Tutor information
Doug Bamford
Doug Bamford teaches courses in philosophy and political economy at OUDCE. His main interest is in political philosophy and its application to public policy. He received his PhD in Political Philosophy at the University of Warwick in 2013. He is author of Rethinking Taxation (Searching Finance, 2014) and several papers (including articles in the Journal of Applied Philosophy and Moral Philosophy and Politics). He blogs at Doug Bamford's Tax Appeal.
Courses
The American moral and political philosopher John Rawls was born in February 1921. This (belated) day event to celebrate the centenary of his birth provides an opportunity to consider his ideas, methods, principles, theories, influence and legacy.
"What we speak", says Hāfez, the Persian poet, "becomes the house we live in". But how do we learn the meaning of what we speak? How do we communicate "meaningfully"? How do people create meaning from the utterances they make?
Taxation affects us all, but how can the system be improved? This introductory course for the lay person gives you the tools to analyse tax system reforms.
Political philosophy contains some of the greatest writings in the Western intellectual tradition. This online course introduces you to the central questions concerning the state, by means of classical and contemporary texts.
Climate change is driven by human economic activity. So how do economists approach and analyse the problem? What are their conclusions and proposals, and what policies do they advise? This day course explains the economic approach.
Taxation affects us all, but how can the system be improved? This introductory course for the lay person gives you the tools to analyse tax system reforms.
Political philosophy contains some of the greatest writings in the Western intellectual tradition. This online course introduces you to the central questions concerning the state, by means of classical and contemporary texts.
Many people assume that a just society should aim at equality between all citizens. But how does this fit with other important values? In this course we consider rival visions of an equal society.
The climate crisis is on everyone's mind, with the Cop26 summit taking place in November. In this interdisciplinary lecture series, experts in their fields will discuss the manifold implications of climate change for the planet and for human society.
An introduction to major figures from classical Chinese philosophy: Confucius, Mozi, Mencius, and Xunzi, and their ideas on correct social structure, virtue, human nature, the idea of effortless action, and the Dao.
Few would disagree that equality of opportunity is a good thing and discrimination is wrong. Yet there are significant disagreements about how to interpret these concepts and their implications for policy. This short course presents the ethical debates.
How much should each person contribute to and receive from society? This political and economic topic generates a lot of debate and disagreement. This course discusses the views of philosophers about principles of justice.
Moral dilemmas have perplexed philosophers for centuries, being also intrinsic to our moral lives. In engaging with the philosophical literature, this course will facilitate a discussion about what makes a genuine moral dilemma and how to resolve it.
How much should each person contribute to and receive from society? This political and economic topic generates a lot of debate and disagreement. This course discusses the views of philosophers about principles of justice.
An introduction to theories of Catastrophe from the nineteenth century to the present day, from the Victorian figure of the 'Last Man' to present-day doomsday scenarios born out of pandemics and the climate crisis.
Few would disagree that equality of opportunity is a good thing and discrimination is wrong. Yet there are significant disagreements about how to interpret these concepts and their implications for policy. This short course presents the ethical debates.