Department Representatives: Theology, Philosophy and Ethics

This year Teddies launched the Department Representatives Project as part of Pupil Voice and Action, to celebrate the work and activities of our many subject areas by nominating pupil representatives for each subject. Department representatives for Theology, Philosophy and Ethics tell us about how the subject is taught at Teddies in Shell and Sixth Form.

The department of Theology, Philosophy and Ethics studies issues that are extremely relevant to all aspects of life. Matters of religion, technology, medicine, and ethical and moral principles are taught and discussed across all year groups. These all encourage educated conversation about human rights, and equality, diversity and inclusion, both in and outside the classroom.     

Within the curriculum we study a range of philosophers, including both men and women where possible; although this can prove difficult when studying older philosophical ideas.  Simone de Beauvoir and Elizabeth Korsgaard are two examples of female philosophers incorporated into the curriculum. There are regular speakers brought into school, particularly for the Philosophy Society.

Izzie Brown, Lower Sixth Form Departmental Representative, writes:
This academic year, the Lower Sixth IB Philosophy pupils have been studying, for example, Descartes’ meditations, ethics, and the core theme.  In ethics we have studied Kantian ethics, Natural law, and virtue ethics, and their merits when put to use in society.  In core theme lessons we have focused on identity and discussed questions such as ‘Can robots have mental states?’  We have also considered the question ‘What actually is the mind?’ and learnt the views of many philosophers including John Locke and David Hume.  A Level Religious Studies pupils meanwhile have honed their critical analysis of key thinkers across Ethics, Theology and Philosophy of Religion through class debate and essays. Theology has included questions concerning the nature of humanity and the afterlife. In the past year there were also trips for Lower Sixth pupils to The Bodleian Library and Trinity College, as well as to a workshop at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum on the ethics of war.”

Camila Brothers, Shell Departmental Representative, writes:
In the Shell year we have been focusing on ethics and war, what makes us human, whether AI and animals can think and whether science is in conflict with religion.  One example which we have been studying is utilitarianism: it is a relative ethical system, meaning that morals are consequence based on the outcome of your decision and not the decision itself. Another example is the second categorical imperative, people should be treated as ends not means and how that applies to war. Overall, we have been learning about philosophical points of view and how they impact people’s everyday life.