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5.00 credits
22.5 h
Q2
Language
French
> English-friendly
> English-friendly
Prerequisites
The student will have taken or be taking courses in practical philosophy at undergraduate and graduate level. They will have a general knowledge of the main problems, currents and concepts in the field in question.
Main themes
The seminar will deal with a theme in the field of practical philosophy, determined by its holders in line with the research projects they are pursuing. Students are encouraged to participate actively in the sessions. It should involve interested UCLouvain professors and researchers, as well as specialists on the theme from outside UCLouvain.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | deal with a research topic in the field of practical philosophy on the basis of a critical commentary on the works and texts of authors dealing with the topic in question; |
| 2 | write a scientific paper on a specific research question relevant to the seminar theme, and defend your work in a discussion with one or more seminar participants; |
| 3 | take an active part in collective research in practical philosophy, in particular by participating in the discussion of contributions as part of a workshop with outside contributors and student presentations as part of the seminar. |
Content
Pourquoi bien agir? / Why be moral?
Honoring our moral obligations can require us to make important sacrifices. These demands invite a question: why be moral at all? Why should we do what morality demands of us?
In this seminar, we read a number of papers which attempt to answer these questions, as well as essays on closely related questions (such as: how do we know what morality demands of us in the first place?)
We will focus on a series of essays influential in British and American moral philosophy during the last half-century. Philosophers whose works we will discuss include Thomas Nagel, Philippa Foot, Bernard Williams, Christine Korsgaard, and T.M. Scanlon.
Honoring our moral obligations can require us to make important sacrifices. These demands invite a question: why be moral at all? Why should we do what morality demands of us?
In this seminar, we read a number of papers which attempt to answer these questions, as well as essays on closely related questions (such as: how do we know what morality demands of us in the first place?)
We will focus on a series of essays influential in British and American moral philosophy during the last half-century. Philosophers whose works we will discuss include Thomas Nagel, Philippa Foot, Bernard Williams, Christine Korsgaard, and T.M. Scanlon.
Teaching methods
Students should master basic notions in practical philosophy. The purpose of this seminar will be to go deeper into some specific concepts.
Teaching in French. A passive knowledge of English is required since several compulsory readings will be in English.
Teaching in French. A passive knowledge of English is required since several compulsory readings will be in English.
Evaluation methods
Continuous evaluation and final research paper to be submitted during the exam session. No oral exam.
Participation in the seminar will be validated
Participation in the seminar will be validated
- based on your attendance at the sessions. This is non-negotiable. There is no need to want to write a work without really having participated in the sessions. A seminar is by definition a place of collective research and debate and differs from a lecture or a series of conferences. This is part of learning.
- your ability to discuss the contributions of other students.
- the oral presentation of a problem chosen by yourself as part of the general theme. In concrete terms, this means that you must identify a search object yourself and legitimize this choice.
- the writing of a text (max. 40,000 characters including spaces) that considers critical comments on the oral presentation.
Other information
Attendance is compulsory, given that this seminar will rely on the active participation of students.
Bibliography
Les lectures seront fournies aux étudiants via Moodle.
Faculty or entity
