How can we make ethical decisions?
Module details
- Offered to Year 1 students
- Tuesdays, 16.00-18.00
- 8 weeks (autumn term only)
- Planned delivery: On-campus (South Kensington)
- Non-credit only
Got any questions?
Contact the lecturer:
Ms Catherine Webb
Ethical Debates: Moral Dilemmas in the Real World' examines ethical issues that arise within a wide range of contexts. It explores questions like: Is euthanasia ever acceptable? Is it okay to experiment on animals? What are our responsibilities over climate change? How can we make ethical decisions in business? What might constitute an ethical AI? In this 8-week module, we will use moral philosophy frameworks to explore ethical issues: analysing the problems and critically evaluating various possible solutions.
Information blocks
On successful completion of this module, you will be better prepared to:
- demonstrate knowledge of major ethical theories and principles
- use key ethical frameworks and concepts to analyse an ethical problem
- construct a reasoned argument supported by relevant principles, theories and logic using self-directed research.
This module covers major ethical frameworks and principles as they relate to real life examples. These may include deontology, consequentialism, virtue ethics and the ethics of care as well as major ethical principles in the fields of medicine, bioethics and robot ethics. Students will spend time learning how to make logical well supported ethical arguments using these principles and frameworks. Topics are often taken from relevant current events but are likely to include, euthanasia, sexual ethics, AI, climate change and animal testing. These topics are illustrative rather than definitive and may be changed or amended.
The module will be highly interactive, enabling you to explore your opinion and to learn from the module leader and fellow students. Most classes will include discussion time, and organised group discussions around both pre-set and in-class assigned materials. The eight weeks of classes will build into the module’s summative essay.
You will be given informal, formative feedback on your ideas throughout the module, both from the module leader and fellow students. You will submit your final essay through the module VLE, through which you will receive written feedback.
- Coursework: Essay (1,500 words) (100%)
- ECTS value: 0
- Requirements: You must be prepared to attend all classes and to spend about an hour a week preparing for each session
- This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 4 course. For an explanation of levels, view the Imperial Horizons Level Descriptors page.