Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Essay Competition 2013

First prize: a new iPad
Four Runners-up receive a £20 Amazon voucher

The Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (RPE) course at the University of Gloucestershire is launching this new RPE Essay Prize.

The competition is open to all those currently studying for any AS or A2-level examinations (or equivalent) in the UK.


Entries must be no longer than 1500 words including footnotes but excluding references and can take any form e.g. essay, dialogue, etc. All sources must be referenced. The deadline for the 1500 word essay is 5pm on 31st October 2013 and will be judged by RPE lecturers. The winner will be announced on the RPE Blog on 1st December 2013 To enter please choose one of the titles below and email your entry to dwebster@glos.ac.uk  (please note you may only submit one entry to the competition). Entries must be written in as a Microsoft Word document. Entries will normally be acknowledged within 5 days. In your email, please put your name, the Sixth Form / FE college you attend, and the title you have chosen to answer. The subject of your email should be 'essay competition'. The University of Gloucestershire reserve the right to publish entries but entrants will retain copyright over their work. We intend to publish the winning essay on the RPE Course Blog at www.r-p-e.blogspot.com

Choose one of the following titles:
Title 1: Does religion still have any relevance in the twenty-first century?
Title 2: What would you say to someone who declares we cannot know anything for certain? Can this be disproved?
Title 3: Are there any ethical rules for which there are no exceptions and, if so, why? If not, why not?

Laboratory grown meat

The world's first lab-grown burger is to be unveiled and eaten at a news conference in London on Monday.

Scientists took cells from a cow and, at an institute in the Netherlands, turned them into strips of muscle which they combined to make a patty. Researchers say the technology could be a sustainable way of meeting what they say is a growing demand for meat. Critics say that eating less meat would be an easier way to tackle predicted food shortages. BBC News has been granted exclusive access to the laboratory where the meat was grown in a project costing £215,000. Prof Mark Post of Maastricht University, the scientist behind the burger, said: "Later today we are going to present the world's first hamburger made in a lab from cells. We are doing that because livestock production is not good for the environment, it is not going to meet demand for the world and it is not good for animals". But Prof Tara Garnett, head of the Food Policy Research Network at Oxford University, said decision-makers needed to look beyond technological solutions. "We have a situation where 1.4 billion people in the world are overweight and obese, and at the same time one billion people worldwide go to bed hungry," she said. "That's just weird and unacceptable. The solutions don't just lie with producing more food but changing the systems of supply and access and affordability so not just more food but better food gets to the people who need it." Comparing the environmental impact of conventional and laboratory beef production An independent study found that lab grown beef uses 45% less energy than the average global representative figure for farming cattle. It also produces 96% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requires 99% less land. The scientists have tried to make the meat - which is initially white in colour - as authentic as possible. Helen Breewood, who is working with Prof Post, makes the lab-grown muscle look red by adding the naturally occurring compound myoglobin. Currently, this is a work in progress. The burger to be revealed on Monday will be coloured red with beetroot juice. The researchers have also added breadcrumbs, caramel and saffron, which will add add to the taste. At the moment, scientists can only make small pieces of meat; larger ones would require artificial circulatory systems to distribute nutrients and oxygen. Prof Post said initial sampling suggests the burger will not taste great, but he expected it to be "good enough". Animal suffering Ms Breewood is a vegetarian because she believes meat production to be waste of resources, but says she would eat lab-grown meat. Burger The aim is to make the lab-grown burger look and taste like the real thing. But it isn't there yet. "A lot of people consider lab-grown meat repulsive at first. But if they consider what goes into producing normal meat in a slaughter house I think they would also find that repulsive," she said. In a statement, animal welfare campaigners People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) said: "[Lab-grown meat] will spell the end of lorries full of cows and chickens, abattoirs and factory farming. It will reduce carbon emissions, conserve water and make the food supply safer." But food writer Sybil Kapoor said she felt "uneasy": "The further you go from a normal, natural diet the more potential risks people can run in terms of health and other issues," she said. The latest United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization report on the future of agriculture indicates that most of the predicted growth in demand for meat from China and Brazil has already happened and many Indians are wedded to their largely vegetarian diets for cultural and culinary reasons. So lab grown meat might turn out to be a technological solution in search of a problem.

Philosopher Hired by Italian Town

Check out this article on how a town in Italy has controversially appointeded a philosopher to offer consultations and engage in philosophical discussions.

Join the debate: Evolution

Dear Liam

Are we right about evolution? In some College classes evolution is taught as scientific fact. But in other classes (e.g. Religious Studies and General Studies) students sometimes tell us that their religious beliefs mean they can’t accept the theory of evolution – and in those classes, we generally affirm everyone’s right to their own belief. Are we contradicting ourselves? What happens when the students who’ve studied evolution move into a General Studies class – will they feel they’re getting a consistent message? What happens when students with a religious objection to evolution have to study it? Can we do this any better than we currently do?

Janet


Dear Janet

There are a lot of interesting issues here. But let’s hold on a minute: first of all I hope you’re not implying we’re wrong about evolution: are you?? I’d have a pretty firm answer to that!

Liam


Dear Liam

I thought that might get your attention!!
Personally, no, I don’t think we’re wrong about evolution. And, as someone who has to teach religious responses to evolution, it’s really important to me to make it clear that the vast majority of religious people accept the theory of evolution, and don’t see it as contradicting their faith.
But I don’t think that closes the discussion: it still worries me that we haven’t worked out a really wise approach to this sort of issue.

Janet


Dear Janet

We should certainly allow everyone to have their own religious belief, and to discuss issues around faith in appropriate subjects. However, faith, by definition, lies outside of the scientific realm, and as such is not relevant in the Science classroom. Intelligent design, for example, is not a scientific theory, and schools in the US are breaking the law if it is taught as Science.

As far as evolution goes, there is a very significant amount of evidence that evolution happens. We should not be misled by the frequently raised argument that evolution is ‘just a theory’, as this word has very different meanings in a scientific context and general vocabulary.

I would hope that students who have a religious belief could accept the teaching of evolution in a scientific framework; and I think that these are not mutually incompatible. It is particularly important that students don’t see conflict between religion and evolution without studying the subject with an open mind.

Liam


Dear Liam

Well, there speaks the Head of Science! But honestly, I’m not convinced that’s good enough.
First, I think there are lots of reasons why people would object to your argument that ‘faith, by definition, lies outside of the scientific realm.’ It is convenient to say this – but it’s not necessarily true. For people of faith, faith is all-embracing: it can include diet, dress, activities, beliefs, and attitudes to absolutely everything. It’s holistic, and will affect attitudes to science – both for religious believers who accept evolution, and for those who don’t.
Second, although I don’t hold to Intelligent Design, I think those who do would see it as a scientific theory: so, who gets to define what is scientific? Couldn’t we find several examples of ideas that were once written off as non-scientific, which are now accepted?
Which leads to my last point: are you and I, believers in evolution, complacent? We want our opponents to have ‘an open mind’ and yet we seem to have a pretty closed mind about their views.

Janet


Dear Janet,

I don’t argue that faith isn’t all embracing for those who have it. I accept this completely, and that in itself can be a wonderful thing.

However, we have a very specific and functional definition of what Science is, and it involves making a hypothesis that can be repeatedly tested by experiment. I would still argue that religion does not fit this definition.

When it comes to ‘who gets to define what is scientific’, there are instances when it has been decided by judge and jury. And on the most recent occasion, it was ruled that Intelligent Design is not Science, and as such could not be lawfully taught in US schools. Science, like any subject has to have boundaries, and the definition is clear. With a clear definition it is also very clear what is and is not Science. Furthermore, Science is a method, not an idea; it can test ideas if the idea provides a hypothesis that can be verified or otherwise. Religion does not do this.

I would, nevertheless like to reinforce that this does not mean that in general scientists do not accept faith as a valid characteristic. Some scientists do, some don’t. Some scientists are also extremely religious. Some are complacent about faith, some definitely not. I personally think all of us, religious or not, should be more tolerant, and have a more open mind about ways of looking at the world.

Liam


What do you think?

[Cirencester College students can also join this debate on CCO on Monday as part of Multifaith week]

Euthanasia group EXIT visit UK

In November EXIT International founder Dr Nitschke will visit the UK to give a seminar on ending life for the terminally ill.
This is a controversial visit and not one considered wise even by other pro-euthanasia groups such as Dignity in Dying.

Read more about the visit and its founder here.

What do you think;
Is the visit wise?
Do you agree with the the speakers motives?
What concerns do you have?
How does EXIT differ from other organisations promoting euthanasia?

Win IVF treatment in new lottery

A new lottery starts this month....the prize is IVF treatment for those people struggling to conceive a child.

Tickets will be £20 and there will be a winner each month who will recieve upto £25,000 worth of fertility treatment to suit their specific needs.
Sky News have reported that there will be no restrictions on who can have the treatment - it is open to tradional couples, gay cuoples, individuals and any age.

• What do you think about this new lottery? Keep in mind the huge emotional and financial demands on people trying to have a baby when it doesn't happen naturally.


• Is this the sort of thing that should be a lottery? Do we want more restrictions on who receives it?


• Is the current system through the NHS any fairer, when your opportunity for IVF depends on the area you live in and whether you can afford it?

2011 Cheltenham Science Festival

Tues 7th June - Sun 12th June

There are lots of great talks at this years festival (it's 10th anniversary.) Don't dismiss the Science Festival as 'just for scientists,' there are many talks that are directly relevant to students of philosophy, ethics and religion, including;

• The Matrix: Reality or fiction?


• Stem Cells


• The Ethics of Synthetic Biology


• Sci-Fi Engineering (FREE)


• X Men and Bionic Women


• Trangenic Animals


• Was the Universe Created?


• Saviour Siblings


• Vegetative State


• First Moments of Life


• Intelligence of a Living Cell

Check out the brochure for more details, the talks are usually 1 hour, based at Cheltenhams Town Hall and reasonably prices.

These talks are a great way to enrich and vary your studies.

FREE Philosophy / Ethics talks in Bristol

Organ Donation: the cost of not giving
A public debate
Thursday 17th March 6.30 - 8pm
Location - Watershed, 1 Canon's Road, Habourside, Bristol, BS1 5TX

Full details and how to book are here.


Philosophy Matters - Annual Royal Institute of Philosophy Event
Monday 21st March 6 - 7.30pm
Location - Great Hall, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road

Full details and how to book are here.

Sterilisation of drug addicts for cash

Drug addicts in the UK are being offered £200 to agree to be permanently sterilised and unable to ever have children.

Watch this BBC video

The controversial American charity - Project Prevention - was set up by Barbara Harris, from North Carolina, who adopted four children born of a crack addict mother.

"I got very angry about the damage that these drugs do to these children"

"I was angry at the mum, And then my anger turned a little bit to where why did we allow her to do that?"

"Typically I just say to my critics: 'If you believe these women should continue to take drugs and have children, then step up in line and adopt their babies.' It's that simple."

[The Independent 18/10/10]

What do you think?

• Do you agree, should we support a scheme aimed at stopping babies suffering by being born as addicts, to addict parents and most likely ending up in care?
• Or do you disagree, that such a scheme does not consider the addict or that they may 'get clean' and then not be able to have children. Does it manipulte people at their most vulnerable when they need help?
• Some have called Barbara Harris essentially 'Nazi' in her approach. Why is this and is it a fair comparison?

2010 Cheltenham Science Festival

A great event with excellent speakers on our doorstep Wed 9th - Sun 13th June 2010.

Have a look through the brochure at the talks available on a wide range of topics, particularly those touching on ethics and issues relevant to persons and the philosophy of mind.

A few relevant talks include;

Engineering Human Tissue - 9th June 12 - 1pm

Should Computers have Rights too? - 9th June 7 - 8pm

Computer Domination - 9th June 9 - 10pm

Breaking the GM Taboo - 11th June 4.30 - 5.30pm

Your Decadent Human Brain - 12th June 12 - 1pm

You do not have to study science to get a lot out of this event!

Personal Identity - Body or Mind?

In the film 'Avatar' (soon to be at cinemas) the plot involves a technology which allows human 'drivers' to have their consciousness linked remotely to an avatar, a remotely controlled biological body.

Trailer


A similar theme is explored in another of this years films, 'Surrogates' where 'People are living their lives remotely from the safety of their own homes via robotic surrogates -- sexy, physically perfect mechanical representations of themselves.'

Trailer




______________________________________________________________

1. How important is the body for our personal identity?
2. What is it of 'us' that is living through these avatars?
3. Is there any reason not to abandon our original bodies entirely and live through more appealing avatars if that were possible?
4. In a way this already happens through virtual online worlds such as Second Life and through the 'version' of yourself you present in online environments. How much does old fashioned bodily interaction matter when the mind can seemingly go much further?

Solipsism

What issues does the film 'The Matrix' raise about our sense of self and knowledge of the world around us?

YouTube Clips;

‘Philosophy and the Matrix – Descartes’ (1 min 42)
‘The Red Pill’ (7 mins 40)

How does Descartes go about doubting the senses and reasoning? What can we be certain of and why?

Resource: Philosophy Pages

What is Solipsism? Why is it particularly difficult to be sure that other people have minds?

Resource: IEP

‘How do I know I’m not alone?’

‘ME, MYSELF & I’
- what makes me ‘me’?
- Could I be ‘me’ all by myself? (i.e. without a language I share with others? Without relationships? Without belonging to a culture that shares beliefs and values?)

'Virtual Concerns'

Social networking sites, gaming, virtual environments..

Are they harmless fun...a great way of meeting people and keep in touch OR a security risk and a phenomena that undermines our social and educational development.

Tell us what you think?

You might also want to check out and comment on the views of Susan Greenfield and the recent comments by Barack Obama.

Review: Cheltenham Science Festival 2009

The Times Cheltenham Science Festival, which runs every June, has rapidly become one of the most significant science festivals, attracting a wide range of prominent speakers including Robert Winston, Jonathon Porritt, Susan Greenfield, Richard Dawkins, A. C. Grayling, Tony Robinson, Richard Hammond...

The following is a summary of some of the talks this year.

Susan Greenfield on The Individual - Baroness Greenfield raised her concerns about the impact of excessive time spent gaming and using social networking sites. As an expert on the physiology of the brain her concerns focus on how sensitive the brain is to its environment and how the wrong environment limits the development of the brain, affecting attention and the ability to properly socialise. Her new book, 'The Individual,' was motivated by her concern over the uncontrolled impact science and technology and the 2D computer world is having on our lives. She mentioned the increase in ADHA, less empathy in children, higher tolerance for violence. We have more leisure time than ever before, but are we using it in the most enriching ways? Are violent computer games diminishing our sense of consequence, value and meaning? Are we becoming merely passive recipients?

10 Zen Questions - After an out of body experience over 30 years ago Dr Susan Blackmore dedicated her career to parapsychology to find an explanation, concluding eventually that there was nothing out there and becoming an ardent sceptic. Blackmore says to us "Be conscious" and goes on to suggest how difficult it is to define consciousness and understand how the brain gives rise to subjective experiences, it is the 'hard problem' facing science and philosophy. This talk saw her bring in her personal experiences of zen meditation to understand consciousness and the self. Through science, philosophy and zen meditation Blackmore concludes that there is no separate conscious self, consciousness is an illusion, it is just the "brain doing its thing".

Check out her ideas in this video and her summary of Nagel's 'what is it like to be a bat' idea.

Alzheimer's - The current 400,000 UK sufferers of this form of dementia leading to memory loss, confusion, problems with speech and understanding is set to rise as our ageing population increases. We were presented first with a moving personal testimony from a woman who had cared for her husband suffering from Alzheimer's, then a psychiatrist talked about the developments in treatments and finally a sociologist who wanted the emphasis placed back on the personhood of sufferers. The latter has set up alternative theraputic approaches including a special guided tour in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The Future for Stem Cells - Stem cell research has only been around since the 1990's, most treatments take 15 years to develop and reach the public, so it is still early days for some of the possible benefits of this science. That said the panel introduced some exiting treatments that have been successful including treating various problems involving cartilage, such as the recent windpipe replacement and certain forms of blindness. The most difficult areas to tackle will be those that involve the brain e.g., alzheimers. There are two main types of stem cells 1) embryonic 2) tissue - the first is the most versatile, embryonic stem cells can become any part of the body whereas tissue stem cells can only become those parts local to it. Are there ethical issues related to the use of embryos in this research and treatment?

Making the Planet Better - The panel were made up of members of 'Foresight', a government body of experts that predict the impact of our activities, in this case environmental. Speakers focused on both land and sea with a disturbing array of images and facts about the damage already done and predicted. The destruction of ancient coral beds, the 'dead zone' in the Gulf of Mexico and how little time we have to act. The enviromental impacts were tied in with the need to feed an ever growing population and managing a global community that will face problems as a result of environmental change as well as population growth.

Climate Change - Whose Responsibility? - 'Our Government' was the conclusion. Everyone felt that our government had a moral and practical responsibility to lead the way having already made some positive steps (but must examine it's own approach to avoid sending mixed messages such as the expansion of Heathrow airport). Speakers talked about the need for a global view, offering support and education, taking the lead and recognising the narrow window of opportunity in which we have to act.

Pain - After an emotional account of a life lived dealing with chronic pain from a woman who now campaigns for the rights of people in pain, we heard about the exiting work being done by neuroscientist Irene Tracey at Oxford University. Tracey explained that pain is a subjective experience and can differ significantly between people. She gave the examples of a builder screaming in pain with a nail through his foot, when his boot was removed the nail was revealed to have gone between his toes and not through his foot! Vs examples of people voluntarily mutilating themselves and claiming they feel no pain. Pain experience is about a number of factors including not just the physical but the context, your attention, mood etc.. and current research seeks to manage pain by looking at these areas. The final speaker discussed the risks and merits of herbal therapies for pain relief including cannabis.

Digital Footprints - The Ethics - The issues and implications of the many databases we knowing and unknowing belong to. Discussed by philosopher A. C. Grayling who was particularly concerned with our loss of privacy and rights. Also a professor of computer science and the head of security (and ex FBI) for Microsoft offered examples of abuses of information and the degree to which we are exposed. Key issues included the use of surveillance and biometric data with references made to the scenarios presented in the film Minority Report. Grayling emphasised that the governments first duty should be on protecting our rights not on security.

Cheltenham Science Festival Wed 3rd - Sun 7th June

Based at Cheltenham Town Hall this is an event worth attending.

Not just for those studying science but for anyone with an inquiring mind who wants to know more about the world around them. The science festival covers a wide range of topics from 'hard science' to discussions on the ethical implications of scientific progress.

Find out what talks are on here.

The science festival is on during the exam period and could be a great way to break up and enrich your study. A few examples of talks are;

Wednesday

Susan Greenfield on The Individual

10 Zen Questions

Alzheimers

Heresy - Hero or Heretic?

Thursday

The Big Bang and Beyond

The Future for Stem Cells

Making the Planet Better

Darwins Sacred Cause

Beyond Animal Rsearch

Faith in Evolution

Heresy - When to listen to the heretics

Friday

Climate Change - Whose Responsibility

Synthetic Biology

Saturday

A Lifetime of Intelligence

The Incredible Human Journey

The Times Debate: Your Genetic Future

Pain

Sunday

Digital Footprints - The Ethics

Philosophy at the Movies

'The Matrix' is one of the most frequently used films when discussing films that explore philosophical themes.

In particular it questions the certainty we have about the world around us and draws from the ideas of Plato and Descartes...there is even a book about it!

Share your own suggestions for philosophical films and briefly explain why they are.

Consider the following themes;

• Epistemology (knowledge)
• Ethics
• Philosophy of Mind & Personal Identity
• Language
• Politics
• Theology
• Critical Thinking
• Determinism....

Useful website link;

Philosophical Films

'Darwin 200'

This year would be Darwins 200th birthday.

His ideas on evolution have had a huge effect on our understanding of the world, not just scientifically but also philosophically, with profound implications for religion and society.

Find out more by exploring the following links;

• The works of Darwin to read online



• Watch the Richard Dawkins programmes on Darwin; 'The Genius of Charles Darwin'



• The Natural History Museum celebrates Darwin's contributions

DNA database against human rights

Last week the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the storage of DNA and fingerprints (biodata) of innocent individuals in the UK was an infringement of human rights and “could not be regarded as necessary in a democratic society.” Such information breached a persons right to privacy.
Police have been ordered to destroy over 1.6 billion samples. The Government and police argue however that storing this information is a key weapon in fighting crime.

1. Would you feel that your right to privacy had been violated if your DNA information were stored for police reference?
2. Is the storage of this information reasonable if it helps the police do their job?
3. Should everyone have their DNA on a database to help with police investigations? What issues might this raise?
4. Is there an alternative solution?

In the news - Euthanasia: Debbie Purdy & Dan James

Purdy's Quest For Clarity
Debbie Purdy, 45, suffers from MS and plans to travel to Switzerland to end her life if her situation becomes unbearable. She has been seeking clarification from the courts on whether her husband will face prosecution if he helps her to do this.
Note;
'..since October 2002 up to 100 British citizens have travelled abroad for the purpose of lawfully obtaining an assisted suicide. But in no case had a prosecution resulted..' [www.timesonline.co.uk 30/10/08]

Her efforts have been unsuccessful, it was concluded that her '..human rights were not infringed by the current state of the law..' [www.timesonline.co.uk 30/10/08] Purdy plans to appeal but has also directed attention towards Parliament, stressing the need to reconsider the 1961 Suicide Act arguing for a change to the law on assisted suicide.

Debbie Purdy claims that she may have to end her life earlier than necessary (while she is still able to), in order to avoid putting her husband at risk of prosecution.
Click here for a clip from Sky news, a Times Online article and further links.

Dan James
23 year old Dan, from Worcester, played for Nuneaton Rugby Club where he became paralysed from the chest down following a training accident last year.
In September Dan travelled to a Swiss euthanasia clinic with his parents to receive assisted suicide. Police are currently investigating his death.

Dr Peter Saunders of the Care Not Killing Alliance fears a 'slippery slope' where assisted suicide has been granted initially for terminal conditions such as some cancers and motor neuron disease, then for chronic illness and now disabilities.
Click here for more on the case.

• Should politicians review the law on assisted suicide and legalise it?
• If it is legal in some countries, why not here?
• Should we have the right to manage our own deaths?
• Why do some people choose assisted suicide, whereas others do not?
• Debbie Purdy sufferers from a terminal illness, Dan James from a disablility. Do these different circumstances raise different issues about legalising assisted suicide?

Links;
Dignity in Dying
Care Not Killing