Transcript Philosophy and Ethics

Philosophy
and Ethics
Welcome to GCE Philosophy and Ethics
By the end of this course you will:
• Appreciate the contribution of
philosophy and ethics to the
understanding of the wider world.
• Develop transferable skills such as
problem solving, critical thinking,
negotiating, communication and
expressing complex ideas.
• These qualities and attitudes will
equip you for the challenges,
opportunities and responsibilities
of adult and working life.
Is Philosophy and Ethics a respected A Level?
The Russell Group of top
universities has made it clear that
RS A level provides ‘suitable
preparation for University
generally’.
Cambridge and Oxford list Philosophy and Ethics
as a suitable ‘arts’ A Level alongside History,
Geography and English Literature.
In fact 20% of students admitted to Oxford
University to study maths in 2012 had a Philosophy
and Ethics A level (more than those with
Economics, Physics and Business Studies A levels).
Is Philosophy and Ethics a respected A
Level?
“Employers have
discovered that a mind
sharpened by the study of
Philosophy is ideal for
today’s work place.”
GCE Philosophy and Ethics
“We have seen the
consequences of people not
thinking through the
consequences of their actions
and not testing their assumptions.
Smart employers want people
who can see ahead.”
Institute of Philosophy at
University of London.
Where can Philosophy and Ethics A
Level take me?
The skills that you will learn in Religious Studies
will be useful to you in any number of careers:
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Teaching
Youth work
Social work
Journalism
Lawyer
Charity work
Anthroplogy
Civil service
Counsellor
Economics A Level:
Assessment
Exam board:
Assessment:
Percentage:
Examination
100%
Coursework
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Detail:
• 2 exams sat at the end of Year 13.
Paper 1: 1hr 30 mins (50%)
Paper 2: 1 hr 30 mins (50%)
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What will I study?
Christianity
• Key Christian beliefs
• Religious figures and sacred texts
• Social and Historical developments in religious thought
• How religion shapes personal identity
Philosophy Themes
• Arguments for the existence of God
• Challenges to religious belief
• Religion as a product of the human mind
• Religious Experiences, i.e. mysticism, visions, miracles
Ethics Themes
• Influences on moral decision making
• Is morality intuitive?
• What determines if an action is good/bad, right/wrong?
• Are actions predetermined or do we have free will?
Commitment
GCE Philosophy and Ethics
What skills are needed?
• An ability to think critically
• An ability to present a reasoned argument
• Application skills to relate real world events to philosophical and
ethical theory
• To present your own opinion clearly and coherently
• Essay writing skills
Expectations and workload
• 3 internal formal assessments completed per academic year
• 2 to 3 homework assignments completed per week (essays, research
or readings)
• High level of independent reading to support classroom learning
• An intrinsic interest in current affairs and appreciation of the diversity
of the culture we live in.
The Trolley Scenario
"Suppose you are the driver of a trolley. The trolley rounds a bend, and
there come into view ahead five track workmen, who have been
repairing the track. The track goes through a bit of a valley at that
point, and the sides are steep, so you must stop the trolley if you are
to avoid running the five men down. You step on the brakes, but
alas they don't work. Now you suddenly see a spur of track leading
off to the right. You can turn the trolley onto it, and thus save the
five men on the straight track ahead. Unfortunately,...there is one
track workman on that spur of track. He can no more get off the
track in time than the five can, so you will kill him if you turn the
trolley onto him"
(Thomson 1985, 1395).
What do you think would be the correct
thing to do in this situation- why?
Option 1
Throw the switch in order to maximize well-being (five
people surviving is greater than one)
Utilitarianism
Utilitarians believe the most ethical course of action is the
one that offers the greatest good for the greatest
number of people. Utilitarians value consequence over
action.
Option 2
Throw the switch because you are a virtuous person, and
saving five lives is the type of charitable and
compassionate act a virtuous person performs
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethicists determine ethicality by considering the
character or natural tendencies of a person as opposed
to their actions or the consequences of their actions
Option 3
Do not throw the switch because that would be a form of
killing, and killing is inherently wrong
Deontology
"Deontology...is an approach to ethics that focuses on the
rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, as
opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the
consequences of those actions"
Option 4
Do not throw the switch because you are a Christian, and
the Ten Commandments teach that killing is against the
will of God.
Divine Command Theory
Divine command theorists believe the only ethical and
moral courses of action are those that coincide with the
will or command of God.
Can we ever know if God
exists? Why?
Should religion have ultimate
authority?
If miracles are possible, why
does God choose to help
some people and not others?
The role of religion: is it a
projection of need or used as
a tool to oppress the poor?
GCE Philosophy and Ethics
Department contact details
• Mrs Sherrie Docherty (PD)
• [email protected]
• 01949 863072
2015/16 Department Performance
• 75% of students achieved an A*-C
grade at the end of Year 13
• 91% of student achieved an A-C
grade at the end of Year 12
Example student destinations
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History – Oxford University
Philosophy – University of Nottingham
Forensic Science – Staffordshire University
Politics – Sheffield University
Social Anthropology – Edinburgh University
Criminology – Derby University
Psychology – University of York
Course requirements
• College entry
requirements
• Essential: Grade ‘5’ in
GCSE English Literature
and Language
• Desirable: B grade in
GCSE Philosophy and
Ethics
GCE Philosophy and Ethics Enrichment
Conference at
Cambridge University
Also students will have opportunity to take part
in cross-curricular trip to Paris with students from
MFL, Geography, History and Law
Favourite part of the course
I like having lively debates in lesson –
we all think different things and it’s
interesting to hear other opinions,
especially in ethics when we all think
differently!
I like the unusual tasks
we do like making a
rap about creationism
or looking at baby
photographs to help us
think about personal
identity.
My favourite part of Philosophy it
that it doesn’t tell me what to
think, but how to think. This is the
main reason I have chosen to
do it at university.
Philosophy
and Ethics