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78351-01 - Seminar: Ethics Beyond the Human: Animals and Artificial Intelligence (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Tristan Katz (tristan.katz@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This course asks three connected questions. First, what reasons do we have to think that at least some nonhuman animals and some artificial systems may be conscious or sentient? Second, if they are, what follows for their moral standing? Third, what are the practical implications for how we ought to act toward them, both individually and in the design of our institutions? The course will applies debates about moral status (sentience, agency, rights, and relational views) to current scientific understandings of animal and artificial minds. Ways of dealing with empirical and moral uncertainty are also covered. Particular focus cases include factory farming; wild-animal suffering; the ethics of creating artificial minds; and the risks associated by the creation of highly intelligent AI. |
| Learning objectives | By the end of the course, students will be able to: 1) Explain the main reasons to think some animals and some artificial systems may be conscious or sentient; 2) Summarize and compare leading views about moral status; 3) Link evidence about minds to claims about moral standing in clear argumentative steps; 4) Propose and defend practical recommendations for how we should act toward these beings; 5) Use simple frameworks for reasoning under uncertainty when facts or moral principles are unclear; 6) Plan, draft, and revise a short philosophical paper with a clear thesis, structured argument, use of sources, and considered objections. |
| Bibliography | To be announced in the first session. |
| Comments | Dozent: Tristan Katz |
| Admission requirements | No strict requirements, but some familiarity with ethical theory is assumed. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 18.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 25.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Wednesday 04.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 11.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 18.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 25.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 01.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 08.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 15.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 22.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 29.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 06.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 13.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 20.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Wednesday 27.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 |
| Modules |
Modul: Probleme der Praktischen Philosophie (Bachelor's degree subject: Philosophy) Module: Practical Philosophy (Master's degree subject: Philosophy) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Participation (20%) - Based on submission of eight reading responses and active seminar discussion. Pass/fail. Final paper (80%) BA 2000–3000 words; MA 3000–4500 words. A sustained argumentative essay on any topic from the course. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Philosophie |