Advanced Studies in Moral Philosophy B [ LFILO2191 ]

The course requires an introduction to moral philosophy at the bachelor level and a good reading knowledge of English.

In order to attain the objectives that have been set, the course will concentrate each year on a different theme that will allow the relationships between different orientations in philosophical ethics to be seen - concrete issues of "applied" ethics and methodological reflection. The conceptual analysis will be accompanied by case studies.

By the end of the course the student shall be able
to analyse selected topics in the field of moral philosophy;
to develop a well argued point of view, taking a position relative to various approaches to ethics;
to use appropriately the tools of research in philosophy and in interdisciplinary collaboration.

Pragmatism and ethics

 The importance of pragmatism is quite evident in many philosophical debates, to a great deal due to Rorty’s impact. Nevertheless, the philosophy of pragmatism developed since the end of the 19^th century in the USA remains marginalized in the context of moral philosophy. The course suggests a historical reconstruction of the theoretical background, discusses its consequences for the foundation of ethics and addresses some issues of applied ethics. Recommended reading: Jean-Pierre Cometti, Qu’est-ce que le pragmatisme ? (folio essais, 535), Paris, Gallimard, 2010.