Universität Wien

180175 SE Central texts and topics in practical philosophy (2025W)

5.00 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. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 16.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 23.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 30.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 06.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 13.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 20.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 27.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 04.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 11.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 18.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 08.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 15.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 22.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 29.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar is a fast-track overview for Masters students with little or no background in practical philosophy. The primary aim of the seminar is to introduce students to the major sub-disciplines of practical philosophy, such as:

• Metaethics
• Normative Ethics
• Applied Ethics
• Political Philosophy
• Social ontology
• Feminist critical approaches

At the end of these seminars, you will be able to:

• Identify and navigate the main discussions in contemporary practical philosophy.
• Think philosophically and identify new areas of enquiry within practical philosophy.
• Write in a clinical, analytic style, enabling you to focus on one area of research – setting aside (often related) peripheral-questions.
• Independently find further study material related to each discipline as the need arises.

The seminar is designed specifically for the MA in Philosophy and Economics but is open to other MA students who find that they require additional classes in practical philosophy. The seminar is not intended for students who have completed substantial study in several of the above sub-disciplines – it is not a seminar that builds on existing foundations.

In large part, the seminar operates in the so-called “Analytic” tradition of philosophy. If your training in practical philosophy has been mostly in the “Continental” tradition, you may also find this seminar helpful.

Due to the role of the seminar in the MA Philosophy and Economics, topics focus on economics, where possible.

The seminar is taught and assessed in English and will feature extensive small group discussions. In preparation for each seminar, you will read the assigned core text and complete some short preparatory reading tasks and other research exercises on Moodle.

Assessment and permitted materials

1. An essay outline of 300-400 words (including bibliography), in which you propose an essay topic and structured outline on any topic from the seminar. Weight: 20%. Deadline: December 5, 2025, 23:59.

2. An essay of 1500-1700 words (including bibliography), on any topic from the seminar. The essay may, but need not, follow the essay outline or tackle the outline topic. Weight: 60%. Deadline: January 30, 2025, 23:59.

3. Weekly 'blurb' tasks. These are marked for completeness, not for correctness: what matters here is that you have seriously thought about the tasks and prepared for the seminar. Weight: 20%. Deadline: Each teaching week at noon on the day before the seminar. Tasks that are late without authorisation can at most score a grade of 4 (mere pass).

The essay outline and essay are to be submitted on Moodle, preferably as pdf file, with all identifying information (name, student ID) in the text, file name, and file metadata removed to facilitate anonymous marking. Delayed submissions get a marking penalty of +0.2 for each day (24h) of lateness, although this penalty does not lead to a failing grade. If your submission is delayed for reasons outside of your control, e.g. illness, please contact me via email as soon as possible.

It is NOT permissible to use any AI or LLM technology for the completion of these tasks. Anyone caught using such technologies are likely to face substantial consequences.

I will only look at and mark assessments after the deadline, irrespective of how early you submit, and will then mark them within four weeks. If you need your mark earlier, e.g. if you are on an exchange semester, please explicitly request this by email.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

A positive evaluation requires students to achieve a pass grade (4) in all three assessment components, and to actively attend the seminar. Two unauthorized absences will be excused. A pass grade in the weekly tasks requires a pass average and that the tasks have been completed on time for at least 60% of the seminars.

Examination topics

You can write your essay outline and essay on any topics linked to the seminar themes and texts. You are encouraged to develop their own research topics, and to consult with me on your writing plans.

Reading list

Anscombe, G. (1958). Modern Moral Philosophy. Philosophy, 1-19.
Aristotle. (n.d.). The Nicomachean Ethics.
Beckstead, N., & Ord, T. (2016). Bubbles under the Wallpaper: Healthcare Rationing and Discrimination. In H. Kuhse, U. Schüklenk, & P. Singer (Eds.), Bioethics: An Anthology 3rd Edition. Wiley.
Bentham, J. (1784). Principles of Morals and Legislation.
Bentham, J. (n.d.). Principles of Morals and Legislation.
Cholbi, M. (2018). The Duty to Work. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 21, 1119-1133.
Collins, S., & Ferracioli, L. (2020, August 21). Sex under lockdown, but not friendship? The discriminations of intimacy. Retrieved from ABC Religion and Ethics: https://www.abc.net.au/religion/sex-under-lockdown-but-not-friendship-victoria/12564864
Davies, B. (2019). Bursting Bubbles? QALYs and Discrimination. Utilitas, 191-202.
Gruen, L. (2011). Ethics and Animals: An Introduction.
Held, V. (1970). Can a Random Collection of Individuals be Morally Responsible. Journal of Philosophy, 471-481.
Husthouse, R. (2002). On Virtue Ethics.
Koltonski, D. (2016). A Good Friend Will Help You Move a Body: Friendship and the Problem of Moral Disagreement. The Philosophical Review, 125(4).
Korsgaard, C. (1996). The Sources of Normativity.
Korsgaard, C. (2009). Self-Constitution: Agency, Identity, and Integrity.
Langton, R. (1992). Duty and Desolation. Philosophy, 481-505.
Leffler, O. (2019). New Shmagency Worries. Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy, 121-145.
Müller, M. (2019). Emotional Labour: A Case of Gender Specific Exploitation. Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, 841-862.
Mason, C. (2021). What's Bad about Friendship with Bad People? Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 51(7), 523-534.
Midgley, M. (1981). Trying Out One's New Sword. In M. Midgley, Heart and Mind.
Mill, J. (n.d.). Utilitarianism.
Mulhall, S., & Swift, A. (1996). Liberals and Communitarians: Second Edition.
Rawls, J. (1991). A Theory of Justice (Revised Edition).
Taylor, C. (1989). Sources of the Self.
Velleman, D. (2015). Foundations for Moral Relativism.
White, S. (2020). Freedom, exit and basic income. In A. Eleveld, T. Kampen, & J. Arts, Welfare to Work in Contemporary European Welfare States. Polity Press.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: We 15.10.2025 21:46