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PY1015 Philosophy 2: Topics in Ethics, Political Philosophy, Metaethics, and Aesthetics

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A X Douglas

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Alexander Douglas

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Philosophy has often been said to begin with the question 'how ought we to live?' This module introduces students to fundamental questions and problems in: ethics (how ought I to act? how ought I to treat others? what is it to be a good human being?); political philosophy, (what role should the state play in our lives? of what importance are liberty and equality?); metaethics (where do moral 鈥榦ughts鈥� come from? is morality an aspect of the natural world?), and aesthetics (are aesthetic judgements universal?, what are aesthetic properties like?). Students will learn how philosophers have debated these kinds of questions, and will also develop their own philosophical skills by evaluating and analysing these debates.

Relationship to other modules

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU HAVE TAKEN OR ARE TAKING PY1011 OR PY2013.

Assessment pattern

40% Coursework 60% Exam

Re-assessment

100% Exam

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 lectures (x11 weeks), 1 tutorial (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

176

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key questions and debates in ethics, political philosophy, metaethics, and aesthetics
  • Use valuable skills in reasoning and abstract thought by analysing and critically evaluating positions and arguments in the historical and contemporary philosophical literature.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of debates on philosophical issues to problems of real-world social and political concern.
  • Demonstrate core skills in philosophy, including the ability to interpret and engage with philosophical texts, evaluate arguments, and develop one鈥檚 own critical ideas in response.