Enhanced podcast

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

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)

Fears over NHS drugs costs ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6652183.stm

How much should we have to pay for drugs that keep us alive? Who should be subsidised? If all drugs were to be free, where should the money come from? How do we make the decision about how much to charge for certain drugs? All these are areas relating to medical ethics ...

Stallone admits hormone charges

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6656407.stm

In the Religion and Sport unit with Year 12s, we have looked at the use of drugs in sport - what are the ethical considerations of Sylvester Stallone possessing growth hormone drugs? He was stopped in Sydney while promoting his most recent Rocky movie ... what example is he setting to his fans? What do you think?

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?

A2 Ethics Exam - What you need to know!

A reminder of what you need to know for the A2 Ethics exam.

Free Will and Determinism
- Hard determinism (Calvin, Augustine, Spinoza)
- Soft determinism
- Libertarianism (Hume, Aquinas)

Conscience
- Aquinas
- Joseph Butler
- Freud

Christian Ethics
- Sources of Roman Catholic ethics (Aquinas' Natural Law, Virtue Ethics, Scripture: esp. Ten Commandments, Sermon on the Mount)
- Protestant Christian ethics (Relativist: Gospel applied to social ethics through love: Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Ramsey, Joseph Fletcher; Absolutist: Robertson McQuilkin, Lewis B. Smedes; liberal Christians / Evangelical Christians: different views on sexuality, abortion etc)
- The purpose of ethical behaviour (to live life the way God wants; in imitation of Christ; in order to enter Heaven; repentance and a desire to do good)
- deontological or teleological?

Environmental Ethics
- preservation of species, conservation of habitats, depeletion of biodiversity and natural resources, ozone layer, effects of pollution
- how our actions affect future well-being of human life
- Criticism of religious approaches to environmental ethics
- Defence of religious approaches to environmental ethics
- Deep ecology and some criticism

Sex and Relationships
- Christian approaches to sexuality (celibacy; marriage; reproduction; contraception; Natural Law; love)
- Other approaches to sexuality (libertarian and contractarian ethic; feminist approaches)
- Christianity and homosexuality

War, Peace and Justice
- "Holy Wars" (crusades, jihad)
- Just War (explained by Thomas Aquinas) (Geneva and Hague Conventions)
- Pacifism (Buddhism, Quakers etc)
- Realism (Reinhold Niebuhr)

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.

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!

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 KidzZone

Click here in order to go to the CAFOD Kidzzone - find out more about Fair Trade, or hunt around for information about Lent, for example the Live Simply campaign.

Forgiveness

Task:

Click on The Forgiveness Project website. Go to stories, and read through some of the stories of reconciliation and conflict resolution.

In your book, summarise three of the stories you think are most interesting. You could copy out the key quotes into your book.

Then post a comment on this blog saying which story you find most inspirational, motivating or hopeful, and why. Leave your first name or your initials so I can see who has completed the task.

Abolition of the Slave Trade

Today is the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade. The BBC website has lots of information about the Slave Trade and how it's abolition was brought about in the UK. But remember, there are still people who are enslaved today. You could also visit the Anti-Slavery webpage to find out more about modern day slavery.

Live Simply

If you have looked at the CAFOD site, you might have seen the Live Simply promises being mentioned. Have a look at the Live Simply webpage to find out more ... Is there a promise there that you could keep during Lent?

More Fairtrade Fortnight resources

You can find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight at the CAFOD website. Year 9s can use this to help with your homework over the next two weeks; GCSE students will find info on here to help with Unit C5, Religion: Wealth and Poverty. There is even a student-friendly page that I have just found, as part of the Big Deal site.