Moral Theories

Overview

This module explores both the status and content of morality. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources, it addresses a broad range of metaethical and normative questions, including: can morality be objective? Are moral judgments based on feeling? Are there any reasons to be moral? Is moral truth relative to particular cultures or societies? What makes right acts right? Does the end justify the means? Are there any absolute restrictions on human conduct? Is happiness all that matters? Do animals have rights?

Learning Objectives

Students should be able to give a brief history of ethical theory from ancient times together with a more detailed discussion of some twentieth century moral philosophers who have been most influential in modern thought about ethics.

Skills

An understanding of the nature of practical reasoning. Learning to discuss rationally and dispassionately moral views which one may find personally abhorrent.

Assessment

None