Rationality, Responsibility, and Ethics

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• debate and criticise ideas and arguments in an even-handed fashion.
• interpret, synthesise and criticise complex texts and positions.
• articulate and defend your own views regarding the issues the module concerns.
• present ideas clearly and carefully.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• contribute to discussion in a critical but dispassionate way.
• undertake independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.
• express views clearly and concisely.
• work effectively to deadlines.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the issues raised by some of the above questions
• demonstrate a solid grasp of the concepts and arguments that they involve
• Relate the issues you explore in this module to those in other relevant modules.

The syllabus for this module may vary from year to year. It may include topics such as:

• The nature of intentional action
• Reasons for action
• The relationship between morality and rationality
• The relationship between reasons and rationality
• Praiseworthiness and blameworthiness

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• In-class discussion
• One-on-one consultation with module co-ordinator

Learning activities include

• Attending classes
• Contributing to class discussion
• Doing independent research for and writing assessed essays

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Julia Markovits (2014). Moral Reason. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Michael Smith (1994). The Moral Problem. Blackwell.

Eric Wiland (2012). Reasons, Continuum.

Elijah Millgram (2002). Varieties of Practical Reasoning. MIT Press.

Nomy Arpaly (2002). Unprincipled Virtue. Oxford University Press.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External