Sixth Form Recommended Reading

Theology & Ethics

“ A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world. ” Albert Camus

My Confession by Friedrich Nietzsche

Head of Theology & Ethics Mr Wallendahl says: “A beautifully written, autobiographical account of the Russian great's existential crisis and eventual religious reconciliation. Wonderful imagery, and no better account of the nihilists problem - how to find meaning.” My Confession is a brief autobiographical story of the author's struggle with a mid-life existential crisis. It describes his search for the answer to the ultimate philosophical question: "If God does not exist, since death is inevitable, what is the meaning of life?." Without the answer to this, for him, life had become "impossible". Tolstoy goes on to describe four possible attitudes towards the dilemma of inevitable death; ignorance , Epicureanism (being fully aware that life is ephemeral), suicide and living “despite the absurdity of it ” .

Justice: What ’ s the Right Thing to Do? by Michael Sandel

For readers of all ages and political persuasions; this book will take you on a journey of moral reflection and shows how reasoned debate can illuminate our lives.

Is it always wrong to lie? Should there be limits to personal freedom? Can killing sometimes be justified? Is the free market fair? What is the right thing to do?

Questions like these are at the heart of our lives. In this acclaimed book Michael Sandel - BBC Reith Lecturer and the Harvard professor whose 'Justice' course has become world famous - gives us a lively and accessible introduction to the intersection of politics and philosophy. He helps us think our way through such hotly contested issues as equal rights, democracy, euthanasia, abortion and same-sex marriage, as well as the ethical dilemmas we face every day.