Ethics
Years 12 and 13
Years 12 and 13
An introduction to the study of ethics, which includes many of the topics that we cover at A' Level. Vardy writes about academic arguments in an accessible and engaging way.
The great developers of Utilitarianism, Mill and Bentham wrote essays expounding their ethical ideas. Particularly useful if you are aiming for the highest grades.
This is relevant to the Year 13 topic of Sexual Ethics. It provides valuable insight into the changing views of sex and relationships through the last two millennia, and also considers issues such as pre-marital sex, homosexuality and infidelity.
Simon Blackburn tackles the major moral questions surrounding birth, death, happiness, desire and freedom, showing us how we should think about the meaning of life, and how we should mistrust the soundbite-sized absolutes that often dominate moral debates.
This small book covers a lot of ground, tracing the history of ethics and ethical issues, as well as the major systems of ethics and key thinkers. A good overview.
In December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor-in-chief of French 'Elle' and the father of twoyoung children, suffered a massive stroke and found himself paralysed and speechless, but entirely conscious, trapped by what doctors call 'locked-in syndrome'. Using his only functioning muscle - his left eyelid - he began dictating this remarkable story, painstakingly spelling it out letter by letter. His book offers a haunting, harrowing look inside the cruel prison of locked-in syndrome, but it is also a triumph of the human spirit. Interesting insight into the arguments surrounding euthanasia.
This covers so many key figures that we look at, and also some more obscure ones. Scroll through to find some that are of interest.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01f0vzr/episodes/downloads
This one particularly focuses on Kant's Categorical Imperative: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0952zl3
Business Ethics. A film, based on the true story of a flamboyant law firm secretary, who works tirelessly to gain justice for a small town wrecked by a utility company's pollution.
Michael, a teenager, falls in love with an older woman named Hanna. Their liaison ends when she suddenly vanishes. They meet after a decade when she goes on trial for being a Nazi guard during WWII. Should we always obey the law? Is it right to do your duty?
An excellent dystopian film that considers the ethical issues surrounding genetic engineering