History of Ethics - 2nd semester

Objectives

a) To acquire a profound understanding of the importance of the History of Ethics as an integral part of Ethics itself;
b) To deepen knowledge of methodological and doctrinal controversies in the field of Ethics;
c) To deepen knowledge of key issues and fundamental concepts in the field of Ethics;
d) To deepen knowledge of the fundamental texts in the History of Ethics, with a mastering both of time-honoured interpretations and of the current state of research;
e) To acquire a strong ability to analyse, compare, criticise and use ethical concepts, and also to independently discuss problems and doctrinal views in the field of Ethics;
f) To acquire the ability to carry out highly qualified research work under supervision;
g) To acquire the ability to carry out independent research in this area;     

General characterization

Code

722031048

Credits

10

Responsible teacher

Gabriele de Angelis, Pedro Lemos

Hours

Weekly - 3 letivas + 1 tutorial

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

None

Bibliography

Kant, I., The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Immanuel Kant [Practical Philosophy and Critique of Pure Reason], eds.: Paul Guyer and Allen W. Wood. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
Groundwork of The metaphysics of morals (Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten), 1785.
Critique of pure reason (Kritik der reinen Vernunft), 1781/1787.
Critique of practical reason (Kritik der praktischen Vernunft), 1788
The metaphysics of morals (Die Metaphysik der Sitten), 1797
An Answer to the Question: What is enlightenment? (Beantwortung der Frage: Was ist Aufklärung?), 1784
On the Old Say: That May be Right in Theory But It Won´t Work in Practice (Über den Gemeinspruch: Das mag in der Theorie richtig sein, taugt aber nicht für die Praxis), 1793
Kant, I., Kants Werke, Akademie Textausgabe [Band III-VI]. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1968.


Teaching method

This is a theoretical and practical unit. It will take place as a seminar, i.e.: it will be based on the reading and interpretation of key texts of primary literature under ad hoc-inclusion of secondary literature.

Evaluation method

Students are expected to read and present in class substantial portions of the text. This will be a component of the final mark (2 presentation, 30%x2 of the final mark). The other component will be the presentation of a written homework of max. 2000 words at the end of the term (40% of the final mark).

Subject matter

This will be an introduction to the concepts of freedom, moral law, categorical imperative, obligation, virtue, happiness, appropriate course of action. It will be conducted on the basis of the most relevant texts of Kant’s critical endeavour and secondary literature, as well.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: