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PHL204Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Introduction To Ethics

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of ethics, exploring its origins, definitions, and divisions. It examines various ethical theories, including Plato's, Aristotle's, and Kant's, and delves into metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics. The course also covers human values, the nature of human conduct, and the relationship between ethics and morality, law, and religion. Students will develop critical thinking skills and a strong understanding of ethical frameworks.

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20h
Study Time
13
Weeks
2h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
EthicsMoralityValuesJusticePrinciples

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Origin of Ethics

2

Definition of Ethics

3

Divisions of Ethics

4

Methodologies of Ethics

5

Human Values

6

Ethics and Religion

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (4 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Computer Based Tests

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Ethical Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Compliance Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Human Resources Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Lawyer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

HealthcareBusinessLawEducationGovernment

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1:

4h

Unit 1: Origin of Ethics

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Origin of Ethics, focusing on the development of ethical thought from Plato to Kant.
  • •Identify the key figures and their contributions to ethical theory.
  • •Reflect on the origin of ethics in various cultures.

Unit 2: Definition of Ethics

2 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Definition of Ethics, paying attention to the etymology and various definitions of ethics.
  • •Differentiate between metaethics and normative ethics.
  • •Consider the role of philosophers in defining ethics.
Week
2

Module 1:

4h

Unit 3: Divisions of Ethics

2 study hours
  • •Explore Unit 3: Divisions of Ethics, focusing on metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics.
  • •Understand the key concepts within each division, such as realism, intuitionism, and consequentialism.
  • •Analyze the differences and relationships between these divisions.

Unit 4: Methodologies of Ethics

2 study hours
  • •Study Unit 4: Methodologies of Ethics, focusing on intuitionism, egoism, and utilitarianism.
  • •Compare and contrast these methodologies.
  • •Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
Week
3

Module 2:

4h

Unit 1: The Value of Ethics

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: The Value of Ethics, focusing on the relationship between ethics and morality.
  • •Identify the values of ethics, such as the development of argumentative skills and the elevation of humanity.
  • •Reflect on the inevitability of ethics in social contexts.

Unit 2: Human Values

2 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Human Values, paying attention to the definition of values and the various types of values.
  • •Differentiate between personal and cultural values.
  • •Consider the role of values in shaping individual and societal behavior.
Week
4

Module 2:

4h

Unit 3: Nature of human conduct

2 study hours
  • •Explore Unit 3: The Nature of Human Conduct, focusing on the factors influencing human conduct.
  • •Understand the role of society, custom, law, and religion in shaping behavior.
  • •Analyze the internal factors, such as intellect and habit, that influence conduct.

Unit 4: Human act

2 study hours
  • •Study Unit 4: Human Act, paying attention to the factors defining human act, such as instinct, intention, and motive.
  • •Differentiate between human act and acts of a human.
  • •Consider the moral appraisal of human act.
Week
5

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: Relationship between ethics and morality

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Relationship between ethics and morality, focusing on the similarities and differences between ethics and morality.
  • •Understand the role of morality as the basis of ethics.
  • •Reflect on the relationship between the two concepts.

Unit 2: Ethics and law

2 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Ethics and Law, paying attention to the meaning of ethics and law.
  • •Analyze the relationship between ethics and law.
  • •Consider the role of ethics in shaping legal frameworks.
Week
6

Module 3:

4h

Unit 3: The concept of moral law

2 study hours
  • •Explore Unit 3: The Concept of Moral Law, focusing on the divine command theory, the idea of natural law, and Kant's duty ethics.
  • •Understand the key concepts within each theory.
  • •Analyze the differences and relationships between these theories.

Unit 4: Principles of justice and conscience

2 study hours
  • •Study Unit 4: Principles of Justice and Conscience, paying attention to the concepts of justice and conscience.
  • •Understand the historical and contemporary perspectives on these principles.
  • •Consider the role of justice and conscience in ethical decision-making.
Week
7

Module 4:

3h

Unit 1: Definition of Good

3 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Definition of Good, focusing on the philosophical definition of good.
  • •Differentiate between the philosophical definition of good and the functional definition.
  • •Consider the role of moral objectivism, nihilism, and relativism in defining good.
Week
8

Module 4:

3h

Unit 2: Knowing the good and doing the good

3 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Knowing the Good and Doing the Good, paying attention to the types of good and how to know that an action is good.
  • •Understand the philosophical criteria for classifying actions as good or bad.
  • •Consider the rational justification for good actions.
Week
9

Module 4:

3h

Unit 3: The nature of right and wrong

3 study hours
  • •Explore Unit 3: The Nature of Right and Wrong, focusing on the relativity or objectivity of right and wrong.
  • •Understand the theoretical approaches to right and wrong.
  • •Analyze the differences and relationships between these approaches.
Week
10

Module 5:

4h

Unit 1: Is ethics a science or an art?

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Is Ethics a Science or an Art?, focusing on the definition of science and the relationship between ethics and science.
  • •Understand the two views of science.
  • •Consider the role of ethics in scientific inquiry.

Unit 2: Assumptions of ethics

2 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Assumptions of Ethics, paying attention to the concepts of freedom and responsibility.
  • •Understand the role of determinism in shaping ethical thought.
  • •Analyze the relationship between determinism, freedom, and responsibility.
Week
11

Module 5:

3h

Unit 3: Some fundamental principles of ethics

3 study hours
  • •Explore Unit 3: Some Fundamental Principles of Ethics, focusing on the principles of respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.
  • •Understand the importance of each principle for human social relations.
  • •Analyze the reflections of ethical principles.
Week
12

Module 5:

3h

Unit 4: Ethics and religion

3 study hours
  • •Read Unit 4: Ethics and Religion, focusing on the relationship between ethics and religion.
  • •Understand the major link between ethics and religion.
  • •Analyze the existence of ethics or religion without the other.
Week
13

Final Revision

4h

Final Revision

4 study hours
  • •Review all modules and units.
  • •Focus on key concepts and theories.
  • •Prepare for assignments and final examination.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a study schedule to cover all units

2

Focus on understanding the key concepts and theories

3

Practice applying ethical principles to case studies

4

Review all assignments and tutor-marked assessments

5

Prepare by creating concept maps linking modules 1-5

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