PHL1070

Philosophy: life, death and morality

Aubrey Townsend and others

6 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Caulfield, Peninsula
* Prohibitions: Students may not take both PHL1010 and PHL1070 without permission from the head of the department
* The department proposes to offer PHL1070 in flexible delivery mode to students on any campus in any semester. If you are interested in taking this subject in flexible delivery mode, please contact the department.

Objectives On successfully completing the subject, students should have achieved a critical understanding of some main theoretical approaches to the resolution of contentious moral issues, and will have thought out their own views on several moral issues of importance in the contemporary world. They will also have acquired a vocabulary for the critical appraisal of arguments and a sensitivity to the appropriate standards of rigour in philosophical and ordinary discourse.

Synopsis The subject is made up of two components. (i) `Reason and argument'. This part of the subject will be concerned with the appraisal of reasons and arguments that may be used in defence of various beliefs and policies. Its objective is to develop skills in argument and critical reasoning. (ii) `Moral issues'. This part of the subject will examine some major controversies concerning life and death issues. The content will be similar to that for the `Contemporary moral issues' component of PHL1010.

Assessment Essay: 20%
* Five exercises (covering both parts of the course): 40%
* One 2-hour examination: 40%
* Full details of the assessment, which conforms to the Keller Plan, will be provided at the commencement of the course.

Prescribed texts

Singer P Practical ethics 2nd edn, CUP

Recommended texts

Glover J Causing death and saving lives Penguin

PHL1070

Philosophy: life, death and morality

Dr Aubrey Townsend

6 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Berwick

Objectives On successfully completing the subject, students should have achieved a critical understanding of some main theoretical approaches to the resolution of contentious moral issues, and will have thought out their own views on several moral issues of importance in the contemporary world. They will also have acquired a vocabulary for the critical appraisal of arguments and a sensitivity to the appropriate standards of rigour in philosophical and ordinary discourse.

Synopsis The subject is made up of two components, (i) `Reason and argument'. This part of the subject will be concerned with the appraisal of reasons and arguments that may be used in defence of various beliefs and policies. Its objective is to develop skills in argument and critical reasoning. (ii) `Moral issues'. This part of the subject will examine some major controversies concerning life and death issues. The content will be similar to that for the `Contemporary moral issues' component of PHL1010.

Assessment Essay: 20%
* 5 exercises covering both parts of the course: 40%
* Examination (2 hour): 40%

Prescribed texts

Singer P Practical ethics 2nd edn, CUP, 1993.

Recommended texts

Glover J Causing death and saving lives Penguin