The Nature of Moral Understanding MSc (P02783)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : PPL-P-NatofMora

The central question with which this course is concerned is: what is the nature of the understanding someone has when they engage with their moral concerns. These moral concerns are considered to arise in relatively ordinary situations of the kinds presented in life, literature and film. These situations include decisions about what to do, wondering how to live, questions of whether one is under a moral obligation, contemplation of shame or guilt.

Shared with UG course U04149 The Nature of Moral Understanding

Venue: 3.11 Dugald Stewart Building

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Philosophy, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
23/09/2008	11:00	13:00			3.11 Dugald Stewart Building

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the course successfully will be able to:
i) show an understanding of the nature of moral thinking and reasoning
ii) explain the commonality and difference of moral thinking with other kinds of thought
iii) describe the varieties of moral engagement beyond action and reasoning
iv) discuss inter-relation between ethical phenomena, normative moral claims, and meta-ethical claims
v) contrast different ways of making moral arguments and discuss the limits to formalising such arguments
vi) set out accounts of how value and obligation are derivable from ordinary experience
vii) demonstrate a familiarity with primary and secondary authors in post-war moral philosophy

The transferable skills students will develop in this course include a capacity to read with an analytical goal, written communication skills, oral communication skills, the ability to present an argument or considerations in favour of a preferred conclusion and crucially the capacity for taking notes on a discussion while participating in it.