Free Will and Determinism Welcome to A2 Ethics. The first topic we will be studying is Free Will and Determinism and the key questions are, are we free and how do you know and should we be held morally responsible for our actions? You probably already have an answer to this question, maybe not a straight forward answer, but one that involves other questions and ideas- simply put; there isn t a simple answer to this that stands up to deep enquiry. To offer a strong response you must explore a range of responses and evaluate them to arrive at a conclusion. This is your starter challenge. Task: I want you to prepare a multi-media presentation that explores this question and a range of responses from other students, key texts and important ethical thinkers. This should be an academic study that involves you asking questions, researching relevant books, movies and other media, internet sources and concluding by presenting your findings and your own informed viewpoint. Below I have included the questions we have explored today in class- you might decide to use these to help frame your research and interviews. Included also are some internet sources that explore the questions and issues from different perspectives. 1. Are we as free as we think? 2. What factors limit our ability to act freely? 3. How should individual freedom be balanced against social interests? 4. Can we be morally blameworthy for our actions if we are not free? http://cafephilosophy.co.nz/articles/are-we-free-or-determined/ Café Philosophy- ARE WE FREE OR DETERMINED? Written by Luke Pollard and Rebecca Massey-Chase http://www.peoplesworld.org/are-we-free/ by: Thomas Michalak July 13 2011 People s World http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21528772.300-can-we-live-without-free-will.html Can we live without free will? New Scientist 2012 http://www.reformation21.org/articles/do-we-have-free-will.php Do We Have Free Will? Article by Andrew Naselli August 2009 http://www.sspxasia.com/documents/catholic_doctrine/ Are-we-really-free-to-do-whatever-we-want.htm Are we really free to do everything we want? Catholic Doctrine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8le4uu49su8&feature=rel ated Steven Pinker & Richard Dawkins on Free Will http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6s9oidmnzm Neuroscience and Free Will http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q40pfslxmzy Do You Have Free Will?: Prager University
Sanctity of life Welcome to AS Ethics Quality of life Philosophy and Ethics I hope you enjoyed the ethical discussion today about the Sanctity of Life V Quality of Life and have started thinking about what these philosophical ideas might actually mean in real life and the ethical issues they raise. Over the holiday I want you to explore these ideas in more depth and create a presentation for the first lesson back that shows what ideas, news stories (local/ national/ global), movies, music etc. you have investigated and what they have taught you/ made you think about. The presentation can be a power point summarising your investigation with video links etc., or can be in the form of a video/ web page/ other creative ideas??? There is no maximum time limit on your research and project, but you should aim to invest at least two hours. I want you to be creative and enjoy exploring these ideas, but here is some guidance: 1) What the philosophical ideas of sanctity of life and quality life actually mean and where the ideas came from. 2) What they mean for a religious person/ non- religious/ doctor/ solider/ others? 3) How these ideas apply to issues such as: stem cell research/ cloning/ genetic engineering/ abortion/ euthanasia 4) What are your views? Some suggested web links to start your research: http://www.thorpe-st-andrewhigh.co.uk/subjects/tsas_re/ethics.html Very accessible for AS Ethics students- links to key information and relevant ethical issues and responses. http://www.ethicsforschools.org/alevelrs.htm Gateway site for AS and A2 ethical studies http://www.neuroethics.ox.ac.uk/bio-ethics_bites Bio-ethics bites: cutting edge material supported by Oxford Uni with downloadable MP3 audio files. For AS and A2 studies http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lawreport/south-americaabortion/4759210 A 22-year-old woman from El Salvador has focused international attention on the nation s tough abortion laws http://www.christian.org.uk/resources/theology/apologetics/the-sanctity-of-life/ Beliefs about the sanctity of life lie at the heart of all the ethical debates on embryo experiments, abortion and euthanasia.
Genetic Engineering Do you believe it is right or wrong? interfering with nature?.going against God s will? trying to do the best for the next generation using techniques available? developing useful new techniques but they need regulation?. making a fuss over nothing, these are just media scare stories Homework Genetic engineering is wrong and should be banned. Do you agree? 10 marks To get a grade A you should: Candidates critically evaluate and justify a point of view through the use of evidence and reasoned argument. They construct coherent and well-organised argument supported by examples or sources of evidence. Identify strengths and weaknesses of the argument and use accurate and fluent expression. To get grade B you should: Candidates demonstrate organisation and coherence. They offer answers that are evaluative, using argument and justification. However, elements of their responses will be descriptive. They use language that has some precision. They will use evidence and reasoned argument, and will identify strengths and weaknesses.
Philosophy A2 summer preparations There is some research that you will enjoy and that will support you in developing your application and analysis of philosophical theory in A2. Please create case study Presentations and hand-outs on at least three of the following areas; you will be sharing your research in the first few lessons in year 13. 1) Symbolism to understand God 2) Religious experiences 3) Modern Miracles 4) The problem of evil 5) Near death experiences 6) The Soul 7) Reincarnation Have fun!! Mrs McCanny
Philosophy AS summer preparations Please read Sophie s world Jostein Gaarder http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/sophie/study.html 1) Complete the quiz 2) Complete the following questions. a) Who is the hero of Sophie s World? Defend your selection against at least two other possible characters. b) Which of the philosophical questions raised in the book is the most compelling? What makes it more interesting or crucial than the others? c) What is the role of Mrs. Amundsen in Sophie s World? d) Take any of the philosophers from the book and describe how their philosophy is personally relevant.