Philosophy for A2: Ethics and Philosophy of Mind

393 Pages·2015·1.2 MB·English

by  Michael Lacewing

PHILOSOPHY FOR A2
Philosophy for A2 is an engaging textbook for the new AQA A2 Philosophy
syllabus. Structured closely around the AQA specifi cation this textbook
covers the two units, Ethics and Philosophy of Mind, in a comprehensive
and student-friendly way. All of the anthology texts are explained and
commented on and woven into the discussion of the syllabus. With
chapters on ‘How to Do Philosophy’ and exam preparation this textbook
provides students with the philosophical skills they need to succeed.
Each chapter includes:
● explanation and commentary of the AQA anthology texts
● comprehension questions to test understanding
● discussion questions to generate evaluative argument
● ‘going further’ sections for advanced study
● cross-references to help students make connections
● bullet-point summaries of each topic.
The companion website hosts a wealth of further resources, including
PowerPoint slides, fl ashcards, further reading, weblinks and handouts, all
structured to accompany the textbook. It can be found at www.routledge.
com/cw/alevelphilosophy.
Michael Lacewing is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Heythrop College,
University of London. He is the founder of the company A Level Philosophy
and a consultant on philosophy at A Level for the British Philosophical
Association.
Praise for this edition:
‘This excellent textbook covers an impressive range of material with
admirable clarity and concision. The structure of Lacewing’s exposition is
such as to secure the central points, and then to provide readers with
opportunities to “go further” – to venture more deeply and to explore
topics in more detail. Highly pertinent use is made of a wealth of
argumentation and illustration drawn from relevant anthologised textual
sources. In addition, there are helpful syllabus checklists, chapter
summaries, and well-chosen questions throughout. An invaluable guide.’
Dr Paul Dawson, Head of Philosophy at King Alfred’s School and Teacher
of Philosophy at University College School, UK
‘Philosophy for A2 has all the virtues that teachers and students have
come to expect from Lacewing. It is crystal clear, accurate and
authoritative. It is very diffi cult to fi nd a Philosophy textbook which is truly
accessible to sixth form students and equally acceptable to professional
philosophers. But this book is surely both. The hard-pressed teacher will
fi nd here a resource that he or she can completely trust and rely upon.
The student will fi nd a text which is written in a clear, intelligible and
engaging style. This is a model textbook and every school sixth form
should possess at least one class set.’
Geoff Willis, Senior Area Leader for Humanities, Literature and
Languages, City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, UK
‘Accessible for students at different levels and invaluable for teachers who
want to ensure they cover all the relevant material for the new syllabus.
Clear summaries of the main arguments and concise explanations of key
extracts from the anthology make this textbook an essential resource for
anyone taking the new A2 AQA Philosophy qualifi cation.’
Agnes Orosz, A Level Philosophy Teacher, UCL Academy, UK
PHILOSOPHY FOR A2
Ethics and Philosophy of Mind
Michael Lacewing
First published 2015
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2015 Michael Lacewing
The right of Michael Lacewing to be identifi ed as the author of this work has been
asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in
any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identifi cation and explanation without intent to
infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Lacewing, Michael, 1971–
Philosophy for A2 : ethics and philosophy of mind / by Michael Lacewing.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Philosophy--Textbooks. I. Title.
BD21.L177 2015
107.6--dc23
2014043527
ISBN: 978-1-138-83787-4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-73483-5 (ebk)
Typeset in Mixage
by Saxon Graphics Ltd, Derby
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements xix
Introduction 1
How to use this book 2
How to do philosophy 2
Following the syllabus 2
Additional features 3
Using the anthology 3
Glossary 4
Companion website and further resources 5
1 How to do philosophy 7
Philosophical argument 7
Deductive argument 8
Inductive argument 8
Understanding arguments 10
Evaluating arguments 11
Evaluating claims 12
An aside: why reason? 13
Fallacies 13
Reading philosophy 14
Approaching the text 14
Engaging with the text 15
Beyond the text 16
Writing philosophy 16
What you need to know 16
Planning an essay 18
vi Contents
Writing an essay 19
A standard essay structure 21
General advice 21
2 Ethics 23
I. Ethical theories: how do we decide what it is
morally right to do? 26
A. Utilitarianism 26
Anthology: Bentham, An Introduction to the Principles of
Morals and Legislation, Chs. 1, 4 27
Ch. 1 ‘The Principle of Utility’ 27
Ch. 4 How happiness may be calculated 28
Anthology: Mill, Utilitarianism, Chs. 1, 2 29
What is happiness? 32
Preference utilitarianism 35
Anthology: Mill, Utilitarianism, Ch. 4 36
Going further: Mill’s ‘proof’ of utilitarianism 36
Issues for (act) utilitarianism 41
Problems with calculation 41
Individual liberty and rights 42
Anthology: Mill, Utilitarianism, Ch. 5 43
The value of motives and character 45
Anthology: Mill, Utilitarianism, Ch. 3 47
Going further: Mill on conscience 47
The moral status of particular relationships 48
Rule utilitarianism 50
Objections 52
Key points: utilitarianism 53
B. Kantian deontological ethics 55
Deontology 55
Going further: actions and intentions 56
Contents vii
Anthology: Kant, Foundations of the Metaphysics of
Morals, Ch. 1 57
The good will 57
Duty 58
Anthology: Kant, Foundations of the Metaphysics of
Morals, Ch. 2; Rachels, The Elements of Moral
Philosophy, Ch. 9.1 60
Hypothetical and categorical imperatives 60
The two tests 61
Morality and reason 62
The second formulation of the Categorical Imperative 63
Anthology: Kant, Foundations of the Metaphysics of
Morals, Ch. 2 (cont.); Rachels, The Elements of
Moral Philosophy, Ch. 10.1 63
Issues for Kantian ethics 65
Problems with the application of the principle 65
The intuition that consequences of actions determine
their moral value 66
The value of certain motives and commitments 66
Confl icts between duties 68
Anthology: Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy,
Ch. 9.3 68
Key points: Kantian deontological ethics 69
C. Aristotle’s virtue ethics 70
Anthology: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Bk 1 71
The good 71
Eudaimonia 72
Final ends 73
The function argument 74
Testing the analysis 76
Going further: the rational ‘soul’ 77
Anthology: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Bk 2 79
Traits of character 79
viii Contents
Virtues and the doctrine of the mean 80
Virtues and vices 82
Acquiring virtues and being virtuous 83
Anthology: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics,
Bks 3.6–12, 7.1–10 85
Going further: Aristotle on courage and
temperance 85
Going further: virtue – past and present 89
Anthology: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Bk 3.1–5 90
Voluntary and involuntary actions 90
Choice and deliberation 93
Going further: moral responsibility 94
Key points: Aristotle’s virtue ethics (I) 97
Anthology: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Bk 6 99
Practical wisdom 99
What practical wisdom involves 99
The relation between practical wisdom and
virtue 101
Anthology: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Bk 5 102
Going further: Aristotle on justice 102
Anthology: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics,
Bks 7.12–13, 10.1–5 106
Is pleasure good? 106
Going further: pleasure, virtue and function 108
Anthology: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics,
Bks 10.6–8 109
Eudaimonia and philosophy 109
Issues for Aristotle’s virtue ethics 111
Guidance on how to act 112
Confl icts between virtues 113
The possibility of circularity involved in defi ning
virtuous acts and virtuous people in terms of each
other 114
Contents ix
Key points: Aristotle’s virtue ethics (II) 115
D. Applications 117
Crime and punishment 117
Utilitarianism 117
Retribution and justice 119
Anthology: Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy,
Ch. 10.3 120
War 121
Resorting to war 122
Justice in war 123
Justice at the end of war 123
Is war ever justifi ed? 124
The treatment of animals 125
Utilitarianism 125
Kant and deontology 126
Aristotle and virtue ethics 127
Simulated killing 128
Playing the killer 129
An audience’s perspective 133
Deception and the telling of lies 134
Utilitarianism 134
Kantian deontology 135
Anthology: Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy,
Ch. 9.2 135
Aristotle’s virtue ethics 137
Key points: applications 138
Practical ethics in exam answers 141
Summary: ethical theories 142
II. Ethical language: what is the status of ethical
language? 143
A. Introducing metaethics 143
What is metaethics? 143
Cognitivism and non-cognitivism 144
Mental states and ‘direction of fi t’ 145