Topics include:
Arguments for the existence of God:
The Teleological argument
Presentation: Paley’s analogical argument.
Criticisms: Hume.
The Ontological argument
Presentation: Anselm’s a priori argument.
Criticisms: Gaunilo and Kant.
The Cosmological argument
Presentation: Aquinas' Way 3. The argument from contingency and necessity.
Criticisms: Hume and Russell.
Evil and suffering
The problem of evil and suffering.
The concepts of natural and moral evil.
The logical and evidential problem of evil.
Responses to the problem of evil and suffering.
Hick’s soul making theodicy.
The free will defence.
Process theodicy as presented by Griffin.
The strengths and weaknesses of each response.
Religious experience
The nature of religious experience.
Visions: corporeal, imaginative and intellectual.
Numinous experiences: Otto, an apprehension of the wholly other.
Mystical experiences: William James; non sensuous and non-intellectual union with the divine as presented by William Stace
Analogy is an inference where information or meaning is transferred from one subject to another based on similarities or comparison. An analogical argument relies on analogy to show that due to similarities between the two subjects some further conclusion
Claims that rely on a logical deduction and not on sense experience, they are ‘prior to’ or ‘before’ sense experience. For example, the truth claim of the statement ‘a triangle has three sides’, follows from the definition of the term, not from knowledge
A contingent truth or being depends on some other factor it could have been otherwise. Necessity implies that something is required, or always true; a fundamental and essential thing.
Evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement. In philosophy, this means there is sufficient evidence or argument to support the truth of a proposition.
That which is contrary to God’s will; cause of suffering; the moral opposite of good.
Cause of suffering within the natural world including disaster, disease, decay and death. Sometimes referred to as suffering, this is evil which is not the consequence of specific human action and humans generally have little or no control over it.
Intentional human action (commission) or inaction (omission) that results in suffering, eg murder.
A concept that describes how suffering helps humans develop morally.
A defence of the justice and goodness of God in the light of evil.
The ability to act at one’s own discretion. This results in having moral responsibility for our free choices.
Awareness and evaluation of philosophical and religious arguments.
Understanding of the beliefs of others and respect shown through discussion of various viewpoints.
Topics include:
Normative ethical theories
Deontological: natural moral law and the principle of double effect with reference to Aquinas; proportionalism.
Teleological: situation ethics with reference to Fletcher.
Character based: virtue ethics with reference to Aristotle.
The differing approaches taken to moral decision making by these ethical theories.
Their application to the issues of theft and lying.
The strengths and weaknesses of these ways of making moral decisions.
This term comes from the Greek word ethikos, which in its root form (ethos) means custom or habit. It refers to a branch of moral philosophy that aims to determine the meaning of right and wrong, and subsequently the correct way to act.
The application of normative ethical principles to practical situations and moral dilemmas.
Ethical theories which inform people how they should act and which ethical norms to follow.
Any ethical theory which argues that the rightness or wrongness of an act lies in doing the right thing because it is the right thing in itself – regardless of any consequences. It is judged by whether the act adheres to specific duties, rules and obligat
Any ethical theory which argues the rightness or wrongness of an action according to its consequences. The term is derived from the Greek ‘telos’ meaning ‘end’ or ‘purpose’.
Idea based on the premise that the Natural Law could be laid aside if there was a proportional reason for doing so, eg greater good could be served by doing it, in that particular scenario.
Scientific research using embryonic cells, for example stem cell research.
The process produces genetically identical individuals of an organism, or copies of cells or DNA fragments which is also known as ‘somatic transfer’.
Common term used to describe a human embryo which has been genetically modified. This would be following guidelines set by the parent or scientist, to produce desirable traits such as eliminating a genetic disorder.
A medical procedure to terminate a pregnancy, normally before the foetus can survive independently
Awareness and evaluation of ethical and religious arguments.
Understanding of the beliefs of others and respect shown through discussion of various viewpoints.
Issues of human life and death:
embryo research; cloning; ‘designer’ babies
abortion
voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide
capital punishment.
Issues of non-human life and death:
use of animals as food; intensive farming
use of animals in scientific procedures; cloning
blood sports
animals as a source of organs for transplants.
Euthanasia literally translates from the Greek meaning ‘a good death’. It describes a medical procedure by which either a person terminates his or her own life because of extreme pain or suffering, or the life of another person is either allowed to come t
Punishment for a crime via the death penalty.
The use of non-human animals in experiments for medical or scientific progress.
Also known as factory farming, this is a production-focused approach towards farm animals which aims to maximize output, while minimizing production costs. Often associated with intensive breeding programmes, hormone modification and cramped conditions.
A sport involving the hunting, wounding, or killing of animals.
Considers the meaning and justification of ethics. Meta ethics considers the meaning of terms such as ‘good’ and ‘right’.
A meta-ethical view that morality is defined by facts about nature or human nature.
The meta-ethical view that knowledge is a factual property known through means outside ‘naturalism’, for example by intuition or God’s commands.
A form of ethical non-naturalism. The meta-ethical view that moral knowledge is a property known by intuition.
To be morally responsible requires freedom of choice. It is the status of morally deserving praise, blame, reward, or punishment for an act or omission, in accordance with moral obligations.
The faculty said to enable us to make moral decisions, by giving us a sense of right and wrong.
A married person engaging in voluntary sexual intercourse with a person who is not their spouse.
Awareness and evaluation of ethical and religious arguments.
Understanding of the beliefs of others and respect shown through discussion of various viewpoints.
Students will study the following with reference to Christianity:
• Sources of wisdom and authority
• God/gods/ultimate reality
• Self, death and the afterlife
• Good conduct and key moral principles
• Expression of religious identity
The Greek word for ‘unconditional love’, and the basis for the Golden Rule for Christians, and of Jesus’ sacrificial crucifixion.
A member of the Anglican Church, or the adjective used to describe Anglican practices or beliefs. The Church of England is one part of the Anglican Communion.
From the Greek word meaning ‘emissary’, usually used to refer to the Twelve Disciples.
Making amends for sin, usually referring to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross which Christians believe was the ultimate act of atonement, to remove all of humanity’s sin.
The rite of initiation for Christians, in which water is used to symbolise the washing away of sin and to welcome the person into the Christian church. For some Christians (such as Roman Catholics), this is usually paedobaptism, which is the baptising of
The holy book for Christianity, made up of the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament is found in Judaism and Islam in various formats, whereas the New Testament focuses on the life and works of Jesus, and various letters (or Epistles) written by early
The most senior order of ordination (above deacons and priests), who are a focal point of unity for their diocese, and are able to perform confirmations and ordinations.
The doctrine of Christianity which follows the teachings of Calvin, including predestination and sola scriptura.
The texts which are found in authorised versions of the Bible.
The Roman Catholic Church’s summary of its doctrine and moral code.
Awareness and evaluation of theological arguments and religious thought.
Understanding of the beliefs of others and respect shown through discussion of various viewpoints.
Students will study the following with reference to Christianity:
• Sources of wisdom and authority
• God/gods/ultimate reality
• Self, death and the afterlife
• Good conduct and key moral principles
• Expression of religious identity
If spelt with a small ‘c’, catholic means universal, and can refer to the worldwide church. With a capital ‘C’, Catholic refers to an adherent to Roman Catholicism, or the adjective used to describe Roman Catholic practice and doctrine.
Refraining from sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, for example to fulfil a vow made as a religious monk, nun, or Roman Catholic priest.
The study of the identity of Jesus Christ, and his status as divine, human, the Messiah, and/or the Son of God for Christians.
One of the seven sacraments for Roman Catholics (and some Anglo-Catholics, or Church of England Christians who use the seven sacraments as part of their worship), where a Christian will tell the priest their sins, will receive advice and/or a penance (som
An agreement between God and humans.
The belief, prevalent in Process Theology, that God is not fully omnipotent, but rather is confined by the laws of the universe and must act in accordance with them.
From the Greek for ‘thanksgiving’, it is another word for Holy Communion or mass, the central practice of most Christian worship, involving the eating of bread (and, for some Christians, the drinking of wine).
An account of the life of Jesus Christ, meaning ‘good news’. In the (canonical) Bible, there are four gospels, three of which are similar and known as the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The fourth Gospel, John, is written in a more poetic sty
The belief that, when a person dies, the immaterial soul will continue to exist, either within or outside of a body.
‘God becoming flesh’, for Christians this refers to the birth of Jesus as the incarnation of God, being both fully divine and fully human.
The form in which Christians worship, usually in a Church, and which can follow a set structure and wording.
Literally this means ‘anointed one’, referring to the idea of the Messiah being a king (even today the monarch of the United Kingdom is anointed when they are crowned king or queen).
Awareness and evaluation of theological arguments and religious thought.
Understanding of the beliefs of others and respect shown through discussion of various viewpoints.