Dear Mr. Watson,
Philosophy and Ethics Course
I see from your web site that your new course claims to include Humanism, and this move has been widely welcomed. The PTT is a Humanist educational charity.
Looking at the draft specification on your web site, however, it seems doubtful that the OCR are clear about the nature of the Humanist ethical tradition.
The course is not described as a course on comparative religion, so I cannot understand why the questions vary little from those which do relate to religion. For example the question "Explain why some Humanists may fast"; or directions to discuss such matters as "Everyone should thank God for their food" and "Divorce is wrong". Where is specific consideration given to the Humanist core beliefs of freedom, happiness and virtue?
I wonder if the students will find it acceptable for the required answers to questions to have little connection to the actual questions as asked.
I ask therefore that you reconsider your approach to the study of Humanism and to consider how the subject is being approached in Scotland. Full information about Humanism can be found on the web site http://www.humanists.freeserve.co.uk/
I would add that I find it odd that a course on philosophy does not require students to have familiarity with the work of any named philosopher or specified text.
Please let me have your comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment
We welcome lively and challenging comments. However, please try to stay on topic, be polite and do not use abusive, racist or sexist language, and do not incite your readers to violence or other antisocial behaviour, or your comment will be deleted. This isn't censorship: it's a case of staying within the bounds of decency and having an eye to the law, although we realise the law will be different in different countries.
We do not bar anonymous comments at the moment, but we would prefer that those commenting play fair and use their name or at least a regular nom de plume. It does show a confidence in your convictions. We know, too, that it's easy to use a false name and be effectively anonymous, but, again, we appeal to your sense of good practice. Even a wacky nom de plume is better, since at least readers will come to know that contributor and maybe remember her or his previous comments.
Blatant commercial advertising will be removed.
Comments should not be construed as necessarily the policy or opinion of the Pink Triangle Trust.
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.