Admission

See the general admission requirements

Procédures particulières :

Admissions test
Objectives
The admissions test aims to check
 • that the candidate has sufficient basic knowledge of moral philosophy, both in terms of method and authors and theoretical trends;
 • that the candidate can read a philosophical text and summarise it;
 • that the candidate can address a question of moral philosophy by examining opposing views on this issue.
Preparing for the test : a reading list
A reading list is sent to all students who will then sit a written exam, followed by an oral exam, based on what they have read. We also provide the students with some recommendations on methodological texts (in particular on commentary and essay techniques) as well as information on how the exam is organised.
Precise information on the admissions test is not given online but sent to those who make a request at the secretariat.
The reading list is in three parts
1. Introduction à l’éthique (Introduction to Ethics)
 • METAYER Michel, La philosophie éthique, Saint Laurent (Québec), ERPI, 1997.
• CANTO-SPERBER Monique & OGIEN Ruwen, La philosophie morale, Paris, PUF (Que sais-je ?), 2004.
2. Textes classiques (Classical texts)
 • PLATON, Gorgias (all).
 • ARISTOTE, Ethique à Nicomaque (Books 1 and 2).
 • KANT Emmanuel, Fondements de la métaphysique des mœurs (preface, 1st and 2nd sections).
 • MILL John Stuart, L’utilitarisme (all).
 • NIETZSCHE Friedrich, La généalogie de la morale (all).
 • RAWLS John, Théorie de la justice (chapter 1).
 • JONAS Hans, Le principe responsabilité (chapter 1).
3. Approche d’une problématique par les textes : « liberté négative et liberté positive » (Approaching a problem through texts: 'negative freedom and positive freedom')
• BERLIN Isaiah, « Deux conceptions de la liberté », in Eloge de la liberté, Paris, Calmann-Levy, pp. 167-218.
• TAYLOR Charles, « Qu’est-ce qui ne tourne pas rond dans la liberté négative », in La liberté des modernes, Paris, PUF, 1997, pp. 255-283.
• PETTIT Philippe, « Libéralisme et républicanisme », in Dictionnaire d’éthique et de philosophie morale, Paris, PUF, 1996, pp. 826-833.
The written exam
The exam is in two parts.
 • Several comprehension and analysis questions based on the classical works and texts studied (1st and 2nd parts of the reading list). One question at least should be a commentary on an extract of a text.
 • An essay on a question relating to the problem in question (3rd part of the reading list).
This written test, lasting four hours (with a break between the two parts), takes place around ten days before the start of the academic term. Just one test in organised per academic year.
The exam is an open-book test.
Each test paper is marked and given a mark out of 20 by three professors designated on rotating basis (for three years by the academic secretary) from those who teach on the master en éthique. These professors are the people who will have prepared the questions put to the candidate.
The oral test
The candidate meets a jury of three professors who have marked his exam. These professors ask him questions on his exam and make constructive criticism on it.
This oral exam takes place a few days after the written exam.
Examination board meeting
The exam board meeting on admissions takes place straight after the oral interviews. The jury is made up of markers. They are aided by the academic secretary. The jury gives its view on admissions and sets the prerequisite courses that the candidates must add to their masters programme. The jury's decision is final.
Jury 2007-2010
Mark Hunyadi
Walter Lesch
Hervé Pourtois