PHIL31020 Kant on Freedom & Morality

Academic Year 2024/2025

Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) introduced a conception of freedom and moral autonomy that has ever since been one of the most influential conceptions of the nature and ground of universal human rights and of our free rational agency. Its influence has been both by way of defence of key aspects of his view, and by way of criticism of some of its grounds and consequences. In either defence or criticism, however, one should first understand what his theory was all about, and that's what we will attempt to do in this module. We will focus on a selection of Kant's most famous writings in 'practical philosophy', i.e. moral philosophy, supplemented by weekly readings by 20th-21st century philosophers attempting to explain, extend, modify, and criticise his views.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module students should have achieved a sound knowledge not only of Kant's moral theory but of debates concerning the nature of the human being's freedom and 'practical' agency in general. They will also learn how Kant's views contrast with some of his predecessors and contemporaries, in particular David Hume, but also in relation to subsequent philosophers influenced by John Rawls's reading of Kant today.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

10
Specified Learning Activities

66
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In addition to lectures (including welcoming any questions at all from students), the analytical and interpretive essay will focus on improving critical thinking skills and logical analysis of texts, concepts, and arguments. If there are any very short online assignments and/or a quiz these would seek to enhance basic accumulating knowledge of central concepts, the interpretation of and critical reflection on key texts, and imaginative reflection on the various conceptual issues raised. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

There are no prerequisites for this module. (It does go well as a follow up module to 'Hume & Kant', but that is not necessary for this module.)


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Exam (In-person): Final Exam in the RDS. n/a Graded No

40
Exam (In-person): In-module 50 minute midterm exam on the texts and articles we'll have read through week 5. n/a Graded No

20
Assignment(Including Essay): 1350-1650 word Essay assignment n/a Graded No

20
Participation in Learning Activities: Attendance & written activities in tutorials & lectures. MUST PASS: students MUST attend at least HALF of the lectures & tutorials in person to pass module. (In-Module Resit = an oral exam.) n/a Graded Yes

20

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

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