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The Metaphysics of Ethics (PHIL30054)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2024
Overview
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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 subject, 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 value of historical artefacts, cultural group membership, the relation between the individual and her community, moral truth, surrogacy, gender identification, reparations for historical injustice, moral luck, and culpability for what we fail to do.
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: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Essay 1
| Week 6 | 25% |
Essay 2
| Week 12 | 75% |
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024