Dr Alexander Voorhoeve, Prof Michael Otsuka, Dr Katie Steele and Dr Peter Dennis

This course is compulsory on the BSc in Politics and Philosophy. This course is available on the BSc in Philosophy and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method and BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

 The course offers critical reflection on the design and evaluation of public policies from the perspective of moral and political philosophy. To this end, we study a range of theories and concepts that are used in policy evaluation. We often discuss and evaluate them by focusing on specific policy proposals. The course addresses questions such as: 1. What is well-being, how is it measured, and how should it be measured? 2. When, if ever, is paternalism justified? 3. What is the role of personal responsibility in determining people’s claims on public resources? 4. When, if ever, is equality in the distribution of goods (such as health, income, or well-being) important? 5. How should we evaluate risks of harm and chances of benefit to people? 6. When is it permissible to harm others in self-defence? 7. What are our rights to freedom of expression? 8. Is torture ever justified? 9. What are the limits on privacy? 10. What moral principles govern our treatment of non-human animals?

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT.

Students will be expected to produce 2 essays in the MT and 1 essay and 1 exercise in the LT.

J. Wolff. (2011) Ethics and Public Policy: A Philosophical Inquiry; J. Feinberg. (1971) 'Paternalism'; J.S. Mill 'On Liberty'; National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2008) 'Social Value Judgments'; D. Parfit (2000) 'Equality or Priority?'; J. McMahan (2009), 'Killing in War'; R. Dworkin et al (1997): 'Assisted Suicide: The Philosophers' Brief'; S. White (2004) 'What's Wrong with Workfare?'; Regan (1980): 'Utilitarianism, Vegetarianism, and Animal Rights'.;;; White

Exam (67%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (33%, 2000 words) in the ST.