The aim of the module is to introduce students to some of the key questions of moral and political philosophy.  It will explore various themes, from human nature, justice, and the nature of morality, to more recent concerns with issues such as gender and global poverty.  These subjects will be introduced in the main through the work of some of the key philosophers in the canon, from Plato and Hobbes to Marx and Rawls, thereby informing the students with a sense of the history of western philosophy.  To this end, in addition to addressing specific philosophical questions, the module will aim to highlight continuities and ruptures in western thought, and the enduring nature of certain questions of human existence. 

The module will begin with a discussion of Plato’s treatment of justice and Aristotles’ concept of the good life.  Ideas of human nature, society and government will then be explored through modern contractarian thought. The module moves on to discuss some foundational questions of moral thought, introducing Price’s response to Hume’s scepticism, whilst using Kant and Mill to explore the contrast between deontological and consequentialist approaches.  The second half of the module will be broadly concerned with themes of poverty, injustice and moral argument, beginning with Marx and Rawls. Attention will be given to issues sometimes overlooked by mainstream political philosophy such as minority rights, and in particular, gender issues. The final issue of the module will be that of moral relativism.

1.    Read and analyze primary philosophical texts.

2.    Understand and reconstruct philosophical arguments from the set texts.

3.    Demonstrate an understanding of key philosophical concepts.

4.    Show a basic knowledge of the broad development of Western philosophy.

5.    Evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.

This 20 credit module will be taught on the basis of twenty one hour lectures and eight hour seminars. The role of the lectures will be to present basic information about the philosophers being studied, their place in relation to the development of western philosophy, before introducing in greater detail the key concepts to be studied. The seminars will be an opportunity to engage with and discuss the text and concepts in greater detail.

The module will be taught as part of the teaching provision of the Coleg Cenedlaethol Cymraeg and therefore resources will be available to students through the interactive teaching platform, Y Porth, which uses the same software as Learning Central. The module will use printed books and journal articles, available on-line, and where books are in short supply, or out of print, the relevant passages will be uploaded to Y Porth. Timetabled sessions will be supplemented with written material to be found in the module handbook, detailing session content, questions for discussion and lists for further reading, whilst the lecture slides will be uploaded to Y Porth.

Intellectual Skills:

The ability to interpret texts and to understand texts in the context of a tradition of thought

The ability to articulate and assess arguments

The ability to reach conclusions with sound reasoning and detailed interpretations of source material

Discipline Specific Skills:

The ability to analyse and construct philosophical arguments

The ability to interpret philosophical texts and to assess their historical and contemporary relevance

The ability to use (and derive value from) a wide range of texts from various historical periods

Transferable Skills:

The ability to analyse arguments

The ability to read texts in a disciplined manner

The ability to communicate clearly and accurately in written work

The ability to present work that has a logical structure

The ability to form their own views and independent positions

Students will develop employability skills which include the ability to synthesise information, operating in group-based discussion involving negotiating ideas and producing clear, informed arguments in a professional manner.

80%: Summative Essay (2000 words)

20%: Learning Log (@1000 words)

Plato, Y Wladwriaeth, (Cyf. gan D. Emrys Evans, G.P.C. Caerdydd 1956)

Aristoteles, Moeseg Nicomachaidd(Cyf. gan John FitzGerald, G.P.C. Caerdydd 1998)

Rousseau, The Social Contract

Rawls, A Theory of Justice (OUP, 1999)

Singer, Famine, Affluence and Morality Philosophy and Public Affairs, vol. 1, no. 3 (Spring 1972), pp. 229–243