New Blogs

I have begun using Edublogs to host a new hub of RE blogs. There is a general blog, then specific blogs for each year group. Click on the appropriate links below to visit the new blogs. Obviously all the information and ideas found here will remain!

Our RE "hub" - This is where general information will go. You can also find links to all the other blogs here.

Year 7 RE Blog - For information about the Year 7 course, for good work and a place where you can comment on the work of others.

Year 8 RE Blog - Specifically for Year 8s - there are already a variety of tasks and student comments on this blog.

Year 9 RE Blog - Does what it says on the tin. For Year 9s.

GCSE RS Blog - Year 10s and 11s share a blog, for all things GCSE related, including the mark scheme and links to the specification.

AS RS Blog - For anything to do with the AS course.

A2 RS Blog - For all things A2 related.

Theology and Imagination Blog - This blog is a bit different. I'm sure you all realise that TV, films, books, art etc all gain their inspiration from religious, theological, spiritual, moral and ethical issues! Here's the place to discuss the works of art and media projects to consider what we can learn from them.

I hope that you will find these new blogs easy to use, and that we will get more people taking part in the blogging adventure.

Enhanced podcast

Click here for an enhanced podcast about Virtue Ethics. Sorry, couldn't upload it straight to this site.

Mark my Essay ...

Remember, I wrote this in 20 minutes, which is why there is no substantial part (b). Sorry! But now try and mark it using the mark scheme in the previous post, and post a comment telling me how many marks I would get for part (a), and why.

AS Mark Scheme

Use this mark scheme to mark the essay which I'll try and put up in the next couple of days.

AS Exam Essay Questions

If you had to choose one of the following three questions, which would you choose, why, and how would you answer?

1. a) Explain the Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives. (33)
b) 'It's always right to do one's duty.' Discuss. (17)

2. a) Explain the main features of one absolutist theory of ethics. (33)
b) 'Moral absolutism is too rigid.' Discuss. (17)

3. a) Explain how a follower of Natural Law might respond to issues raised by genetic engineering. (33)
b) 'Genetic engineering is "playing God".' Discuss. (17)

AS Exam Essay Questions

If you had to choose one of these exam questions, which would you choose? What would you write?

1. a) Explain how moral relativism might be applied to voluntary euthanasia. (33)
b) 'Moral relativism is not the best approach to voluntary euthanasia.' Discuss. (17)

2. a) Explain the main differences between Act and Rule Uilitarianism. (33)
b) 'Rule Utilitarianism ignores consequences.' Discuss. (17)

3. a) Explain objections to abortion in the religious ethics you have studied. (33)
b) 'A foetus is a person and should be protected at all costs.' Discuss. (17)

Video and Audio: Embryo Research

There have been a lot of relevant, controversial and interesting articles in the news recently relating to Embryo Research and other Genetic Engineering issues, all of which are of particular interest to the A Level students. There are many informative videos on the BBC Video and Audio search on Embryo site. One of the most recent issues is whether embryos should be allowed to be screened for a breast cancer gene, in order to protect future children. Is this a good idea, saving future lives from the heartache caused by cancer, or does it diminish the personhood of all those with, or those who may be diagnosed in the future as having, cancer? What would Natural Law have to say about this? Or Act or Rule Utilitarianism?

First podcast ...

Well, AS class, I said I'd try and make a podcast. I think I have succeeded (although I'm afraid since it's my first attempt it may be quite boring!) I'm not sure if I can host it here ... I'm going to try though. In the meantime, find it on my podbean site.



I did it!!!! Can you listen to it okay? Remember, try listening to it with a pen and paper.

First podcast ...

Well, AS class, I said I'd try and make a podcast. I think I have succeeded (although I'm afraid since it's my first attempt it may be quite boring!) I'm not sure if I can host it here ... I'm going to try though. In the meantime, find it on my podbean site.

Woman loses final embryo appeal

Natallie Evans began IVF treatment with her partner after learning that she had ovarian cancer. Six fertilised embryos were frozen so she could have children later. However, she split up with her partner, and he then withdrew his consent for these embryos to be used. This means that Ms Evans cannot have children. Today was her final chance, as the Grand Chamber of the European Court agreed with the British courts and the European Court of Human Rights, that her ex-partner's right to withdraw consent should be upheld. This will mean that the six embryos will now be destroyed. Click here for an article by the BBC.

AS students ... you may need to consider issues such as this in your exam. Whose rights should be considered here? The woman, her ex-partner, the embryo? What stance would different theories take?

AS Ethics - Main Paper

Here's an overview of what you need to know for the main Ethics paper:

Kant and the Categorical Imperative
- Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, 1785)
- The moral law
- Good will and duty
- The Imperatives (Categorical and Hypothetical)
- The Kingdom of Ends
- Strengths and Weaknesses
- Position on Medical Ethics (abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, embryology, right to a child)

Utilitarianism

- Jeremy Bentham (Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, 1789)
- Principle of Utility
- Teleological ... consequences
- Humans seek pleasure and try to avoid pain.
- An action is right if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
- The Hedonic Calculus: intensity, duration, certainty, closeness, followed by similar sensations, purity, extent.

- John Stuart Mill (Utilitarianism, 1863)
- If quantitative pleasure, nothing would stop one's pleasure being extinguished for the sake of the minority.
- Therefore: qualitative pleasures are better.
- Higher pleasures (of the mind) and lower pleasures (of the body)

- Act Utilitarianism
- each individual situation
- flexible
- could justify virtually any act

- Rule Utilitarianism
- best overall rule which if followed by whole community leads to greatest result
- JSM: I must obey the rule even if it does not lead to the greatest pleasure for me in this situation
- could still permit morally unacceptable practices eg slavery

- Strengths and Weaknesses of each position
- Position on Medical Ethics

Absolute and Relative Morality
- Know the difference between the two
- Know examples of Ethical Theories that fit into each
- Know Philosophers attached to each
- Know strengths and weaknesses of each
- Know the position of each on Medical Ethics

Medical Ethics
- You will be asked questions about the positions of various ethical theories on the following areas of medical ethics:
- Abortion
- Euthanasia
- Genetic Engineering (in particular, cloning)
- Embryology
- The right to a child (not to be confused with the right to life!)
- You should know the strengths and weaknesses of each of the theories when dealing with these issues.
- You should know some key facts and issues that should be addressed in each issue.

As you can see, we still have a lot to revise ... watch this space for more help, suggestions and exam questions!

AS Revision - Foundation Paper

Here is a list of what you need to know for the AS Ethics exams (Foundation paper, main paper to follow):

Foundation Paper

Meta-Ethics
Be able to compare meta-ethics with normative ethics.

Naturalism - FH Bradley (Ethical Studies, 1876)
Intuitionism - GE Moore (Principia Ethica, 1903)
Emotivism - AJ Ayer (Language, Truth and Logic, 1936)
Prescriptivism - RM Hare (The Language of Morals, 1952)

Can we scientifically prove rightness or wrongness?
Where do we gain our sense of right and wrong?
Are moral statements linked to actions or just feelings?
Does morality have a rational basis?

Moral Relativism
Situationism - J Fletcher (Situation Ethics, 1966)
The belief that moral truth varies depending on culture, religion, time, place ...
Fletcher - right choice: produces the most loving consequence in that particular situation.
Flexible ... subjective ... how do we know what is the most loving thing to do?

Virtue Ethics
Aristotle (Nichomachean Ethics, 4th century BCE)
What are the qualities that make someone good?
Do our actions indicate our virtues and vices?
Eudaimonia - the ultimate end or happiness, reached by practising virtuous behaviour.
Virtues: courage, temperance, liberality, munificence, high-mindedness, right ambition, good temper, civility, sincerity, wittiness, modesty, just resentment.
Find a Golden Mean between extremes of excessiveness or deficiency.
Alasdair MacIntyre (After Virtue, 1981): our society has lost track of these values.
Encompasses all parts of human life ... duty to act virtuously ... what should we do if virtues conflict?

Natural Law
Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica, 1273)
Influenced by Aristotle: 'The natural is that which everywhere is equally valid."
Divine law as opposed to human law.
Law is in scripture, but can be deducted using reason.
We must act in a way that is in accordance with God's purpose for humanity.
Five precepts: to preserve life, reproduce, educate children, live in society, worship God.
Intention and act are both important.
Catholic teaching influenced by Natural Law.
Provides communities with clear common rules.
Simplistic to say there is a single human purpose.
Does not take into account consequences of actions.

Go through the list - colour code them using a traffic light system: red if you really don't know, amber if you are unsure, green if you feel confident.

Make sure you know the strengths and weaknesses of each Theory, so you can evaluate them.

IVF in the news

Twin IVF births 'need to be cut' says the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority. Women often used to have more than one embryo implanted to make it more likely that one would survive. However, IVF has become more successful, so the number of twins being born has increased. These twins are more likely to be born premature, and therefore are more at risks of encountering other problems. There is therefore a suggestion that women should be encouraged to be only given one embryo - but at the risk that this embryo might not survive.

Read the articles, watch the film, and consider not only what you think, but also what Kant, Fletcher, Bentham, Mills, Catholics, Liberal Protestants might think. Post a comment, AS class! Get involved ... let's try and start a discussion.

Podcast

I'm trying to work out how to attach a podcast to this blog. Have any of you any ideas how to do that? When it is eventually uploaded, I would advise you to listen to it with your notes in front of you. Take notes as you listen.

My first video - can you see it?

AS class, this is just my first attempt at making a video. Please leave a comment with your initials, telling me if you think iMovies like this might be helpful (eg can you watch it okay?!). See you on Wednesday!

A Note to my AS Class

Hello! Hope you are remembering to have a look on this blog for help with revision! Not a lot on Utilitarianism at the moment, I'm afraid, but there will be some to come ... watch this space! In the meantime, read through your notes, highlight the key passages, and summarise what you are learning, so you can revise from it more easily in the few weeks to come. Good luck!

Abolition of the Slave Trade

I've just been pointed towards another anti-slavery website, Set All Free. AS class ... how might utilitarians view slavery? What about absolutists, or relativists?

CAFOD Big Deal Homework Help

Another great site that will help you in loads of ways, with RE, Geography, Citizenship ... Click on the Big Deal Homework Help link and find out about CAFOD, Debt, HIV and AIDS, Trade, Fairtrade Fortnight, Conflict, Aid, Emergencies, the Environment ...

That Religious Studies Website

I've found another useful website. That Religious Studies Website has lots of articles on different topics that may be relevant to GCSE students and A Level students.

Legal Battle over "Right to Die"

Right to die? Read this article, and watch the clip, to find out more about Kelly Taylor's battle to force doctors to end her life.

Listen to Kelly's story ... should she be allowed to be helped to die? Or is it right that euthanasia remains illegal in the UK?