Philosophy & Ethics (Religious Studies) - Littleover Community School

Examination Board:
AQA
Syllabus Content:
AS
Unit 1A: Ethics 1
1. Utilitarianism
General principles of utilitarianism
The application of utilitarianism to an ethical issue of the candidate’s choice
2. Situation Ethics
Situation ethics and the idea of situation and ideas about conscience
The application of situation ethics to an ethical issue of the candidate’s choice
3. Religious teachings on the nature and value of human life
4. Abortion and Euthanasia
Arguments for and against abortion with reference to religious and ethical teachings
Unit 1D: Religion, Philosophy and Science
1. Miracles
Violations of natural law and events of religious significance
Arguments from philosophy and science
2. Creation
Religious beliefs about the creation of the universe and the origin of human beings
An outline of key scientific theories on the nature and origin of the universe and
human beings
The challenge to religious belief presented by science, and religious responses
3. The Design Argument
The Design Argument as presented by Aquinas and Paley
Responses to the Design Argument from philosophy and science
4. Quantum Mechanics and a religious world view
Key ideas in the world view of Quantum Mechanics
The implications to religion and philosophy of Quantum Mechanics
A2
Unit 3B: Philosophy of Religion
1. The Ontological Argument and the relationship between faith and reason
The argument as presented by Anselm and Descartes
Key objections to the argument
The relationship between faith and reason
2. Religious language
Problems of religious language, meaningfulness and the verification principle
Different views of religious language
3. Body, soul and personal identity
The nature and existence of soul and body
Personal identity
Nature and value of near death experiences as evidence of survival beyond death
4. The problem of evil
The concept of evil
Religious responses to the problem of evil
The strengths and weaknesses of these responses
Unit 4C: Ways of moral decision making
Candidates will be expected to understand and apply the approaches religions and ethicists take
to moral decision making. They can select from the following topics:
Medical research and medical developments
Business practice and economics
Both areas will be studied from the perspective of a range of ethical theories and religious
teachings.