Entry requirements

60 credits in practical philosophy or theoretical philosophy

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the students are expected to:

• Have an overview of the main debates on harm
• Be able to describe the most important theories of the nature and ethical significance of harm
• Be able to describe the most important arguments for these theories
• Be able to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of these arguments

Content

What is harm, and what is its ethical significance? This course provides an introduction to the most important views on the nature of harm, and discuss various ethical issues where harm plays a major role. Topics covered include comparative vs. non-comparative accounts of harm, the non-identity problem in population ethics, abortion ethics, harm and well-being, the harm of death, and J. S. Mill's Harm Principle.

Instruction

Lectures and seminars.

Assessment

One longer essay and three shorter writing assignments. A student's active participation and good performance in class may be a positive factor in the overall assessment of the student's work for the course.

Master's students are expected to write somewhat longer and more comprehensive essays than C-level students, and the requirements concerning scholarly quality are higher.

Other directives

The course is given both as a first cycle or as a second cycle course.