Introduction to Ethics and Metaethics

The course introduces the subject field and the study program in ethics. In the course we study and practice philosophical thinking, critical knowledge acquisition, and academic argumentation. The course will provide an initial understanding of the methodology and theoretical basics of ethics as an academic discipline, the role of the study of ethics in academia and society, and the academic competence the ethics study provides. The course offers an overview of the history and fields of ethics, theories and approaches, some key meta-ethical issues, as well as a small selection of contemporary ethical topics.

According to the course curriculum, a candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge:

• knowledge of requirements for academic writing in philosophy
• overview of the field of ethics
• understanding of the role of the study of ethics in academia and society

Skills:

• perceive, analyse, and discuss ethical issues with a philosophical approach
• critically evaluate and apply different sources of knowledge
• write argumentative texts that meet academic requirements

Lecture, writing seminar, exercises, guidance and self-study.

The compulsory activity can only be carried out in the semester in which teaching is given in the subject but is valid both in this and the following semester.