Uitgebreide vaknaam |
Consequentialism |
Leerdoelen |
The aim of this course is to familiarise students with the main philosophical debates around consequentialism. At the end of the course, students should know about the historical roots of consequentialism and its most prominent contemporary versions, should understand the main arguments in favour and against consequentialism, be able to distinguish the different types of consequentialism and grasp the arguments that speak for and against them and be able to apply consequentialist reasoning to more applied ethical problems. |
Omschrijving |
Alongside deontology and virtue ethics, consequentialism stands as one of the three prominent approaches to ethics. Its basic idea is that the moral value of an act – or other things we want to evaluate, such as motives, rules and institutions – is determined by its consequences. In this course, we will try to understand the different varieties of consequentialism and consider the main arguments for and against consequentialism. The course starts with an overview of what consequentialism is and what different forms of consequentialism there are. We will then discuss a selection of some of the arguments for and against consequentialism. For example, is consequentialism too demanding as a moral theory? Can consequentialists be good friends? Is consequentialism compatible with a concern for rights, justice and fairness? We also discuss which forms of consequentialism are most plausible. Should consequentialists focus on actual or on expected consequences? Should consequentialists be rule, act or global consequentialists? Should consequentialism be scalar? |
Uren per week |
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Onderwijsvorm |
(seminar)
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Toetsvorm |
essay
(Essay (students are examined based on one paper they write at the end of the course))
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Vaksoort |
master
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Coördinator |
Dr. A.T. Schmidt
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Docent(en) |
Dr. A.T. Schmidt
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Verplichte literatuur |
Titel |
Auteur |
ISBN |
Prijs |
Readings will be made available ahead of the class
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Entreevoorwaarden |
Basic knowledge in ethics required |
Opmerkingen |
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Opgenomen in |
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