. We will also look at issues concerning the epistemology of ethics and (briefly) at some meta-ethics, at issues of feminism and ethics, at Wittgenstein and 'Wittgensteinian ethics', and at the problem of evil.

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. identify some main contemporary theoretical approaches to ethics

2. understand something of the debate about their pros and cons

3. have articulated, and have received critical feedback upon, their own understanding of these issues in both written and spoken form

Engagement with response to initial questions, 500 words 10% (Learning Outcome 3)

Initial essay 1,500 words 35% (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3); there will be a prior opportunity to receive unassessed feedback on an essay plan

Major essay 2,500 words 45% (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3)

Tutorial performance 10% (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3)

One philosophy course or permission of the Coordinator.

Rachels, J, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill