What Now?

In order to set about writing this you have to start thinking about what exactly the examiner is looking for. This is not the sort of thing you can think about in one evening - treat this like a journey of discovery - very much like your coursework - the ideas you start of with at the beginning are not going to be the ones you have at the end!

Below is a summary of what you might want to include in your research. After this has been written it is up to you to refine and cut down the material into what you perceive to be required by the examination board.

1. Establish what is meant by a philosophical principle – this will involve some discussion as to the history of philosophy and establishment of principles (AT1) to a series of bullet points setting out the parameters of the essay that you will be using. There are a lot of good books in the library that you can use for this - however you have to be adventurous in your research. Remember that you have to break these principles down into manageable sentences so that you can apply them to your ethical theories. I suggest that you use ED Harris' book "Applying Moral theories" which has a clear set of principles that should be used against the theories.

2. Introduction to Utilitarianism as one of the theories that you are going to look at – make sure that it is a brief but concise description of Utilitarianism situated in its cultural, historical, social and religious background – Golden Rule – end with summation of Utilitarianism (AT1).

3. Philosophical principles of Utilitarianism – compare bullet points established in 1. to theory explained in 2. Summation – is it a sound philosophical theory?

4. Introduction of Categorical Imperative as the next ethical theory you wish to look at - again a brief but concise piece on the cultural, historical, social and religious setting of C.I.

5. Philosophical principles of Categorical Imperative - compare the bullet points in 1. to the theory in 4. Summation - is it a sound theory?

6. According to Harris the only real judgment of a theory is if it can be applied – (is this philosophical?) – the situations you are going to apply Utilitarianism and CI to are punishment and war.

7. Punishment – what form does it take, what purpose does it serve – set into religious, cultural, historical and social background. Remember that this is supposed to be a moral dilemma so formulate it into one.

6. How does Utilitarianism relate to punishment – remember forms and purpose of punishment?

7. How does CI apply to punishment - remember to focus on the forms and purpose of punishment.

8. What is war? What is meant by a war being "just"? Remember to set war into its historical and cultural setting as well as religious.

9. How does Utilitarianism distinguish between Jus in Bello and Jus as Bellum.

10. How does CI view war - distinguish between Jus in Bello and Jus as Bellum.

11.. Which philosophical principles of Utilitarianism and CI are best served by application to punishment and Just War – where do they fail or where are they strong? Indicate that you are supposed to be putting this into the broader context – identify where is it an issue today – collect information on the punishment of the terrorists connected to 9/11 attacks and the US bombing of Afghanistan. Imagine that you are George Bush and his cabinet having to make a decision as to what course of action you should take after September 11th. What would Utilitarianism say? What would the CI say? Do either theories provide a realistic and absolute course of action that would be satisfactory to the people in the US and the world? – this is the ultimate test of a theory – is it the ultimate philosophical principle?

Inevitably the answer to above is "no" - this is where AT 2 comes in..... if they do not provide man with any indication of a definite way of acting then are they of any use? Return to your philosophical principles at the beginning of the essay - if life is unpredictable then there are no definite answers - philosophy is about life - it is inductive - therefore the two principles act as "guides" and "indicators" of what we perhaps OUGHT to do - this is the sign of strong philosophy.