1. What are Ethics? ‘No small matter, but how should we live?’ (Plato ‘The Republic’) If a question includes the word ‘should’ then it may be an ethical one. Eg ‘Should I copy my friends homework?’ Ethical conclusions are considered valid if: 1) they are based on reason, 2) they are based on a well-established ethical framework and 3) they rest on a reasonable level of consensus arising from genuine debate.

2. There are many possible ethical frameworks* and philosophers debate which are the most appropriate – this is just one possible set of guiding principles – an ‘ethical toolkit’ This is based on the ‘Physics & Ethics Education Project’ website: www.peep.ac.uk This has many examples and more content – use it!www.peep.ac.uk *Some of you will have studied them in GCSE or A Level Religious Studies – use this knowledge!

3. Fundamental principles: Principle 1) Doing good - avoiding harm Do good It is important to do good to others. But deciding which is the right thing to do can sometimes be difficult as not everyone always agrees as to what is best. If research money for science is limited, funders have to decide which projects will be the most beneficial. Avoid harm This is the other side of the coin to ‘doing good’. It is generally accepted that we have a duty not to harm anyone. We should not harm others' physical or emotional health, their way of life or their livelihood. This also means that we should care for places that others use.

4. Principle 2) Equal access to resources Protecting the commons (that which belongs to us all) Some things belong to everyone. A list of these could include access to the Earth's resources and environment, or to knowledge, or to our own culture or language. This principle means making sure that anything shared with others, such as the global environment, remains undamaged. Future generations Everyone is entitled to equal treatment, including access to resources and services. How will actions today affect those not yet born? This principle means making sure resources are sustainable for future generations.

5. Principle 3) : Respect for individuals Respect for the autonomy of individuals Every person should have the right to think, decide and act freely and independently. This is called AUTONOMY. Others may help a person come to a decision, though they should not impose their own will. But how much individual choice can society allow before imposing restrictions such as minimum ages for smoking and drinking? Enhancing the quality of life In deciding a course of action, we should think of others and their quality of life. For example, simply saving lives in medical care is not the only consideration. How important is the right to privacy? How do we balance a right to keep our private lives private with others' need to keep a check on us? Should our emails and phone calls be monitored to screen for criminal activity? At what point does the right to privacy give way to the need to prevent the harm caused by crime?

6. Issues/Conflicts Precautionary principle If something appears to have a potential for harm then we should not wait until we are certain that it will cause harm before doing something about it. For example, if scientists are uncertain as to whether global warming is caused by carbon emissions, we should still take action to reduce CO 2 as the possible consequences of not doing so are so grave. Ends v means Do the results of an action justify the means used to obtain them? Sometimes people agree on what is a desirable outcome but disagree about how to get there. For example, compulsory daily exercise would improve peoples health, but the loss of autonomy is arguably too big a price for such a cause of action. Actions/inactions have consequences Inaction may cause more suffering than action. For example, it would be wrong not to call out a warning when you see a fast car approach your friend crossing the road. To do nothing can be as disastrous – and ethically inexcusable - as to do something wrong.

7. Discussion questions Do children have autonomy? What is more important – personal freedom or protecting the environment? (eg what if everyone was driving 4wd cars?) When we think about whther euthanasia should be legalised, what two principles are coming into conflict? Is there a way to resolve this conflict?