Teaching code

4S00765

Teacher

Giorgio Erle

Coordinatore

Giorgio Erle

Credits

12

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY

Period

Sem. 1A, Sem. 1B

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning objectives

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge of the great classics of moral philosophy and the main themes of the Western philosophical tradition emerging from them. It also aims to promote the development of the skills: to understand philosophical moral texts within their historical-critical framework and through a correct hermeneutic approach; to appropriately use a thoroughly philosophical terminology; and to produce individual reflection in order to formulate independent judgements on the genesis, nature and meaning of the addressed issues. Finally, these objectives are also understood in order to develop the ability to continue studies in a Master’s degree, and the ability to communicate philosophical contents to specialists and non-specialists alike.

Prerequisites and basic notions

There are no specific prerequisites for this course.

Program

The social dimension of virtue: two perspectives compared.
It will be proposed an interpretation and discussion from the point of view of moral philosophy on the social meaning of virtue, starting from a comparison between the perspective of Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics" and that of Kant's "Metaphysics of Morals". To this end the following points will be developed among others:
- The relationship between good, happiness and virtue according to Aristotle;
- Moral agency and virtue;
- Virtue and Will;
- Examples of virtues;
- Virtue and justice;
- The relationship between virtue, purposiveness and duty according to Kant;
- "Wide duties", happiness of others, philanthropy and respect;
- The "duties of love" according to Kant;
- The opposition between virtues and vices;
- The “virtues of society”;
- The moral understanding of friendship;
- Topics of discussion and comparison between the perspectives of Aristotle and Kant on virtue and its social dimension.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The teaching methods consist of lectures during which analysis, comment and discussion of the reference texts will take place, thus addressing the program contents in the perspective of the learning outcomes. After each lesson a short written conceptual summary of that lesson will be loaded on the e-learning platform of the University.
Lectures will be held face to face in the classroom. The same lectures will also be recorded and subsequently made available from time to time for later viewing in the e-learning of the course.
The reference texts listed in the “Bibliography” section are mandatory for both attending and non-attending students.

Learning assessment procedures

The exam consists, both for the attending and for the non-attending students, of an oral exam concerning the program and the mandatory reference texts indicated in the “Bibliography” section.

Evaluation criteria

In order to pass the exam, students will have to demonstrate that they have achieved the learning outcomes; therefore the following will be verified:
1) The knowledge and the interpretative skills acquired with respect to the mandatory reference texts and to the teaching program, in the light of a valid critical and hermeneutic approach to the texts themselves and to the addressed issues;
2) Skill to use a thoroughly philosophical terminology;
3) Skill to develop a reflection in the perspective of moral philosophy on the addressed issues.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The grade is single and will be expressed out of thirty at the end of the oral exam described above.

Exam language

Italiano.