Ethics in the World - What is Value?

Ethics in the World - What is Value? Tuesday 3 February to 10 March 2026, 6.30pm to 8.30pm

We very much look forward to welcoming both new and returning students to the University of Southampton. Unless otherwise stated, all courses will be taught in person at our Avenue Campus.

We would like to advise that you will need to have the appropriate technology and suitable internet connection in place, as we will be making use of online materials. At Southampton, we use a virtual learning environment (VLE) called Blackboard which is used to deliver learning materials and real-time online teaching for our students.

Ethics in the World - What is Value?

This course offers the opportunity to investigate the part of our world that makes it meaningful – its value. From the beauty of art to the excitement of a new relationship, we see value almost everywhere we look. And yet, it’s hard to say exactly what we’re seeing when this happens. Value isn’t, after all, something we can prod with a scientific instrument.

So, how are we supposed to find out what value is? Week to week, we’ll explore some different puzzles about it through six key questions. For example, are our moral judgements more than just emotional reactions? Can we choose what we value? Is there really such thing as having ‘good taste’ in art?

By the end, you’ll have been introduced to some of the most important topics in Value Theory today – along with ideas that will challenge the way you see the world, and life itself.

This 6-week course will take place at the Avenue Campus on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm starting on 3rd February 2026 and finishing on 10th March 2026.

Please see our price list below:

• Standard price - £115.00
• Staff/student/alumni price - £100.00

Please note: if you select the staff or student price option, you must use an online store account that has been set up with your University email address and fill out your University staff or student ID number when prompted as part of the questionnaire data section.

When booking a course please consult our Terms and Conditions which set out our cancellation and refund policy. 

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.  AMEX is not accepted.
If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a booking.