Ethics

What is ethics? What constitutes a good life? Is ethics simply a reflection of our emotions and of convention, or may conceptions of right and wrong be justified? Can there be a solution when cultures and values clash? How is ethics related to facts? This course provides a systematic approach to ethical issues of the above kind. The emphasis is on contemporary theories and principles within normative ethics. Key topics to be addressed: Relativism and realism; subjectivism and objectivism; the "is"-"ought" gap; determinism and free will; Deontology (Kantianism); Utilitarianism; rights-based ethics; virtue ethics and ethics of care; feelings and ethics; and the relationship between theoretical and applied ethics, in the light of contemporary fields such as the ethics of war, medical ethics and animal ethics.

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

The candidate has

• knowledge of basic issues within normative ethics and metaethics
• knowledge of key ethical theories, principles and concepts

Skills

The candidate can

• use key ethical theories, principles and concepts in the field of applied ethics
• argue in an ethical manner, including scrutiny of own viewpoints

Lectures, groups, seminar and self-study. In order to sit the exam, students must attend the seminar for specialization in applied ethics and submit and get approved one written assignment (1600-3200 words, 12-point Times New Roman, 1.5 line spacing.) The written assignment is only given in the semester when the subject is taught, but is valid for this and the subsequent semester.