OBS 111 Ethics (Moral Philosophy)

The course entitled Ethics focuses on the relevance of the study of moral philosophy. Primarily it enquires the question “why human being should be moral?” To achieve this end, an overview of the historical development of moral philosophy is undertaken. The main intention is to enable the students to have a solid and coherent foundations of moral philosophy rooted in Christian faith. In this regard, the foundations of moral philosophy are analysed with the support of classical authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure. Moreover, a critical appraisal of different types of morality and ethical standards (Eudaemonism, Hedonism, Utilitarianism etc.) is undertaken. In addition, critical evaluation of the moral theories of both modern and contemporary authors is also dealt with. Finally, having solid knowledge of the foundations of ethics, the students are trained to evaluate the contemporary ethical issues, including the problems in social, political, interpersonal and individual levels.

1. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (any good English translation).
2. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Second Part (any good English translation).
3. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Veritatis Splendor, August 6, 1993.
4. Finnis, J., Natural Law and Natural Rights, Oxford University Press, Oxford – New York, 2011.
5. George, R., In Defence of Natural Law, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1999.
6. Spaemann, R., Basic Moral Concepts, trans. TJ. Armstrong. Routledge, London 1990.
7. Vendemiati, A., In the First Person, An Outline of General Ethics, Rome, Urbaniana University Press, 2005.
8. Rachel, J., The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 3rd edition, Boston, 1999.
9. Lillie, W., An Introduction to Ethics, New Delhi, 1984.
10. Beauchamp, T.L., Philosophical Ethics: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, Boston, 2001.
11. Frankena, W., Ethics, 2nd Edition, New Jersey, 1973.