CTT: Ethics in the age of technology and information

Code:

CTT_EETI01

Acronym:

CTT_EETI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Philosophy and ethics

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S (edição n.º 1)

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://sigarra.up.pt/flup/en/CUR_GERAL.CUR_VIEW?pv_ano_lectivo=2022&pv_origem=CUR&pv_tipo_cur_sigla=UFC&pv_curso_id=23901
Responsible unit:	Department of Philosophy
Course/CS Responsible:	Transversal and Transferable Skills: Ethics in the age of technology and information

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CTT_EETI	2	Study plan	1	-	1,5	12	40,5
M.EA	0	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	12	40,5
M.EC	0	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	12	40,5
M.EMAT	0	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	12	40,5
M.EMG	0	Plano de estudos oficial a partir de 2008/09	1	-	1,5	12	40,5
M.EQ	0	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	12	40,5
M.IA	0	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	12	40,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Classes take place at FEUP - Room B011. Days 5, 12, 19, 26 March, 2 and 9 April 2026, from 5pm to 7pm.

At the end of this course, the students should know/be able:
1. To know the fundamentals of Ethics or Moral Philosophy;
2. To understand the challenges Ethics is experiencing due to technological and information "revolution";
3. To analyze ethical puzzles and dilemmas in different fields of human action;
4. To identify and discuss ethical implications of technological devices to improve human body performance;
5. To identify and discuss ethical implications of recording and use of massive individual information generated by the individual use of electronic devices.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the frequency, the student must:
- Know the fundamental concepts of Ethics or Moral Philosophy for the discussion of ethical problems.
- Understand the nature of the challenges tackled by Ethics due to technification and digitalization of life and society.
- Use the basic tools to analyze ethical challenges in issues involving technologies and digital devices.
- Discuss cases and dilemas in an argued way.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Ethics or moral philosophy: the fundamental concepts
2. Novelty or continuity of problems brought to ethics by massive technologization and computerization.
3. Reasons for acting and ethical dilemmas about advantages and risks of technologies and computerization and their combinations.
4. Discussion of cases: (1) AI resources; (2) Potentiation of human life with technological devices; (3) Citizenship and personal data (4) Possibilities and limitation of freedom: choice and control.

Mandatory literature

Bowels, Cennydd; Future Ethics, NowNext Press, London , 2018
Floridi, Luciano (ed.); The Ethics of Information, Oxford University Press, Oxford , 2013
Patrão Neves, M.ª Céu - M.ª Graça Carvalho (eds.); Ética Aplicada: Novas Tecnologias, Ed. 70, Lisboa , 2018
Santos, José Manuel; Introdução à ética, Documenta, Lisboa , 2012
Shafer-Landau, Russ; Living Ethics. An Introduction with Readings, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013

Teaching methods and learning activities

— Theoretical and practical classes to teach basic ethical concepts to the understanding of issues that result from the massive use of technologies and information, for example in the enhancement of human performance, autonomy of choice and action, individual values.
— Analysis and reading of philosophical texts on the problems under discussion.
— Immersion in ethical issues through the discussion of cases and dilemmas.
— Assessment includes participation in classes and a final written test.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	20,00
Teste	80,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	28,50
Frequência das aulas	12,00
Total:	40,50

Eligibility for exams

75% attendance.

Calculation formula of final grade

20% in-person participation;
2 tests 80%.