Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To introduce students to the disciplines of moral philosophy, ethics and history of ideas and the study of the intellectual foundations of Western thought.

Students will be introduced to and encouraged to reflect upon some of the key ideas and conceptual systems from the history of European thought, from the pre-Socratics to the dawn of the Enlightenment. The lectures will discuss the contrast between the Ancient and Modern scientific worldviews, study the relationship between philosophical concepts and the historical and material conditions of society which gave birth to them, look at the origin of modern scientific method and also interrogate the theories of knowledge, metaphysics and methodology of prominent thinkers from the Western tradition.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Consequentialism
2. Aristotle’s virtue ethics
3. Deontology
4. Natural law and rights
5. Moral scepticism and emotivism
6. Applied Ethics

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be:

•       acquainted with key moments in European thought and with the foundations of the Enlightenment project;
•       able to identify the basic positions, ideas of and problems with at least two thinkers or schools of thought;
•       able to articulate the relationship between philosophical ideas and the cultural and material conditions of society; familiar with the central problems of moral philosophy and ethics;
•       acquainted with the origin and nature of ethical method.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will:

•       be able to independently read and comprehend texts from the history of ideas;
•       orally and verbally express and discuss philosophical ideas and concepts;
•       have acquired basic orientation and communication skills enabling them at a basic level to separate and assess different systems of thought originating in the periods covered by this course.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures convey the underlying philosophical, cultural and socio-political thoughts and practices characteristic of the European tradition as a foundation for further future consideration of the Enlightenment project. The content of the course will be supported by extracts from original texts, illustrations, examples, historical knowledge and slides in lectures and by structured discussion sessions where students will reinforce knowledge and develop dialogue and communication skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The student chooses a title from a choice of up to four questions. These questions encourage independent research using the lecture content as a foundation and makes it possible to assess knowledge acquisition, interpretive skill and theoretical understanding as well as the analytical, creative and critical potential of students. The essay tests the ability to think creatively, self-critically and independently as well as managing one’s own work to set time limits.

Should students pick the second assessment option, they will be able to work collaboratively for a proportion of their grade. Such opportunities are in keeping with the university's skills framework and are not offered in many other PHI modules.
The collaborative commentary, produced in groups of three or four, will thematically link a set of essays on a similar philosophical theory or applied ethical issue. Such commentaries are common in academic work (such as journals or edited collections) and offer students the chance to engage with such practices as undergraduates.
It also allows students to engage with a smaller topic in more depth in their individual essays, and pushes them to engage with contemporary scholarship on the thematic theory or issue.

General Notes

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