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Practical Ethics Bites

Practical Ethics Bites is a series of audio podcasts on practical ethics targeted specifically at pupils studying philosophy in UK schools. It is produced by the team behind the popular podcast Philosophy Bites, David Edmonds and Nigel Warburton. Philosophy Bites has had over 21 million downloads. David Edmonds is a Senior Research Associate at Oxford’s Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics and all the interviewees are academics linked to the Uehiro Centre. The series aims to be a free educational resource for teachers. Each interview is around 20 minutes long.

# Episode Title Description People Date
9 Creative Commons Can you choose to be gay? Brian Earp discusses the ethics of sexual orientation. Brian Earp, Nigel Warburton, David Edmonds 14 Jul 2015
8 The ethics of sexuality Professor Janet Radcliffe Richards argues that homosexuality is natural, and that what is natural can be neither good nor bad. Janet Radcliffe Richards, Nigel Warburton, David Edmonds 04 Nov 2014
7 Should we allow genetic engineering on embryos? Does a human embryo have moral status? Tom Douglas explores the ethical issues surrounding genetic research on developing embryos. Tom Douglas, Nigel Warburton, David Edmonds 28 Oct 2014
6 Is there such a thing as a just war? Is an ethical war a paradoxical notion? If violence is almost always unacceptable, how can we justify acts of war? Jeff McMahan, Nigel Warburton, David Edmonds 21 Oct 2014
5 The rights and wrongs of abortion Rebecca Roache discusses the conflicting rights and interests of both foetus and mother. Rebecca Roache, Nigel Warburton, David Edmonds 14 Oct 2014
4 Creative Commons Choosing the sex of your child Is sex-selection harmful or injust? Julian Savulescu outlines four methods used in sex-selection and explores the ethical issues surrounding each. Julian Savulescu, Nigel Warburton, David Edmonds 06 Oct 2014
3 Creative Commons Free will, and its connection to moral responsibility Professor Neil Levy explores the link between free will and responsibility. What makes us blameworthy for our actions? Neil Levy, Nigel Warburton, David Edmonds 29 Sep 2014
2 Creative Commons Should euthanasia be legal? Dr Dominic Wilkinson, Director of Medical Ethics at the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, explores the ethical issues surrounding euthanasia and asks whether it should be made legal. Dominic Wilkinson, Nigel Warburton, David Edmonds 22 Jul 2014
1 Creative Commons What is virtue ethics? In this episode, Professor Roger Crisp introduces the strand of ethical theory known as 'virtue ethics'. Roger Crisp, Nigel Warburton, David Edmonds 22 Sep 2014