WJEC/Eduqas RS for A2/Yr2: Religion and Ethics (DRAFT)

WJEC / Eduqas Religious Studies for A Level Year 2 and A2 Religion and Ethics

identified the 25,000 or so genes that make up the human genetic code but genes themselves still need instructions for what to do, and where and when to do it, e.g. a human liver cell contains the same DNA as a brain cell, yet somehow it knows to code only those proteins needed for the functioning of the liver. Those instructions are known as ‘ epigenetic switches ’. However, the greatest surprise of their discovery was that epigenetic switches are sensitive to the environment of the gene carrier, i.e. what a mother eats in pregnancy, her behaviour or surroundings could affect the ‘epigenetic switches’ and the foetus and thus the health and behaviour of their child. More and more studies have supported these findings; with researchers reporting that, for example, an extra bit of a vitamin, a brief exposure to a toxin, even an added dose of mothering can tweak the epigenetic switches; thereby altering the software of the foetus’ genes in ways that will affect an individual’s body and brain for life. Through the study of epigenetic switches, it would appear that human beings have control over their genetic legacy. As Jirtle states: ‘Before, genes predetermined outcomes. Now everything we do, everything we eat or smoke can affect our gene expression and that of future generations. Epigenetic switches introduces the concept of free will into our idea of genetics.’ Psychological Libertarianism – Carl Rogers The psychological school of thought called ‘Humanism’ supports libertarianism theory. Humanism is a psychological approach that encourages the human being to consider their own behaviour, as opposed to the psychologist considering their behaviour. It is sometimes referred to as a phenomenological approach. One of the early founders of Humanism was American psychologist Carl Rogers (1902–1987). Rogers advanced the field of Humanism by stressing that the human person is an active, creative, experiencing being who lives in the present and responds freely to current perceptions, relationships and encounters. Rogers’ humanist theory can be interpreted as libertarian. Rogers starts his theory by conceding that a human being’s life can, as supported by Behaviourism theorists, become determined by external conditioning such as: parental, peer or societal pressures. Rogers, however, rejected the permanent deterministic nature of Behaviourism because he believed that the human being can achieve free will through the process that Rogers termed ‘self-actualisation’. Rogers argued that all children have their own ideas and thoughts about numerous aspects of life, such as: politics, religion, sexual matters, etc. For such ideas to flourish the child needs an environment that provides them with three elements: 1. Genuineness: the child is in an open environment where they can freely disclose and explore their own ideas. 2. Acceptance: the child is in an environment where they are given unconditional positive regard and love. Unconditional acceptance is where parents, and significant others, accept and love the child for what he or she is. Positive regard is not withdrawn if the person does something wrong or makes a mistake. 3. Empathy: being in an environment where the child is understood by parents and significant others. Without these three elements Rogers believed a healthy free-willed personality will not develop, much like a plant will not grow without sunlight and water. Therefore, when a child’s parents, peers or society disapprove of their thoughts and feelings, the child considers itself to be a rebel and thus thinks their freely willed feelings and thoughts are wrong. The child believes the only way to achieve acceptance from their parents, peers or society, is to forget about their own free-willed thoughts and feelings. In a sense the child rejects who they really are and just acts in a way they think their parents, peers, etc., want them to, i.e. they reject their own ‘will’ and replace it with the deterministic model encouraged by the parents,

Key term Epigenetic switches: code DNA to produce the right proteins for a particular function

4.25 Which part of the brain did Sirigu believe free will resides in?

Specification content Psychological (Carl Rogers: humanist approach, self-actualisation).

DRAFT

Key quote What it tells us is there are specific brain regions that are involved in the consciousness of your movement. (Sirigu)

130