Universität Wien
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180022 LPS Theory & Ethics of Personal Identity (2023S)

5.00 ECTS (3.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 45 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 08.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 15.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 22.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 29.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 19.04. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 26.04. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 03.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 10.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 17.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 24.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 31.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 07.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 14.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 21.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 28.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

During your life, there have been and will be many different lumps of human-shaped organic matter, all of which are you. These yous are all quite different. They have different physical properties - Your body age 5 is much smaller than your body now. They have different psychological properties - Your beliefs, hopes and desires will change many times in your life. What, then, makes all these different human-shaped lumps the same person? What ties all the various stages of yourself together?

Theories of Personal Identity attempt to answer these questions, they provide an account of what makes a person the same person over time. In the first part of this course we'll learn about a number of theories of personal identity: The Memory Criterion, The Body Criterion, The Soul Criterion, and the Biological and Psychological Continuity Theories.

There are many ethical claims which rest on claims about personal identity. We allow people to make medical decisions about their future selves, for instance. Which theory of personal identity is correct will therefore have meaningful ethical implications.

In the second half of the course we consider a number of ethical dilemmas, and how our theory of personal identity might impact those dilemmas. We will cover (at least): advanced directives, abortion, and (medical) consent and moral responsibility in the case of dissociative identity disorder.

Note: We are going to discuss a number of emotionally loaded ethical topics in this course. As part of the course we will have a discussion about how to discuss topics like these in a safe and productive manner. By signing up to this course you are agreeing to be respectful and considerate of your classmates during discussions on emotional issues and to abide by group rules around these discussions.

Assessment and permitted materials

(1) There will be a mid-semester assessment where you are asked to summarize the theories of personal identity. This will ordinarily be completed in groups during one of the lessons, but there will be an option to complete this individually as well.
(2) There will be an end-of-semester quiz containing some short-form questions and a mini-essay.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Timely completion of the assessments. Attendance and participation in class.

Examination topics

The first assessment will be on the theories of personal identity. The second assessment will cover the content of the entire course.

Reading list

Main text - Personal Identity and Ethics: A Brief Introduction, David Schoemaker (https://philpapers.org/rec/SHOPIA-3).
Scans of the relevant sections will be uploaded to Moodle but it is recommended that you purchase a copy of this book, if possible.

Secondary reading will be made available via Moodle.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Tu 14.03.2023 11:29