Free Will and Moral Responsibility (U04119)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PPL-3-U04119

The course covers the main issues in the philosophical debates about freedom, determinism, and moral responsibility. Among the more specific topics that may be addressed: Formulations of determinism; historical responses; Frankfurt style examples (designed to show that moral responsibility for an action does not require the ability to act differently); Strawson?s account of the reactive emotions; compatibilist theories about the nature of responsibility and freedom; moral luck; the difference between excuses and justifications; the relevance of ignorance; collective responsibility.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : 2a or 2b

Subject Areas

Home subject area

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

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

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

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
15/01/2009	14:00	15:50			Dugald Stewart Building, Room G.06

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

To develop further the philosophical skills, and to extend as well as deepen the philosophical knowledge acquired in previous philosophy courses.

Assessment Information

This course will be assessed by one short (approx. 1500 word) essay (35%) due roughly half way through the semester, and a final ?take home? exam (65%).