MATRICULATION AND SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
BOARD
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ADVANCED LEVEL SAMPLE PAPER SYLLABUS 2012
SUBJECT : AM 25 PHILOSOPHY
PAPER: II
DATE:
TIME: 3 hours
Answer one question from each section. All questions carry equal marks.
Section A. Ethics
1. Discuss Finnis’ account of the relationship between desire and understanding.
2. Outline the key features of utilitarianism as an ethical theory.
Section B. Selected Texts I (Classical and Modern texts)
3. Discuss Socrates’ criticism of writing in the Phaedrus.
4. How does Aristotle distinguish between intellectual and moral virtues, and
what does he say about them?
5. The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good
in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs or
impede their efforts to obtain it.’ (J.S.Mill, On Liberty). Do you agree? Give
reasons.
Section C. Selected Texts II (Contemporary Texts)
6. Discuss the fundamental mistake that Ryle attributes to Descartes.
7. What does Austin find problematic with his own constative-performative
distinction?
8. What does Taylor suggest as remedies to the problems of modernity?
9. Discuss Gadamer’s concept of play for an understanding of art.