This session will look at case studies based on individuals who participated in the riots. We will explore and discuss students’ thoughts on the morality of these actions, based on their own intuitions and their knowledge of different moral theories.
The murder of three children in Southport in July 2024 led to a week of rioting across England and Northern Ireland, sparked by the spread of misinformation about the killer. The riots were partly organised by far-right and neo-Nazi groups which are banned in the UK under the Terrorism Act. But they also involved lots of individuals who were not members of these groups, or who saw what was happening and impulsively joined in.
This session will look at three case studies based on individuals who participated in the riots. Their actions include theft, violence, arson, and the use of racial slurs. We will explore and discuss students’ thoughts on the morality of these actions, based on their own intuitions and their knowledge of different moral theories.
What were the consequences of their actions? Were their actions voluntary or involuntary: did they have all the facts about the events they were taking part in, or did they regret their actions afterwards? And should these things matter to our moral judgments about these individuals?
Lecturer Profile: Emily Boocock is a PhD candidate at the University of Warwick. Her research is on the philosophy of extremism, with a particular focus on large-scale violence and group action.
Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. There is no charge to take part.
As a live, participative event, this session will not be recorded but slides and other resources will be shared after the event, where available.
Suitable for: Aged 16+ pre-university students studying, or with a possible interest in studying, Philosophy, Religious Studies and related disciplines. Student groups, and individual students and teachers are very welcome to join us.
Preparation/Pre-Reading: Students may wish to consider the topic in advance, with respect to actions and skills they think might be required or questions they have. Students can also think about questions they have about studying at university level.
The IT Setup: The event will be run on Zoom and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the university via typed comments and questions and/or a microphone. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.
Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form on this page.