12 points
* 4 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
Objectives On completion of this subject students should bring a solid theoretical framework to the analysis and evaluation of issues in bioethics; recognise, analyse, and evaluate ethical arguments; think critically about assumptions underlying debates in bioethics and applied ethics and recognise that certain issues in ethical theory are of intrinsic interest and value.
Synopsis This subject aims to provide students with a basic understanding of ethical theory, as a foundation for their studies in bioethics. It deals with developments in meta-ethics since Hume, and with the three main traditional perspectives in normative ethics: utilitarianism, Kantianism, and virtue ethics.
Assessment Essay (2000 words): 20%
* Essay (4000 words): 50%
*
Take-home exam (2500 words): 30%
Preliminary reading
Charlesworth M Life, death, genes and ethics ABC Books, 1989
Nagel T What does it all mean? OUP, 1987
Prescribed texts
Different readings will be prescribed for each class. These readings are included in the book of set readings for PHL2150 (Ethics), which will be available for purchase in the first week of teaching from the Philosophy department general office, room 907, Menzies building. Alternatively, the readings will be available in the Main Library.
Recommended texts
Scheffler S (ed.) Consequentialism and its critics OUP, 1988
Singer P (ed.) A companion to ethics Blackwell, 1993
Smart J J C and Williams B Utilitarianism: For and against CUP, 1973
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