Universität Wien

180043 PS Moral Epistemology (2022S)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 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

ACHTUNG!! Der Termin am 05.04.2022 muss krankheitsbedingt leider entfallen

  • Tuesday 08.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 15.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 22.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 29.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 26.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 03.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 10.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 17.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 24.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 31.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 14.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 21.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
  • Tuesday 28.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

How do we know right from wrong? Does our knowledge of morality differ from scientific knowledge? Is it threatened by disagreement? This course introduces students to major positions and debates about moral epistemology. We will engage closely with seminal texts and contemporary literature. At the same time, we will work on developing philosophical skills: analyzing arguments, writing clearly, formulating questions, and participating constructively in discussion.

Assessment and permitted materials

There will be two short written assignments during the semester. The details will be on Moodle. Their purpose is to give you an opportunity to practice philosophical writing before you attempt a longer essay. In the first assignment, you will be asked to reconstruct an argument and evaluate it. You will receive a mark on this paper along with comments. You will also have a peer-review session at which you discuss it.

The second assignment will be to rewrite the paper in light of the comments you have received.

The final two sessions will be reserved for discussing presentations. For those sessions there will be no reading. Instead, you will be required to upload a short video in advance, which all seminar participants will watch in preparation for the seminar. This presentation (and the helpful comments you receive) will form the basis of your final essay.

Final essays will be due on Thursday June 30, 23:59.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

To receive a passing grade, students must attend complete all written assignment, do the presentation and submit a final essay.

The final grade will be a weighted average of the following components:
Participation: 10%
First written assignment: 10%
Second written assignment: 20%
Presentation: 10%
Final Essay: 50%

Successful completion of the course requires an overall grade of at least 4.

Examination topics

Reading list

Gilbert Harman, 'Ethics and Observation'
Nicholas Sturgeon, 'Moral Explanations'
Sarah McGrath, Moral Knowledge, Oxford 2019, Chapter 2 & 4
Iris Murdoch, The Sovereignty of Good, Routledge 1970, Chapter 1
Jessie Munton, 'Perceptual Skill and Social Structure', Philosophy and Phenomenological Research Vol. XCIX, 2019
Justin Clarke-Doane, 'Moral Epistemology, The Mathematics Analogy', Nous Vol. 48, 2014
Karen Jones, 'Second-Hand Moral Knowledge', The Journal of Philosophy Vol. 96, 1999
Alison Hills, 'Moral Testimony and Moral Epistemology', Ethics Vol. 120, 2009
Richard Joyce, 'Arguments from Moral Disagreement to Moral Scepticism'
J.L. Mackie, 'The subjectivity of values'
Katia Vavova, 'Moral Disagreement and Moral Scepticism', Philosophical Perspectives Vol. 28, 2014

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Tu 05.04.2022 10:08