1. Law and morals Exploring the complex relationship between law and morality?

2. What / why / is / ought / right / wrong What is the difference between law and morality? To what extent are they connected? Is it possible to have laws that are immoral? Is it possible to have morals that are not reflected in law? Is the relationship between law and morality simple or complex?

3. Definitions - Law Q 1 – What is the definition of law? a rule, usually made by a government, that is used to order the way in which a society behaves:rulegovernmentordersocietybehaves There are laws against drinking in the street. (Cambridge dictionary)drinkingstreet

4. Definitions – Morality Q2 – What is the definition of morality? a set of personal or social standards for good or bad behaviour and character:personalsocialstandardsbadbehaviour character They argued for a new morality based on self-sacrifice and honesty.arguedbasedself-sacrificehonesty [ U ] the quality of being right, honest, or acceptable: [ U ]qualityrighthonestacceptable I have to question the morality of forcing poor people to pay for their medical treatment.questionforcingpoor peoplepaytheirmedicaltreatment

5. Examples of laws Modern Slavery Act 2015 – offence to forced labour or servitude https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqDXjNODJfQ Theft Act 1968 – Offence to steal Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 – no more death penalty Human Rights Act 1998 – Article 13 Freedom of thought and religion

6. Examples of morals It is wrong to force someone to do something against their will It is wrong to take something that does not belong to you It is wrong to kill a person with intent It is right for a person to practice their own faith and live their life according to religious values

7. It is not so simple….. You are low paid and took out a loan from a credit card company who charges 500% interest. You are struggling to pay it back and have to take on extra low paid work at £2 per hour You and your three children are starving so you take some bread from the supermarket You are a doctor and you know a person will die very slowly and painfully and you want to end their suffering by giving them an injection You are religious and the police are undertaking stop and searches as they suspect a terrorist attack. You are asked to take off an item of clothing (hijab)

8. Some interesting examples Q3 – Can you identify 2 acts that are morally right but legally wrong? 1 It is right to not allow a person to suffer a terrible terminal illness if you know they are going to die BUT it is legally wrong to kill them 2 Some believe it is right to take a life of a murderer BUT it is legally wrong in the UK to apply the death penalty

9. Q4 – Can you identify 2 acts that are morally wrong and legally right? 1 It is wrong to kill a person BUT legally it is ok in times of war 2 It is morally wrong to not pay your taxes to the government (evasion) BUT it is legally right to create an offshore company as a way of not paying tax (avoidance)

10. Illegal immigration / Asylum / rights? Sometimes the law bends or changes to reflect changing morals http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/36714334 Three-thousand children arrived in the UK alone last year. This is morally the right thing to do and the law reflects that Would the situation be different if it was an adult?adult https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyqKu0miUzE

11. What if you are religious and you also believe in the right to assisted dying? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJEaRmQMs28 Why is it that it is ok on some countries and not others? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWy6pKVendQ

12. What / why / is / ought / right / wrong What is the difference between law and morality? To what extent are they connected? Is it possible to have laws that are immoral? Is it possible to have morals that are not reflected in law? Is the relationship between law and morality simple or complex?

13. Most ridiculous British laws: what about the morals? 1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27%) 2. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside-down (7%) 3. Mince pies cannot be eaten on Christmas Day (5%) 4. In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter (4%)

14. 5. In the UK a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet (4%) 6. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the King, and the tail of the Queen (3.5%) 7. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour 8. In the city of York it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow (2%)