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PHL242: Practical Ethics
This unit focuses on a range of topics in applied ethics, such as abortion, suicide, euthanasia, terrorism, war, non-violence, capital punishment and environmental ethics. Discussion of the different topics is structured around a number of key concepts including notions of personhood, harm, and justice. What are the criteria for personhood, and are these criteria relevant to the morality of abortion or euthanasia? The duty to minimise harm is an important ethical principle. But what is the nature of harm? And under what circumstances may causing harm be justified? Is there such a thing as a just war? Is terrorism ever justifiable? The unit aims to encourage reflection on the complex ethical issues raised by such questions and to introduce students to the different positions and arguments within the relevant philosophical debates.
| Credit Points: | 3 |
| Contact Hours: | 3 |
| When Offered: | D1 - Day; Offered in the first half-year X1 - External study; Offered in the first half-year |
| Staff Contact(s): | Professor Catriona Mackenzie |
| Prerequisites: |
12cp or admission to GDipPhil |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCW(s): | PHIL242, PHI210 |
| Unit Designation(s): | |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: | Department of Philosophy |
Timetable Information
For unit timetable information please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website .