Universität Wien

180092 VO-L Reasons (2023W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Moodle

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Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The lecture on 10.11.2023 will take place via Zoom from 10.00 to 11.30 on the same date.

  • Friday 13.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 20.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 27.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 03.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 10.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 17.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 24.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 01.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 15.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 12.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 19.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Friday 26.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this course, we focus on several debates concerning various types of reasons in meta-ethics, normative ethics and philosophy of action. Most philosophers distinguish at least between normative reasons and motivating reasons. Roughly, normative reasons are reasons that favor or justify an action, whereas motivating reasons are reasons the agent takes to favor or justify her action and that guide her behavior. The nature of reasons is related in important ways to philosophy of action, to (normative) ethics, to political philosophy and the philosophy of law.
We will look at questions such as:
- What different types of reasons are there and what role do they play in various theories?
- What exactly are normative reasons?
- Are normative reasons necessarily connected to motivation (internal vs. external reasons)? Are normative reasons subjective or objective?
- How are normative reasons connected to concepts such as rationality or value?
- How do reasons connect with epistemology? Are there purely epistemic reasons?
- How do reasons relate to (human) action? What is the nature of motivating reasons and explanatory reasons? Are such reasons psychological states?

Assessment and permitted materials

There will be an in-person written exam. The exam will consist of multiple choice questions and essay questions.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The grades are distributed as follows:
1: 87-100 points
2: 75-86 points
3: 63-74 points
4: 50-62 points
5: 0-49 points

Examination topics

Reasons. Value Theory. Meta-ethics. Philosophy of Action

Reading list

To be announced in the first class. The reading list will consist of articles and selected passages of books.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: We 17.01.2024 10:46