A Romp Through Ethics for Complete Beginners

Oxford University

In this introduction to ethics, we shall be considering the underpinnings of ethical thought. We shall consider, for example, what it is for an action to be right or wrong, whether we can have moral knowledge and whether freewill is essential to morality. We shall reflect on four key ethical theories (virtue ethics, deontology, non-cognitivism and utilitarianism), looking at both their strengths and their weaknesses. We shall be looking at morality in the context of the individual and the context of society.

Episodes

Part 7 of 7 in Marianne Talbot's "A Romp Through Ethics for Complete Beginners". This final episode is a time to take stock and bring together all the strands we've considered.

Aug 8, 2011

1 hr 21 min

Utilitarianism: Mill and the utility calculus

Part 6 of 7 in Marianne Talbot's "A Romp Through Ethics for Complete Beginners". A reflection on Mill's account of morality, and the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

Jun 27, 2011

1 hr 30 min

Deontology: Kant, duty and the moral law

Part 5 of 7 in Marianne Talbot's "A Romp Through Ethics for Complete Beginners". In this episode we reflect on Kant's account of morality, including the categorical imperative.

Jun 3, 2011

1 hr 28 min

Humean Ethics: Non-Cognitivism, the passions and moral motivation

Part 4 of 7 in Marianne Talbot's "A Romp Through Ethics for Complete Beginners". In this episode we reflect on Hume's account of morality and his rejection of reason as the source of morality.

Jun 2, 2011

1 hr 27 min

Virtue Ethics: virtue, values and character

Part 3 of 7 in Marianne Talbot's "A Romp Through Ethics for Complete Beginners". In this episode we will reflect on Aristotle's account of morality and the centrality of the virtues in this account.

May 24, 2011

1 hr 22 min

Freedom, knowledge and society: the preconditions of ethical reasoning

Part 2 of 7 in Marianne Talbot's "A Romp Through Ethics for Complete Beginners". In this episode we examine the preconditions of ethical reasoning and make a comparison between the law of the land and the moral law.

May 20, 2011

1 hr 18 min

Rules, truths and theories: an introduction to ethical reasoning

Part 1 of 7 in Marianne Talbot's "A Romp Through Ethics for Complete Beginners". In this episode we examine moral dilemmas, moral truth and moral knowledge, freewill and determinism.

May 19, 2011

1 hr 33 min