PHIL 2032 - Naturalising Morality: Evolution, Ethics & Meaning

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

Modern science gives us a stark way of understanding human nature and the place of human beings in the natural world. We are animals who have evolved to be as we are through natural processes. We live in a world that is not structured for our benefit. And yet, despite this scientific world view, we strive to find meaning and purpose in life. We judge some forms of behaviour right while others are wrong. We think some things really matter. This course considers whether these two perspectives can be reconciled: Is there a naturalistic foundation for ethics, values and even the meaningfulness of life? This course will explore this question by examining evolutionary psychology, the cognitive science of human emotions, and the so-called "new science of morality". In doing so it will confront contentious debates such as the respective roles of genes and culture in making us the way we are, whether it is appropriate to employ new technologies to engineer human happiness, and whether moral responsibility can survive the encroachments of neuroscience.

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Course Details

Course Code	PHIL 2032
Course	Naturalising Morality: Evolution, Ethics & Meaning
Coordinating Unit	Philosophy
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of undergraduate study
Incompatible	PHIL 2005 or PHIL 3005
Assessment	Two 2,500 word (approx.) essays

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Honorary Professor Gerard O'Brien

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

This course aims to

Introduce students to central problems in the project of naturalising morality,
Develop an understanding of related topics in moral prhilosophy, cognitive science, evolutionary psychology and neuroscience

After successfully completing this course, students should:

Be aware of the main philosophical positions regarding the project of naturalising morality
Have experience in analyzing and critiquing written arguments.
Show improvement in problem solving and critical reasoning skills.
Be able to discuss and debate philosophical issues in a group setting.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1-6
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1-6
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1-6
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	1-6
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1-6
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-6
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1-6
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1-6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Required Resources

Tutorial readings and reading lists will be made available on MyUni.

Lecture notes will be made available on MyUni each week, and the lectures will be recorded. To prepare for tutorials, you are required to answer a set of tutorial questions. These will be made available on MyUni in the week preceding the tutorial.

Recommended Resources

Flanagan, O. (2002) The Problem of the Soul (New York, Basic Books)
Harris, S. (2010) The Moral Landscape (New York, Free Press)
Pinker, S. (2011) The Better Angels of Our Nature (London, Allen Lane)
Stanovich, K. (2004) The Robot’s Rebellion: Finding Meaning in the Age of Darwin. (Chicago, University of Chicago Press).
Thagard, P. (2010) The Brain and the Meaning of Life. (Princeton, Princeton University Press)
Wright, R. (1996) The Moral Animal: Evolutionary Psychology and Everyday Life (London, Abacus)

Online Learning

Lecture notes will be made available on MyUni each week, and the lectures will be recorded. To prepare for tutorials, you are required to answer a set of tutorial questions. These will be made available on MyUni in the week preceding the tutorial.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is a guide to the average number of hours per week you should spend on this course. The total is (12 weeks x 12 hours per week) = 144 hours over the whole semester.

1 x 2 hour lecture per week

1 hour tutorial per week

3 hours revision per week

3 hours tutorial preparation per week

3 hours assessment work (essay and exam preparation)

Total per week

12 hours

Learning Activities Summary

The course will cover the following topics:

(1) Introduction to the Project of Naturalising Morality
(2) Evolutionary Theory and Evolutionary Psychology
(3) The Merits and Demerits of Naturalised Theories of Morality
(4) The Cognitive Science and Neuroscience of the Emotions
(5) The Impact of Neuroscience on Moral Responsibility
(6) The Possibility and Permissibility of Engineering Happiness

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

This course is assessed by 2 x 2500 word essays, each worth 50% of the final mark.

Assessment Detail

The first essay will be due approximately half way through the semester and the essay questions will be drawn from topics in the first half of the course.

The second essay will be due at the end of the semester and the essay questions will be drawn from topics in the second half of the course.

Submission

The essays will be submitted electronically via MyUni. Details of the submission process will be provided with the essay questions.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator