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BUU11540 Fundamentals of Philosophy, Ethics and Social Science 

(10 ECTS credits)

Module Description/Content

  • The first part of the module introduces students to the central philosophical issues and methodology of the Western canon and how they are applicable today, especially regarding business and society.
  • The second part of the module introduces students to the central ethical and political theories of the Western canon as relevant to business and society.
  • The third part of the module introduces students to central current issues and methodologies of the social sciences as relevant to business and society.

Lecturer(s):

Professor Julian Friedland
Email: j.friedland@tcd.ie

Learning Outcomes

  • Become familiar with the foundational issues and methodology of the Western philosophical canon and how they continue to be applicable today.
  • Learn the major Western theories of ethics and political theory and how to correctly apply them in contemporary business contexts.
  • Develop critical thinking, reading and writing skills on contemporary business-ethical debates including more relativism, social justice and ethics in marketing and technology.
  • Become familiar with current issues and methodology of social science, particularly in economics, sociology, cultural anthropology, and organizational science.

Learning Aims

The module introduces students to a working knowledge of the key issues and methodology of Western philosophy, ethics, political theory and social science.

Required Reading

  • Knowledge: A very Short Introduction. Jennifer Nagel. Oxford. 2014.
  • Morality and the Good Life: An Introduction to Ethics from Classical Sources. Solomon, Greene and Martin. 4th ed.McGraw Hill.2004.
  • What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets. Michael Sandel. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. 2013
  • The Skeptical Economist: Revealing the Ethics Behind Economics.  Jonathan Aldred . Routledge. 2010.

Assessment

There are four elements to the assessment of the course, namely:
MT - Assignment 1- 20%
HT - Assignment 2 - 20%
Attendance and Participation - 10%
Annual Examination x 3 hours - 50%

Dates of Submission

See module BU1540 on Blackboard site.