Ethics and Responsibility: An Introduction to Applied Ethics (Seminar)

Lecturer (assistant)
  • Eva Sandmann
  • Jörg-Wilhelm Wernecke
Duration2 SWS
TermSommersemester 2021
Language of instructionEnglish
Position within curriculaSee TUMonline

Admission information

See TUMonline
Note: All participants are expected to give a presentation during the course.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this module, students are able to: • identify different ethical concepts of reasoning, their opportunities and limitations, from a theoretical and practical point of view • identify specific ethical conflicts in different fields of ethical reasoning and their transforming in practice • Classifying the conflicts between e.g. technological innovation vs. ethical acceptance in society (e.g. genetic engineering) • evaluate these conflicts and apply them to concrete practical examples.

Description

Our every-day life is shaped extensively by science and technology. With respect of their outstanding success modern science and technology are also confronted with a lot of ethical challenges. Two main issues can be identified: first the relationship between purpose (e.g. progress?) and (technical) instruments (Does the end really justifies all means?) relating to the ethical consequences and second the ethical validation of direct and incidental consequences of technical practice (risk & effort). How can these challenges be successfully handled and integrated in a complex social world? This course offers an introduction to ethics to give an overview of different ethical positions, their justifications and applications in science and technology. At the end of the course participants will have differentiated knowledge and understanding and a faculty of judgment to identify ethical problems in the context of technology and society. All participants are expected to give one presentation during the course (2 ECTS). For 3 ECTS presentation & essay is necessary. Visiting the course intrinsic motivation but NO special philosophical knowledge is necessary!

Prerequisites

No philosophical knowledge in the background is necessary.

Teaching and learning methods

presentations, discussions, text analysis

Examination

Presentation (ECTS: 2), additional Essay (ECTS: 3); Modul ED0147: presentation + research paper (1500 - 2000 words) (ECTS: 5) This course is assigned to the modules: CLA20230 Ethik und Verantwortung (2 Credits) CLA30230 Ethik und Verantwortung (3 Credits) ED0147 Angewandte Ethik (5 Credits)

Recommended literature

Will be provided in the seminar.

Links