Teacher(s)
Language
French
> English-friendly
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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
Moral reasons, private reasons
In 2025-26, the seminar will focus on a tension between two plausible claims. The first concerns the public nature of moral reasons: if certain reasons justify our behavior towards others, these reasons must, in principle, be reasons that we can share with others. The second is that certain genuine normative reasons are ineffable. It is not always possible to articulate, in words, the reasons why, for example, we love a person or value our culture. What happens when these same reasons take on moral significance? How could we justify ourselves to others, if the reasons that justify our behavior are themselves ineffable? Our goal will be to understand the nature of this problem, and to examine some of its potential solutions.
In 2025-26, the seminar will focus on a tension between two plausible claims. The first concerns the public nature of moral reasons: if certain reasons justify our behavior towards others, these reasons must, in principle, be reasons that we can share with others. The second is that certain genuine normative reasons are ineffable. It is not always possible to articulate, in words, the reasons why, for example, we love a person or value our culture. What happens when these same reasons take on moral significance? How could we justify ourselves to others, if the reasons that justify our behavior are themselves ineffable? Our goal will be to understand the nature of this problem, and to examine some of its potential solutions.
Bibliography
Les lectures seront fournies aux étudiants via Moodle.
Faculty or entity
