PY4620 Virtue and Vice

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

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 10

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 M R Hampson

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

Module Staff

Dr M Hampson and Dr M van der Lugt

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

Module description

This module investigates philosophical questions related to the evaluation of character. It asks what virtue and vice consist in, and how questions of the evaluation of character interact with questions about what is morally right or wrong and/or other issues relevant to our ethical lives. From year to year, this course will look variously at key theoretical topics in virtue ethics (e.g. virtuous action; situationist and consequentialist challenges); historical approaches to virtue and vice (e.g. Plato; Aristotle; Hume; modern virtue theorists); studies of particular virtues and vices (e.g. the cardinal virtues and vices; non-standard virtues and vices).

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework.

Re-assessment

Reassessment of failed element, with the mark for that reassessed element counting as per its weighting towards overall grade, along with other marks from passed elements. Overall grade to be reported, and then (as per University policy) capped at 7.0.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1x 2hr lecture (x11 weeks), 1x 1hr tutorial (x10 weeks)

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to identify and critically discuss a range of philosophical approaches related to the evaluation of character.
By the end of the module, students will be able to describe and comprehend the prominent philosophical debates surrounding the historical texts studied in the module;
By the end of the module, students will be able to consider, in an informed way, the domains in which virtues and vices may be exercised, and form their own opinions accordingly.
By the end of the module, students will be able to write competently and meaningfully on matters relating to philosophical debates on virtues and vices.