LV EN RU DE FR

Philosophy, Ethics, Aesthetics

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to develop students’ understanding of philosophy, its problems, methods, and its role of in contemporary society. The course focuses on the issues of ethics, political philosophy, and on philosophy’s interdisciplinary role. The course develops analytical and critical thinking, skills in recognizing and solving the problems of practical ethics. In addition to lectures the course includes studies of philosophical texts, discussions in seminars and students’ presentations.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. Knowledge: a student knows and understands philosophical terminology, conceptions and argumentation in their historical development – seminars’ discussions, final written test.
2. Professional skills: a student is able to evaluate and compare philosophical ideas and arguments, to formulate topical philosophical and multidisciplinary problems, to select and critically assess information related to philosophical topics – seminars’ discussions and presentation.
Soft skills: a student is able to plan tasks responsibly, to analyse information, to participate in group activities – seminars’ discussion and presentation.
3. Competence: a student is able to perceive and solve responsibly ethical and multidisciplinary problems, to integrate these skills in further professional activity – seminars’ discussion and presentation.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Philosophy, its role in development of science and its significance nowadays (lecture 1h, seminar 1h).
2. Ethics as a branch of philosophy. Moral and ethical issues in Latvia (lecture 1h, seminar 1h).
3. Values from philosophical point of view (lecture 1h, seminar 1h).
4. Principles and theories of ethics (lectures 3h, seminars 2h).
5. The problems of bioethics (lectures 2h, seminars 2h).
6. The problems of environmental ethics (lecture 1h, seminar 1h).
7. Political philosophy (lectures 3h, seminars 2h).
8. The movements of Ancient ethics, their significance nowadays. (lectures 2h, seminar 1h).
9. Aesthetical values. Introduction in historical periods of Western art (lectures 2h, seminar 1h).
10. Students’ presentations (seminars 4h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Exam’s accumulating assessment of study results: participation in seminars’ discussions about seminars’ topics and literature chosen by lecturer (25%), presentation about topic chosen by student and accepted by lecturer (25%), final written test (50%).

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. The studies of literature chosen by lecturer for preparation of seminars’ topics and for final test.
2. Preparation of presentation.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Seminars – participation in seminars’ discussions, answering lecturer’s questions and explaining student’s point of view. Participation in each seminar is evaluated in 4 grades’ scale: 0 – students has not prepared for seminar, 1 – medium, 2 – good, 3 – very good. Results are summed up in the end of semester.
Student’s presentation – the content of presentation and presentation skills are evaluated with single grade in grade scale 10.
Final written test – evaluated in grade scale 10.

Compulsory reading

1. Apsīte E., Brāzma G., Caune E., Leikuma I., Leikums L., Lūsis K., Poča S., Vuguls J. Praktiskā filosofija. Jelgava: LLU, 2008. 549 lpp.
2. Kūle M., Kūlis R. Filosofija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2020. 656 lpp.
3. Stumpf S., Fieser J. Philosophy: a Historical Survey with Essential Readings. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education, 2019. 426 p.

Further reading

1. Brāzma G. Bioētika. Jelgava: LLU, 2010. 128 lpp.
2. Lasmane S. Komunikācijas ētika. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2012. 304 lpp.
3. Celma J., Fedosejeva I. Estētika: estētisko ideju vēsture Eiropā. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2000. 90 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Žurnāls Rīgas Laiks. ISSN 1407-1622.
2. Žurnāls Philosophy now: a magazine of ideas. ISSN 0961-5970. Pieejams: https://philosophynow.org/issues
3. Online encyclopedia Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Pieejams: http://plato.stanford.edu/