We will be studying in detail at least two of the following three books: David Hume’s Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, Immanuel Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism. We will aim to identify precisely what claims the chosen books are making, through assessing competing interpretations, and to evaluate their contributions to moral thought.

• knowledge of the key aims and components of the selected texts.
• ability to identify and engage with issues of textual interpretation.
• ability to interpret and engage with evaluative claims concerning these texts.
• ability to communicate and justify interpretations and evaluations of these texts.

There will be two lectures per week. Students will also be divided into groups for weekly seminars. For each seminar, students will be expected to have read a passage from one of the selected texts or from commentaries on it and be able to discuss this reading.

To give students a thorough understanding of two important texts and the issues that surround their interpretation and assessment.

The module is assessed by 50% coursework and 50% exam.

The formative assessment for this module will take the form of two essays of 1,500 words. The essays should be submitted via Learning Central, by the dates specified on the question lists. Essays submitted after these dates, without good cause, may not be marked in time for the revision period.

The summative assessment for this module will take the form of one portfolio essay in combination with one 90 minute written examination. The two components of the assessment will carry equal weighting.

The portfolio essay will consist of one essay of a maximum of 2,000 words. This essay will be selected from the same list of titles as for the formative essays. The essay must be written especially for the portfolio, and must not be discussed with the module leader. It may, however, be based upon one of the formative essays, although the greater maximum length of essay indicates that a more thorough and detailed critical discussion of the chosen title is expected.

In the written examination the student will answer one question.

This module is assessed according to the Marking Criteria set out in the School’s UG Student Handbook. There are otherwise no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.

The module will be concerned with understanding the structure and components of two of the following texts and assessing their contributions to moral thought: David Hume’s Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, Immanuel Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism.

David Hume, Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals.

James Baillie, Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Hume on Morality.

J. L. Mackie, Hume’s Moral Theory.

John Bricke, Mind and Morality: An Examination of Hume's Moral Psychology.

Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.

Sally Sedgwick, Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals: An Introduction.

Christine Korsgaard, Creating the Kingdom of Ends.

John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism.

Roger Crisp, Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Mill on Utilitarianism.

David Lyons (ed), Mill’s Utilitarianism: Critical Essays.

David Hume, Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals.

James Baillie, Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Hume on Morality.

J. L. Mackie, Hume’s Moral Theory.

John Bricke, Mind and Morality: An Examination of Hume's Moral Psychology.

Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.

Sally Sedgwick, Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals: An Introduction.

Christine Korsgaard, Creating the Kingdom of Ends.

John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism.

Roger Crisp, Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Mill on Utilitarianism.

David Lyons (ed), Mill’s Utilitarianism: Critical Essays.