Module: New Ethical Challenges: Climate, AI & Technology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	New Ethical Challenges: Climate, AI & Technology
Module Code	PHE1033 (ITS: TP529)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module examines a range of contemporary ethical issues and challenges affecting various aspects of life and society in a systematic manner. The module explores key debates and arguments about perennial ethical questions such as: Can stealing ever be justified? What constitutes fair distribution? What is the common good? The module will focus on the ethical questions emerging from 21st century developments: Do we have obligations towards non-human nature and future generations? What values should underpin the development of robots and AI? Should humanity “enhance” itself? The module will engage traditional ethical and political theories to explore these themes while also introducing novel ethical theories being developed in relation to the environment and technological progress. Diverse normative assumptions and backgrounds that inform our moral and political outlooks will be analysed from the perspective of competing ethical theories and principles. Course participants are given the opportunity to reflect on a number of ethical concerns in a critical way to enable them to further their skills of ethical analysis and argumentation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Display a critical awareness of a broad range of contemporary ethical issues that affect society and organisations.
2. Identify and formulate the main questions and arguments that are aligned with these ethical issues and have a sensitivity to the complexity of some issues.
3. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of such issues and discussions that is informed by an ethical perspective.
4. Develop their skills of applying and analysing a range of issues from various ethical theories, principles and positions.
5. Continue to self-evaluate and take responsibility for continuing academic and professional development within the field of ethics.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	226	Completion of assignments over the semester.
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20880	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Fiachra O'Brolchain	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	5000words paper	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Approaches to Applied Ethics

Ethical Issues in Robots and AI

Ethical Issues in Crime and Punishment

Environmental Ethics

Ethical Issues in Information Technology and Social Media

Ethical Issues in Population Growth

Human Enhancement Ethics

Pandemic Ethics

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bostrom, Nick: 2015, Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
Frey, R. G., & Wellman, C. H.: 2008, A Companion to Applied Ethics., John Wiley & Sons., New York,
LaFollette, H.: 2003, The Oxford Handbook of Practical Ethics., Oxford University Press,
Midgley, Mary: 2002, Beast and Man: The Roots of Human Nature, Routledge, New York,
Midgley, M.: 2005, The Myths We Live By, Routledge,
Singer, Peter: 2009, Animal Liberation: A New Ethics for Our Treatment of Animals, Harper Collins.,
Singer, P.: 2011, Practical Ethics, Cambridge University Press,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None