Module manager: Graham Bex-Priestley
Email: G.Bex-Priestley@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 Sep to 30 Nov (15mth) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is an introduction to ethics. It is intended to give you a grounding in the foundational elements of moral theory that will serve as a springboard for your later modules.
The aims of this module are to introduce you to the main schools of philosophical thought in moral theory along with several challenges to them, to give you a critical understanding of their points of strength and weakness, and to hone your evaluative and argumentative skills so that you can assess moral theories in a thoughtful and well-reasoned manner.
You will discuss and analyse several theories of morality, including the big three: utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. You will also cover alternative frameworks that may include pluralism, relativism and care ethics, and a critique of moral philosophy’s inclusion of traditional figures such as Aristotle and Kant who held extremely objectionable views about women, race, and slavery.
The objectives will be fulfilled through independent study during which you are encouraged to read set texts and further readings critically and reflect on and analyse these arguments and concepts. They will also be fulfilled through seminar activity, where you will have the opportunity to develop your own arguments on the topics and test these through discussion and critical reflection with other learners and academic staff.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Apply some of the key concepts in moral theory.
2. Explain, evaluate and critique arguments for and against various theories of ethics.
3. Formulate and defend your own views in theoretical ethics using reasoned arguments.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
5. Critically analyse source material and demonstrate independence of thought (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6. Independently search for and utilise appropriate material to support knowledge and analysis of topics (Academic, Work Ready, Digital and Sustainability skill)
7. Apply standards of academic integrity including when and how to appropriately acknowledge someone else’s work and ideas (Academic and Work Ready skill)
The syllabus may vary annually. Possible topics include:
Does the right choice always produce the best consequences?
Can moral duties be derived from pure reason?
Are we ethically obliged to take some careers and forgo others?
Is morality objective or relative?
What can we possibly hope to learn from the moral theories of long-dead men who thought slavery was acceptable?
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 130 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
In addition to the formative feedback available to students in student hours and seminar-based activities, each student is invited to complete ONE piece of formative work which will receive written feedback. Students are given a choice of: essay plan; exposition of an argument; objection and reply.
To ensure that students get the formative feedback that they need, they are asked to read and reflect on (i) the PRHS marking criteria and (ii) the specific guidance provided on the summative assessment in this module, and identify for themselves the form of formative feedback that will be most beneficial to them. This requires students to play an active role in honing their knowledge and skill development.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 22/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team