Practical philosophy
The course Practical Philosophy is only offered as part of the Bachelor's programmes Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and Business, Ethics and Sustainability. If you are interested in taking an introductory course in Practical Philosophy, you should apply for the course Practical Philosophy I.
This course aims to provide you with a solid foundation for analyzing fundamental societal issues. Many of these issues involve normative, economic, and political aspects. During the first semester, the focus is on the normative aspects. The goal of the course is to give you a strong basis for describing and analyzing normative problems.
The course consists of four modules and begins with an introductory lecture.
Learning Platform
Reading instructions, detailed course schedule, and other materials will be published on the course’s Athena page. Admitted students who have activated their student account and are registered for the course will automatically be added as participants on the course’s Athena page.
Expected Learning Outcomes, Attendance Requirements, Examination Format, and Grading
Please refer to the syllabus in the right-hand column of this page.
This course consists of four modules, each worth 7.5 ECTS credits. Below is a detailed description of each module.
Modules
Critical Thinking, 7.5 ECTS
This module covers some of the methodological tools of analytic philosophy and critical thinking, with a particular focus on argumentation analysis. Basic skills in argument analysis—such as reconstructing and evaluating arguments—are practiced in relation to current societal issues. Concepts and distinctions relevant to critical thinking, and those necessary for mastering argumentation analysis, are thoroughly examined. Examples include the concepts of truth, rational belief, valid and sound arguments, as well as the distinction between deductive and inductive strength.
Instructor and Examiner: Greg Bognar greg.bognar@philosophy.su.se
Moral Philosophy, 7.5 ECTS
This module addresses key questions, concepts, and theories within normative ethics and metaethics, which are prominent subfields of moral philosophy. Examples of central metaethical issues covered in the course include: What does it mean to say that an action is right? Do moral facts exist? Can we acquire moral knowledge, and if so, how? Examples of central normative ethical questions include: What characterizes a morally right action? What traits define a morally good person? The theories discussed are critically examined and, where appropriate, applied to real-world moral problems.
Instructor and Examiner: Isaac Taylor isaac.taylor@philosophy.su.se
Political Philosophy I, 7.5 ECTS
This module deals with key questions and theories in political philosophy, with a particular focus on social justice. Central topics include the relationship between citizens and the state, the nature of just social institutions, civic duties, political and human rights, and democracy. Major theories such as liberalism, socialism, and feminism are explored. The course discusses and critically analyzes these issues and theories, including their application to contemporary social and political problems.
Instructor and Examiner: Antoinette Schertz antoinette.schertz@philosophy.su.se
Philosophy of Economics and the Social Sciences, 7.5 ECTS
This module provides an overview and analysis of central concepts and problems in the philosophy of economics and the social sciences. Examples of core concepts include welfare, rationality, and collective choice. Topics addressed may include the relationship between preferences, welfare, and value, as well as fundamental questions about the nature of welfare and its measurement.
Instructor and Examiner: Erik Angner erik.angner@philosophy.su.se
Teaching Format
Teaching primarily consists of lectures and/or seminars. In addition to these scheduled sessions, students are expected to devote a significant amount of time to independent study in order to thoroughly engage with the course literature and any other assigned material. Note that much of the literature is in English, and some modules may be taught in English. When the course is offered in the spring semester (as part of the Business, Ethics and Sustainability programme), the entire course is taught in English.
Assessment
Each module is assessed through a written exam, and grades are awarded according to the A–F grading scale. These module grades are then combined to determine the final grade for the entire course. The most common exam format is digital in-class examination, though take-home exams may also occur.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with Stockholm University's rules regarding cheating and plagiarism. More information is available here:
https://www.su.se/utbildning/studera-vid-universitetet/dina-rättigheter-och-skyldigheter?open-collapse-boxes=ccbd-fuskochplagiat
Examiner
Bahelor's Programme in Business, Ethics and Sustainability:
Isaac Taylor isaac.taylor@philosophy.su.se
