philosophy and ethics

notes head

Although most of these notes were produced for students taking papers in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics at A level, I hope they will also be of general interest for all those exploring these subjects.

Please keep in mind that some of them are based on lectures given a few years ago. Although the basic information and arguments remain valid, make sure you check more recent material as well. I shall be up-dating these notes from time to time, so do check back.

You may freely copy my notes for your personal use only.

If you have any questions or comments, please email me by clicking here.

 

... fast down to Ethics

religion

The Logic of Divine Impotence

If there is one single thing that inclines me to atheism, it is the logic of divine impotence and the wriggles that some theists use to avoid it. Read more.

(This short article, taken from the draft of my new book about God, is also relevant to those studying 'miracles' and 'the problem of evil')


The Ontological Argument

This page on the Ontological Argument includes some material taken from my book Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics supplemented with further comments and reflections. 

Faith and Reason (background to Anselm)

Notes on Faith and Reason, serve as background to Anselm's Ontological Argument, pointing out distinctions in the relevant Latin terms in 'faith seeking unerstanding' and 'I believe in order to understand.'

The Design Argument

I have revised and posted sets of notes on The Argument from Design, based on the relevant sections in my Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics. These are supplemented by the notes on the Anthropic Principle and Argument.

The Cosmological Argument

The Cosmological Arguments gives a basic outline of Kalam Argument and the Cosmological Arguments from Aquinas. But students doing this topic should also see also the chapter on 'The Origins of the Universe' in Religion and Science.

The Anthropic Principle

big bangHere is a short outline of the Anthropic Principle and Argument, for students looking at the Argument from Design, or issues in Religion and Science.

Religious Language

Language explores issues arising from Wittgenstein's Tractatus, Logical Positivism, Verification and 'Language Games' , both generally and in relation to religious language, with brief notes on 'experiencing as', 'believing in', analogy, myth and symbolism. (This page conflates my earlier notes on religious language.)

Religious Experience

Religious Experience   What is it? Is it a natural phenomenon? What kinds of experience are called 'religious'? Is it what is experienced, or how it is experiences that makes it religious? 

Religion and Philosophy

mountainsIs the Philosophy of Religion a mistake? Can the Philosophy of Religion really get to grips with what religion is about? But what does that have to do with a photo of mountains, or Wittgenstein's suggestion? Take a look.

Miracles, God and the World

Miracles - a key topic for religion and what the idea of 'God' implies for our understanding of the world. It relates to many other topics in the interface between science and religion.

The Problem of Evil

The Problem of Evil - These notes have been revised, with clear section headings and an outline of the Irenaean and Augustinian approaches, along with the Free Will Defence, a brief look at the impact of this problem on ideas of God and a note on the distinction here between philosophy and theology.

 ethics

Kantian Ethics

Kant's ethical theory outlines his 3 forms of the Categorical Imperative, and provides a context for them in terms of his 'Copernican Revolution' and the postulates of the pure practical reason.

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism offers a basic set of outline notes, including Bentham, Mill, Preference Utilitariaism and an assessment of some of its problems and advantages as an ethical theory.

Natural Law Ethics

Natural Law Ethics   These notes give the background to the Natural Law approach to ethics, along with my comments and a rant about economics and the need for a natural law approach to ideas about society.

I have added an article, originally published in 'Dialogue', entitled 'Can Natural Law escape Aquinas?' to augment the notes on Natural Law for keen students and the general reader. To read it, click here.

Meta-ethics

Meta-ethics:  these notes offer a broad introduction to Meta Ethical theories, including emotivism and prescriptivism. They draw on material from An Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics.

The use of thought experiments in ethics

Thought experiments are increasingly being used in ethical arguments, but students should be aware of their limitations. Richard Baron has produced a really useful paper on this, to see it click here.


Thinking about Examinations?

For some generic advice on revising for examinations and how best to use your time on the day, click here.



For a bit of light relief, but with plenty of ideas to get you thinking, take a look at...

beach


wiphi

 

 

 

 

This open access philosophy website is a very good online resource for those coming new to philosophy, and for students from GCSE upwards, particularly (in videos already produced) for those taking Philosophy of Religion papers.

Take a look at the website at www.wi-phi.com .


Doing Philosophy of Religion for A Level? If so, here's a really useful magazine...

Dialogue cover

 

 

 

 

Click the cover to go to the Dialogue website.... 


Three of my Hodder textbooks, written for those taking papers at A-level in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, are now available as cheap paperbacks and e-books.

Ethical theory Intro

religion and science


Basic texts on Philosophy and Ethics:

For the general reader, as well as students at A level and preparing for undergraduate courses....

Philosophy for Life

The above link is to the latest edition of my introduction to Philosophy. There are plenty of used copies of the earlier (Understand Philosophy) one available, just click the following cover...

philosophy ethics

phil of rel