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Ethics in an Age of Science

N.B. This conference was previously named Science, Freedom and Responsibility

 

You believe that you are special. That, somehow the rules do not apply to you. Obviously you are mistaken.

The Matrix

 

This conference aims to:

  • Explore the philosophical and religious issues raised by science - introducing the complex question of human consciousness and then focussing down particularly on the more manageable sub-questions of freewill and responsibility.

  • Explore the worldviews of Naturalism (sometimes called Scientific Materialism) and Theism (mainly Christian theism but also taking account of other theistic religions) and how these lead to different approaches to science, human consciousness, freewill and responsibility.

  • Use interactive philosophical games and film clips to consider the extent to which freewill and responsibility can be logically consistent with Naturalism and Theism - exploring in particular the concepts of libertarian freewill, neurogenetic determinism and compatibilism

  • Use the case study of Stephen Mobley (and the associated research into the relationship between aggression and the enzyme Monoamine Oxidase) to enable students to reflect upon the implications of their conclusions,

'This conference takes an educated and accessible approach that helps students to understand some of the ethical issues that are raised by current scientific research. It helps students to develop some of the philosophical skills that affect the way that we do science and how it is applied.' 
Professor K. R. Fox.  Professor of Biochemistry, University of Southampton.

Rough timings for this conference

  1. Plenary session (teaching using videos, games and thought experiments) - minimum 1 hour 30 mins, max 2 hours (presenters can tailor it to fit school-day timing and attention span of students)
  2. Small groups (ideally working around tables) - minimum 30 mins, max 1 hour.  N.B. During this time there will be several points in which more information and a worked example are given to the students - so ideally the students should be sat at tables in one room where they can see the screen and be addressed by the presenter, however if that isn't possible the presenter can move around the rooms where the students are located
  3. Plenary session (students making their presentations to the whole group) - minimum 30 mins, max 1 hour. 
N.B. At all times there must be teachers present in the rooms (including each of the multiple rooms for small groups if these are used) to keep the students on task and answer any procedural queries.

To find out prices and terms click here

To book this conference contact us

To find out about other conferences click here

To download the worksheet and evaluation questionnaire for this conference click here

 

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