Comparative Ethics

This module is designed to introduce you to the philosophical discourse of, and concerns with questions of, morality from various philosophical traditions and perspectives.

‘Comparative Ethics’ is designed to provide a decolonised moral theory curriculum that examines how various philosophical traditions have addressed ethical problems. It focuses on important Global South and Global North approaches to normative, meta-, and applied ethics from these various philosophical traditions

Objectives and learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course a student will be able to:

• Identify the basic methods and problems in comparative ethics.
• Explain core arguments in comparative ethics across a range of philosophical and religious traditions.

Scope and Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction, motivation, and overview of the module

Week 2: Global North Perspectives on the Source of Moral Normativity: Authority or Responsibility?

Week 3: African Moral Theory

Week 4: Indian Moral Theory – Ahimsa

Week 5: Indian Moral Theory – The Centrality of Dharma

Week 6: Reading Week

Week 7: Cruelty as the Summum Malum – Shklar and Rorty

Week 8: Climate Ethics – Indigenous Environmental Philosophy

Week 9: Climate Ethics – Injustice

Week 10: Climate Ethics – Epistemologies of Ignorance

Week 11: Workshop

Workload

One 2-hour lecture per week

Method of assessment

• Prerecorded video presentation with slides (1,000 words) 40%
• Essay (2,500 words) 60%

Suggested reading

• Agarwal, A. and Narain, S. 1991, Global Warming in an Unequal World: A Case of Environmental Colonialism. New Delhi: Centre for Science and Environment.
• Ranganathan, S. 2007. Ethics and the History of Indian Philosophy. Motilal Banarasidas.

Convenor

• Dr Paul Giladi

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.