Ehr 2101 Theories of Ethics Course Description

1. 
   To help the students acquire knowledge of the basic theories of ethics so that they are capacitated to understand how ethical decisions are made in day to day life.
   
2. 
   To acquaint the students with rational arguments that support right principles that affect practical ethical decisions in day to day life
   

1. 
   Explain the various theories of ethics, like the consequentialist’s theories, the duty based theories, and rule based theories.
   
2. 
   Define the consequentialist and non-consequentialist views on ethics
   
3. 
   Describe and critically analyze the two main consequentialist theories i.e., ethical egoism and utilitarianism
   
4. 
   Describe and critically evaluate virtue ethics or duty based theories of ethics expounded by Kant’s Duty Ethics and Ross’s Prima Facie Duties
   

1. 
   Know the anthropological ‘facts’ about universalism and relativism and understand the criticism of these ‘facts’
   
2. 
   Understand how basic principles are important in making moral decisions
   

5. 
   Describe and critically examine the rule based ethical theory and they impact on ethical decision making.
   

1. 
   Introduction
   
2. 
   Approaches to Various Theories of Ethics
   
3. 
   Meta-Ethical Theories
   

1. 
   Ethical Relativism
   
2. 
   Ethical Absolutism/Universalism
   
3. 
   Emotivism
   

1. 
   Need for them
   
2. 
   Consequentialist/Teleological Theories
   
3. 
   Ethical Egoism
   
4. 
   Utilitarianism
   

4. 
   Non-consequentialist/Deontological Theories
   

1. 
   Kantian Deontology
   
2. 
   Ross’s Deontology
   
3. 
   Rights Based Ethics
   

The facilitator(s) will employ the following methods; lectures, seminars, inquiry, case studies, expert talks, explanations, group work, brain storming.

Practical exercise test 15%