The Philosophy of Policymaking

Aim

On completion of the course, the students should on an advanced level be able to:

• analyse concepts, theories, and problems in the field of the philosophy of policymaking
• develop theory-based arguments on specific policy-related philosophical issues
• formulate theory-based descriptions of a policy problem, based on theory from the philosophy of science
• formulate theory-based descriptions of a policy problem, based on theory from applied ethics
• apply a critical approach to positions and arguments in policymaking

Content

The course addresses philosophical questions within policy work. The research area of the philosophy of policymaking is introduced through case studies in policy areas where philosophical questions are central. Fundamental ethical theory and questions of the philosophy of science are covered in the course. Theories from these research areas are applied to practical problems. The course assumes that policy design requires an understanding of how a practical problem should be conceptualized and a normative view on how the same problem should be solved.