To gain a clearer understanding of how the course is structured and what is expected

Topics Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of qualification There will be four themes within this component: Ethical thought; Deontological ethics; Teleological ethics; Determinism and free will.

Expectations Independent Study (1 hour at home for every hour at College) Wider Reading – discover your subject Organisation Seek advice, support and guidance Communicate Continue to revise the Philosophy of religion unit

A useful text… Ethical Studies (2nd Edition) Robert Bowie ISBN – 0748780793 Where to buy: Amazon £19.16 Ebay, from 99p

An additional useful read… The Puzzle of Ethics Peter Vardy ISBN – 0006281443 Where to buy: Amazon £5.12 Ebay, from 99p

Organisation A4 Ring binder Folder Dividers for each topic A4 Lined Paper Notebook

What is Ethics? Our ability to make a moral decision distinguishes humans from animals When faced with a dilemma, what do we do? Deliberate (think) and then feel the effects But what helps us to make that decision? What is right or wrong, good or bad? What does it mean to be a ‘good’ person? What do scholars think the answer is?

Elements of an ethical action What are the elements of an ethical action?

Key terms –match up and learn the definitions Absolutist Relativist Objective Subjective Consequentialist/teleological Deontological A statement based on personal opinion and often internal. There exists a standard of right and wrong that is binding for all humans A statement based on facts that are independent of a person’s view An action is judged without reference to consequences An action is judged based on the result or consequences There is no absolute right or wrong – but there are norms of behaviour 1- b 2 – f 3 – c 4 – a 5 – e 6 - d

Big Questions If I do a bad thing for a good reason, does it matter? Should I feel guilty if my action results in a bad outcome, even though my intention was good? Do the needs of many outweigh the needs of a few? Can anything be absolutely right or absolutely wrong in every situation? Is morality about following rules? Can you be moral and not religious? Can you be religious and immoral? Should I help my family before helping a stranger? Do we have the right to end life? Is killing an unborn human as immoral as killing a born human?

Pair up! Select one of the big questions and formulate an answer Be prepared to discuss your answer with the class in the following lesson REMEMBER – don’t worry about a right or wrong answer, simply explore possibilities. Task 1