Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit introduces students to key debates and theories in the contemporary field of ethics (or moral philosophy). It provides a critical introduction to some of the key ethical theories developed in the history of philosophy and explores how these theories interact with accounts of human nature, community, and the good life. Through the frequent use of current examples or case studies of current ethical problems and debates, students are enabled to engage with a variety of approaches, and to develop reasoned positions of their own. The unit aims to strengthen students’ critical thinking and philosophical acumen, and to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage constructively and critically in important debates.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Demonstrate comprehension of some central problems...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically analyse these debates and theories, not...
Learning Outcome 02
Demonstrate appropriate skills in philosophical re...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Ethics, happiness and the good life
- Issues in metaethics such as:
- The concept of ethical realism
- Other accounts of moral disagreement: scepticism, cultural relativism, subjectivism and ethical realism
- The problem of the nature of ethics: egoism, rationalism, intuitivism
- Ethics and religion
- Other topics may include: the problem of moral luck; and issues in moral psychology concerning freedom, emotion, conscience and intentions.
- Models of normative ethics:
- Utilitarianism and other forms of consequentialism;
- Deontological ethics;
- Virtue ethics;
- Natural Law Approaches;
- Other models may include contractarianism; ethics of care.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy for this unit is designed to facilitate broad engagement across the topics covered, while also requiring deeper engagement with one of the unit topics in particular. The online quiz is designed to check that students have a solid working understanding of key items of terminology pertaining to philosophical ethics, and/or major theories of normative ethics. The short written task that follows requires students to explicate and analyse a key text in this field, thereby applying their understanding of terms and theories, while also developing and demonstrating critical analytical skills. Finally, the research essay provides students with the opportunity to undertake sustained philosophical reading and research, culminating in an extended piece of formal writing that examines their capacity to develop a coherent argument in response to an important philosophical question.
Overview of assessments
Online Test (Open book) Requires students to demo...
Online Test (Open book)
Requires students to demonstrate advanced understanding of key terms and theories in metaethics and/or normative ethics.
20%
Written analysis task Requires students to criti...
Written analysis task
Requires students to critically engage with text/s dealing with metaethics or normative ethics.
30%
Research Essay Requires students to critically an...
Research Essay
Requires students to critically analyse an important issue in applied ethics and to develop a coherent and reasoned position in response.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
ACU Online
This unit will be delivered in online mode using an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.