Ethics

This SDG will introduce the main areas and theories of ethics, including life and death, freedom and responsibility, false consciousness, God, evolution, happiness, relative vs universal ethics, and human rights. The core text is Ethics by Simon Blackburn, formerly Professor of Philosophy at Cambridge. The second edition was published in 2021. There are 20 short chapters which we will group together over the first 10 weeks of term, with each member preparing one or two topics. The last two weeks will consider specific issues in depth which have arisen during the first ten weeks. We will meet in person at Gayley for lively discussion about some of the biggest questions in life. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required - just openness and an interest in working with ethical theories and issues.