The Licentiate in Moral Philosophy provides a comprehensive deepening into ethics and political philosophy by examining fundamental questions concerning the nature of the good life and the just society. Through critical analysis of classic works of ethics and political philosophy, as well as the major traditions of normative ethics, the curriculum aims to train students to meet our time’s moral and political challenges.

Learn more about the 2024-2025 curriculum (in Italian)

Target Audience

 This course is for anyone interested in exploring the major themes of ethics and political philosophy and wishing to understand moral and social issues deeply. Both lay and religious students are invited to participate in this course.

Objectives

The curriculum of this specialization, coordinated by Fr. Dominic Farrell, L.C., aims to train researchers and teachers in moral and political philosophy. To this end, courses, seminars, and study circles focus on the study:

• of the classical works of ethics and political philosophy;
• of the main traditions of normative ethics (natural law, virtue ethics, etc.) and the underlying meta-ethical issues
• applied ethics (justice, bioethics, economic ethics, environmental ethics, etc.);
• the major themes of political philosophy.

In keeping with the specific identity of the faculty, particular interest is given to constructively comparing Christian morality with contemporary debates on ethics and Catholic social thought with current research in political philosophy.

Admission Requirements

1. Qualifications: Students must have completed a first-cycle philosophy course in an ecclesiastical faculty to be admitted to the second cycle. Alternatively, those with equivalent degrees from civil universities may also be accepted after evaluation by the Dean.
2. Grade Point Average: Students must demonstrate a minimum grade point average of 8/10 to be admitted to the second cycle.
3. Language skills: Students must have sufficient knowledge of Italian and English to participate in courses and seminars effectively.
4. Competency in Latin: Candidates must demonstrate a sufficient knowledge of Latin to work scientifically with Latin philosophical texts, which must be validated by successfully passing university courses in Latin.

Upon acceptance into the program, students are required to fulfill the curriculum requirements specific to their chosen specialization. This entails composing a Licentiate thesis on a topic related to that specialization and passing the prescribed examinations.

Course Format

DIDACTIC INNOVATION: The curriculum, renewed and approved by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, integrates technology in the training process to promote a better integral development of the students from an active learning perspective in which they are the protagonists. The utilization of new tools facilitates continuous communication between students and professors, with the possibility of remote attendance (up to a maximum of 30% of the subjects).

Attendance options:

1. First year in person and second year remotely.
2. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in person; Monday and Friday remotely during the whole cycle.

Learn more about the 2024-2025 curriculum (in Italian)