This module is a resource for lecturers
Guidelines to develop a stand-alone course
This Module provides an outline for a three-hour class, but there is potential to develop its topics further into a stand-alone course. The scope of such a course will be determined by the specific needs of each context, but a possible structure is presented here as a suggestion, using Simon Blackburn's What do we really know (2016) as a reference point.
Session |
Topic |
Brief description |
1 |
Is there such a thing as society? |
Based on Blackburn's chapter that addresses the individual and the group and the relationship between them |
2 |
Am I free? |
Based on Blackburn's chapter of choice and responsibility |
3 |
Is there such a thing as ethics? |
A meta-ethical discussion about the existence of ethics and morality, based on Norman's chapter "The Ethical World" |
4 |
Natural law |
An overview of the concept of natural law and the Blackburn chapter on "What is Human Nature?" |
5 |
Ethics theory |
An overview of core ethical theories: consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics |
6 |
Nasty, brutish and short |
An overview of the contribution of Thomas Hobbes |
7 |
The Social Contract |
An overview of the contribution of John Rawls |
8 |
Trust |
Based on the work of Francis Fukuyama, with reference to the concepts of social virtues and prosperity |
9 |
Why be good? |
A concluding session based on Blackburn's chapter on annoying behavior and annoying questions |