Teaching code

4S00765

Teacher

Giorgio Erle

Coordinator

Giorgio Erle

Credits

12

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY

Period

Sem. 1A, Sem. 1B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

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

Moral Law and autonomy of the will according to Immanuel Kant.

It will be proposed an interpretation and discussion from the perspective of moral philosophy on the relationship between moral law the autonomy of the human will, taking Kant’s “Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals” and “Critique of Practical Reason” as a reference. To this end, these points will be developed, among other things:
- Understanding “good will” and “duty” by Kant;
- The distinction between autonomy and heteronomy of the will as a fundamental aspect establishing Metaphysics of morals;
- categorical imperative and hypothetical imperative;
- freedom as origin of the autonomy of the will and relationship between moral low and freedom;
- the “extreme limit” of practical philosophy according to Kant;
- The relationship between Practical Reason and Critical Philosophy as a system;
- Categorical imperative and practical judgement;
- Feeling of respect;
- The Good as the object of practical reason.

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.