PUBLIC ETHICS

This course aims at making students able to grasp the main concepts and theories of public and applied ethics, and of using them in their further studies. In particular, we want to promote argumentative skills, precise language and grasping of conceptual distinctions. A focus will be given to skills in discussion and project works. The topic of corruption will be a specific focus of some classes, where testimonials will be hosted.

A minimal familiarity with political philosophy and pubic law.

Knowledge and understanding This class aims to present to students philosophical principles and dilemmas relevant for public decisions or decisions of public importance, with particular attention to the notion of 'public interest', especially in connection with corruption issues. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding Knowledge and understanding of the principles of public ethics is fundamental for anyone who intends to work in political institutions or in public administration. These skills are achieved through the teaching, and also through the teaching methods, which include frontal lessons, seminar lessons, project work, case analysis. Competence checks are carried out through final and intermediate exams. The teaching activity takes place in a dynamic context, based on the partnership between teachers and learners. The active role of the students is guaranteed not only in the learning process, but also in the evaluation process: self-assessment peer-assessment assessment. Autonomy of judgment At the end of this course, the student is autonomously able to integrate knowledge and analyze the complexity of political phenomena from an ethical point of view, to identify the problems and indicate solutions, including shared solutions; all through the integration of data and empirical research, but also of specific conceptual apparatus. The student will have the critical tools to understand the dynamics and ethical aspects of social and political change, and to elaborate policy responses or strategies. This ability is achieved not only through traditional teaching, but also through participation in seminars, guest lectures and guided discussion of case studies and the implementation of project works. Autonomy will be assessed through written tests and drafts of original comments on topics to be studied in depth. In addition, the assignment of projects such as analysis and resolution of real-life cases requires capacity building to collect and processing up-to-date data and information. The student will therefore acquire a set of tools but also of an aptitude to apply them in an independent and and original way of analysing the problems in the workplace. Learning skills The student is able to deepen autonomously his or her knowledge. In particular he is able to: - a) elaborate her knowledge also in the form of debate on opposing theses prepared with specialized readings; - b) conduct research through the consultation of texts and specialist journals, or through the collection and analysis of data; - d) organise and manage work (initiative, teamwork, coordination of resources, supervision of work and time management, recruitment of responsibility, innovation in problem solving, flexibility of reasoning, ability to adapt to change and negotiating attitude). The strengthening of cultural skills (multidisciplinarity and deepening of linguistic knowledge) corresponds to the strengthening of personal skills, such as the ability to write and speak correctly in Italian, the ability to speak and write in Italian, the ability to speak in public (through the presentation of insights by students during the lessons); the ability to deepen research; the ability to be constantly updated by reading political and philosophical newspapers and magazines and other scientific publications.

The course will cover public ethics between political theory and public law. It will be diveded into the following main modules : i. the general conception of public ethics, at the intersection between ethics, philosophy, law and political theory; ii. the historical formation and conceptual assumptions of the various models of public ethics; iii. applied issues: a. corruption, b. conflicts of interest, c. codes of conduct, d. ethics of public officials, e. transparency of public institutions. A main theme of the whole course will be the notion of 'public interest' and its declinations in various theoretical models and various articulations of administrative law.

A. I. G. Brock, “Varietà di corruzione politica: verso un resoconto più inclusivo”, in Notizie di Politeia, XXXIV, 129, 2018, pp. 6-21 II. E. Ceva e M.P. Ferretti, “La corruzione dei pubblici ufficiali: un male politico o un problema di etica personale?”, in Notizie di Politeia, XXXIV, 129, 2018, pp. 35.49 III. S. Hampshire, Innocenza ed esperienza. Un’etica del conflitto, Feltrinelli, Milano, 1993, Introduzione e cap. 5 IV. T. Ménissier, Filosofia della corruzione, Cronopio, Napoli, 2020 V. S. Miller, “La corruzione istituzionale: un approccio causale”, in Notizie di Politeia, XXXIV, 129, 2018, pp. 22-34 VI. T. Nagel, “La spietatezza nella vita pubblica”, in Id., Questioni mortali, il Saggiatore, Milano, 1998, pp. 78-92 IX. G. Pellegrino, Etica pubblica. Una piccola introduzione, Luiss University Press, Roma, 2015 X. C.A. Viano, Etica pubblica, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2002 XI. M. Walzer, “Azione politica: il problema delle mani sporche”, in Id., Il filo della politica. Democrazia, critica sociale, governo del mondo, Diabasis, Reggio Emilia, 2002, pp. 1-25 XII. B. Williams, “Politica e carattere morale”, in Id., Sorte morale, il Saggiatore, Milano, 1987, pp. 77-96 XIII. Id., “Realismo e moralismo in teoria politica”, in Id., In principio era l’azione. Realismo e moralismo nella teoria politica, Feltrinelli, Milano, 2007, pp. 3-22 XIV. B XV. B.G. Mattarella, Le regole dell’onestà. Etica, politica, amministrazione, il Mulino, Bologna, 2007 (chapters. 1-2; whole book for those who do not attend classes) XVI. Id., “La prevenzione della corruzione in Italia (commento alla legge 6 novembre 2012, n. 190), in Giornale di diritto amministrativo, 2013 XVII. E. D’Alterio, “La trasparenza amministrativa”, in La riforma della pubblica amministrazione. Commento alla legge 124/2015 (Madia) e ai decreti attuativi, a cura di B.G. Mattarella ed E. D’Alterio, Il Sole 24 ore, Milano, 2017

In the course there are both ex cathedra and face-to-face lessons.

Learning and skills will have three moments: 1. 10%: participation: attendance will be verified. Excused absences are those for certified health reasons and for participation in internships, proven by documentation. Top athletes and Luiss students engaged in Erasmus exchanges who have Public Ethics in their study plan are considered not attending. These male and female students will not be evaluated for participation. Participation in guided discussions (see below) is part of participation; 2. 45%: the contents of Professor Pellegrino’s classes will be verified by a written test, the day of the exam, consisting in three open questions, to be responded in not more than ten lines. 3. 45%: the contents of Professor Mattarella’s classes will be verified with a written test, consisting of a multiple choice quiz, made up of 15 questions (each correct answer is worth 1/30 of a point, each wrong answer 0/30) and a open-ended question (which is worth 15/30). The test will be delivered on the Luiss Learn page of the course and will take 45 minutes (30 minutes for the multiple choice quiz, 15 for the open-ended question). The open-ended question will be assigned a score from 0 to 15 based on the following criteria, based on the level of knowledge shown in the answer: insufficient (0), sufficient (7), good (9), very good (12), excellent (15). Students will take the test during exam sessions. The grades will be rounded down for grades up to 5 after the decimal point, rounded up for grades o5 6 or more. Non-attending students should take Professor Mattarella's final test, preparing on all Group B items.

Personal interest.