(in Polish) Ethics B

obligatory courses

This course presents modern theoretical ethics, with references to historical ethical theories.

This course presents modern theoretical ethics, with references to historical ethical theories. The main topics are: the structure of normative thinking, methods of argumentation in ethics, value judgments, the problem of truth and cognition in ethics, justification of moral judgments, the debates between cognitivism and non-cognitivism, realism and anti-realism, as well as internalism and externalism about reasons.

Ethical Theory. Classic and Contemporary Readings, fourth edition, Louis P. Pojman, (ed.), Wadsworth 2002.

A. J. Ayer, “Emotivism”, ET 419-424.

R.M. Hare, “Prescriptivism: The Structure of Ethics and Morals”, ET 425-432.

G. Harman, The Nature of Morality: An Introduction to Ethics, OUP 1977, chapter 1 & 2 or

“Ethics and Observation” and “Moral Relativism Defended” in ET 31-43.

B. Williams, “Internal and External Reasons”, in Moral Luck, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981, 101–13.

J. Mackie, “The Subjectivity of Values”, ET 22-30.

N. Sturgeon, “Moral Explanations”, ET 474-485.

J. Rawls, A Theory of Justice, Cambridge, Mass., Belknap Press of Harvard University

Press, Cambridge, Mass. 1971; sections 1-11.

S. Street, "Constructivism about Reasons". Oxford Studies in Metaethics, 2008.

GEM Anscombe, „Modern Moral Philosophy,” Philosophy. The Journal of the

Royal Institute of Philosophy 124 (1958): 1-19.

P. Foot, “Moral Beliefs”, Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 59(1): 83–104, 1959.

I. Murdoch, The Sovereignty of Good, Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1970 (fragments).

D. Davidson, “How is Weakness of the Will Possible?”, in Essays on Actions and Events, Oxford: Clarendon Press.

T. Nagel, “Moral Luck”, in Mortal Questions, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1979.

W. Quinn, “Actions, Intentions, and Consequences: The Doctrine of Double Effect”, ET 3018-327.

Having completed the course, the student knows and understands

- the role of philosophical reflection in cultural processes.

- the relations between the principal domains of philosophy, as well as the main currents within these domains.

- the methods of interpreting philosophical texts.

Having completed the course, the student is able to

- read and interpret philosophical texts.

- analyze philosophical arguments, identify their principal theses and premises and the relations between them.

- apply basic logical methods, as well as typical strategies of argumentation.

- identify and analyze the principal theses of a given philosophical text.

Having completed the course, the student is ready to

- accept new ideas and change his or her opinions in the light of new data and arguments.

- confront the ethical problems of taking responsibility for the quality of philosophical inquiry and debate.

Active participation in group discussions.

Written essay on a topic related to the program of the course.

Oral exam.

Acceptable number of missed classes without formal explanation: 2