PP3FAI: Fairness

Module code: PP3FAI

Module provider: Philosophy; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Charlotte Newey , email: c.newey@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Fairness is a complex yet familiar concept. In this module, we are seeking a thorough understanding of fairness and how it that shapes our understanding of justice, and morality. We will delve into different theories of fairness, asking questions about its importance and relationship to concepts such as justice, impartiality, need, and deservingness. By examining real-world examples such as global poverty, climate change, and the intersection of fairness and moral demandingness, we will gain a deeper understanding of this abstract idea. Whether in personal relationships, business dealings, or larger societal issues, fairness is a key component of a just and equitable world.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a deep understanding of different theories of fairness and their implications for justice, impartiality, and morality.
2. Apply your understanding of fairness to real-world examples, using them to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of theories of fairness.
3. Apply your research and critical thinking skills to explore the relationships between fairness, justice, impartiality, need, and deservingness using new philoosophical materials from lectures, seminars and the course Talis raeding list to develop and sustain an argument for your own view
4. Demonstrate strong analytical skills by interpreting and evaluating arguments within important texts in the philosophy of fairness.
5. Cultivate effective communication skills by presenting and defending your own arguments about the philosophy of fairness in written and oral formats.
6. Enhance your ability to think reflectively and critically about the role of fairness in society.

Module content

Topics covered on the module will typically include: the nature of impartiality and its relation to fairness, how fairness connects to the free-rider problem, the idea that fairness is merely a matter of the equal treatment of equals, the idea that fairness requires proportionality, the ideas that fairness requires treating people in accordance with their needs or their deservingness.

Questions about global fairness as well as questions about local fairness will be discussed.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is taught through interactive lecture/seminars, which include working in breakout groups, to discuss philosophical views and applications, to reflect on set readings and the to share ideas with fellow students. Each week students will be introduced to different academic texts, and the arguments within them.

Students are encouraged to be active in all classes, asking questions and trying to answer the questions posed by others.

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.