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The Metaphysics of Ethics (PHIL30054)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
People drawn to metaphysics can sometimes have the view that ethics is messy, imprecise, and not sufficiently rule-governed. People drawn to ethics can sometimes have the view that metaphysics is abstract, technical, and insufficiently attentive to real-world issues and concerns. But metaphysics and ethics are more interconnected than these views suggest. In this course, we explore the relation between metaphysics and ethics, using social ontology as the bridge between the two. Topics include objects, persistence, modality, mereology, and causation, and their relations to individual and collective moral obligation and moral responsibility. These discussions have real-world implications for tax laws, the culpability of universities for discriminatory admissions policies, reparations for historical injustice, wrongful life suits, culpability for what we fail to do, and our climate change responsibilities.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the philosophical intersection of ethics and metaphysics, as well as of the metaphysical underpinnings of central ethical views.
- Critical engagement with contemporary philosophical research concerning the scope of metaphysics and ethics and, in particular, the role metaphysical facts play in the evaluation of ethical theories.
- Demonstration of high-level skills of communication and collaboration skills, including oral and written presentation of arguments and effective work in small and large groups.
- Ability to critically evaluate one's own presuppositions and biases concerning ethics and metaphysics.
Generic skills
Students will develop their skills in:
- reasoning critically,
- interpreting arguments and
- writing analytic essays.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
At least two philosophical subjects.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Mini Paper 1
| Week 4 | 15% |
Mini Paper 2
| Week 8 | 15% |
Mini Paper 3
| Week 12 | 15% |
Final Paper
| During the examination period | 55% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Holly Lawford-Smith Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 2 hour lecture per week and 1 hour tutorial (weeks 2-12) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022