6AANB021 Kant's Moral Philosophy
Credit value: 15
Module tutor: Dr John Callanan
Assessment:
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Summative assessment: two x 2,500-word essays (100%)
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Formative assessment: two x 1,500-word essays
Teaching pattern: one one-hour weekly lecture and one one-hour weekly seminar over ten weeks
Availability: view module availability for current/next academic year
Pre-requisites: none
This course provides an introduction to the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant. The course focuses upon a close reading of a seminal text in the history of moral philosophy, Kant's Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. We will also loot at some of Kant's other ethical writings as appropriate. Through a reading of these texts, students will gain a critical understanding of the nature of a Kantian approach to the topics of morality and freedom.
Further information
Module aims
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Students will develop the ability to critically assess Kant’s moral theory.
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Students will gain an understanding of what it is to adopt a broadly Kantian approach to these topics, thus preparing them for an understanding of Kant’s contemporary relevance.
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Students will develop the ability to distinguish between Kant’s own theories and those merely inspired by Kant’s approach.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, the students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 6 module and in particular will be able to demonstrate:
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An ability to read a core text in the history of philosophy with both sensitivity to its historical context.
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An ability to critically evaluate Kant’s thought in relation to contemporary philosophy.
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A deeper understanding of Kant’s approach to traditional ethical problems, and how this approach relates to that of his immediate predecessors
Past syllabi