Exploring Moral Dilemmas —
in English!
A Discussion Club by Sven Gerst
Nov 18 — Dec 13 | Thu, Mon | 19:00–21:00
Start Date
November 18 2021
Format
1 Onboarding Session,
6 Content Sessions, Online
Price
5 500 RUB
We would all prefer to be good people, live an ethical and virtuous life, make sound choices, be kind to others and protect the weak. The problem is that we all see what is good differently.
When faced with moral dilemmas, where there is no obvious right and wrong, we yearn for a simple solution, but only find more and more questions.
That’s bad news for humankind but good news for a discussion club! In a series of interactive online sessions, we will jointly dive into the hottest topics in applied ethics and discuss our viewpoints openly.
And by discussion, we really mean discussion. Our present is imperfect, so are our language skills — that’s why this club is designed not only to provide a safe space for arguing about some of the most important philosophical questions out there, but also to practice one’s English language skills while doing so.
Your Tutor
Sven Gerst
Philosopher, PhD Student, Department of Political Economy, King’s College London. Sven also holds a M.Sc. in Philosophy from the London School of Economics and Political Science
“Each session in this club will follow a structure of an impulse presentation, where you will acquire some practical skills and work with original language texts before we go to small group exercises that will empower you to speak up and discuss the topics at hand together with others in English. Moreover, all sessions will be kept together by short assignments that will trigger your creativity”
You Will Improve:
1
Your understanding
of contemporary social issues and applied ethics as a phenomenon
2
Your English-speaking skills — and the ability to use them freely in a live discussion
3
Your soft skills — by communication, self-expression and group work
Should I Take Part?
This club is for those who would like to practice their intermediate/upper intermediate English language skills in a live discussion with others. You do not need to be a fluent speaker with a rich vocabulary, but you have to be comfortable enough in your speaking and reading. If you are a fluent speaker, interested in the themes of this club, please expect that other participants’ level may slightly vary.
To understand the required level of English, you can listen to the lecture Must a Good Society Consist of Good People Only by Sven Gerst. If you understand the lecture and can keep up with the conversation, then your English level is enough to participate.
What To Expect?
We hold all sessions online via Zoom. Having booked a ticket, you will receive all detailed instructions, as well as a link to each session’s videoconference. The course group is no more than 25 participants; each session is 2 hours long. To participate, you will need a miс and a working camera on your laptop. And your curiosity.
Partner
Core Themes and Schedule
1
Nov 18 | Thu | 19:00–21:00
MEET, GREET & CONCEPT
During this intro session we will get acquainted, discuss the structure of this club and tools we will be using.
2
Nov 25 | Thu | 19:00–21:00
AFFLUENCE & POVERTY
Should you buy a latte at Starbucks or that designer handbag you always wanted, while wiring that same amount to charity can help save actual lives?
3
Nov 29 | Mon | 19:00–21:00
HATE SPEECH
Free speech is essential to free society, but not always benign: speaking your mind can actually hurt others. Should we impose limitations to what one can say in public to protect others from slander or hate?
4
Dec 2 | Thu | 19:00–21:00
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
The law allows us to cooperate with each other and to coordinate our social life. But that does not mean that all laws are just or simply not outdated. What happens if a law violates the most basic principles of morality? Do we have a duty to obey all laws because they are the law?
5
Dec 6 | Mon | 19:00–21:00
OPEN BORDERS
Our chances of living well are largely determined by our place of birth — and hence by something outside of our control. Do other nations have the responsibility to overcome their concerns, open their borders and allow those in poorer or less fortunate countries to move freely and thus achieve a better life?
6
Dec 9 | Thu | 19:30–21:00
ANIMAL RIGHTS
Everybody loves puppies and kittens… and we would never ever harm them. Yet, we eat cattle, pigs, and chicken — that seem equally adorable. Do we have moral obligations towards animals and how does one define them?
7
Dec 13 | Mon | 19:30–21:00
BODILY AUTONOMY
“My Body, My Choice!” has been a prominent feminist slogan; however, in many cases (such as abortion or vaccination), choices concerning our very own body also affect others. Should our right to choose what we do with ourselves take into account other people?