Core Revision:
Philosophical Issue and Approaches
While you are dealing with one issue you must consider two approaches to that issue. I would avoid
three or more as this will limit your analysis and evaluation of the two.
For Example:
I’ve offered three approaches in this example of how Issues and Approaches fit together, but you can
add more approaches. Then choose the ones that you feel best able to discuss.
Key Skills you are trying to demonstrate:
Description and Explanation of the Issue and Approaches: [Criterion B]
o What are the key terms that the Issue and Approaches use, and what are their definitions?
o If you could give a one sentence précis of the Issue and an Approach what would it be?
o What are the questions the theory is meant to engage with and offer answers to?
Analysis the Issue and Approaches (being able to explain how the theory works: [Criterion C]
o How does the issue fit with other theories (similarities/comparisons/contrasts)
o What is the evidence for the Approaches – why might they be correct?
o What are the main arguments in favour of the Approaches’ responses to a particular issue?
How do those arguments work? What are the main arguments against the Approach?
Evaluate the Approaches and Issue (add your own comments about the approaches): [Criterion D]
o How well do you think the Approach answers the issues raised?
o Do you think this Approach is better at answering the questions raised by the issue? (you
cannot leave this question unanswered. THIS is what the examination is all about – seeing
what you, as a young philosopher, actually thinks about the material)
o What reasons can you give for your thinking the Approach is better or worse than an
alternative?
Describe the Theory
Key Terms and Concepts:
I’ve started off a list of Key terms. Add your own at the bottom. For each, offer a definition and a
sentence or two about its connection to the philosophical issue. If you are using a source, give
a citation, create a hyperlink to it, or add the URL.
●
<What others would you add?>
One sentence précis:
What would your One Sentence Precis of the issue be? How many different ways of characterizing
the issue can we come up with? Choose the one you think is best, or the one you think shows the
best understanding of the issue.
●
<add your précis here>
Questions the theory is meant to engage with and offer answers to?
In this section: try to write out a sentence or two about what you see the whole issue is about. What
is the issue meant to offer answers to? What Questions can you think of which the theories try to
answer? How many can we come up with.
● <add your comments >
Analyse the Theory
How does the theory work?
What links or ideas are shared with other philosophical concepts or ideas?
How does the issue fit with other theories (similarities/comparisons/contrasts)?
 <add your comments >
What is the evidence and arguments for one of the approaches to the issue? What would you
say are the reasons for accepting one particular approach, what are the arguments in favour of the
approach? Why would a reasonable person accept the theory?
● <add your comments>
What are the main arguments against the theory? What are the arguments against the theory?
What reasons would we have for not accepting it?
● <add your comments >
Evaluate the Approaches
These are a series of questions designed to lead you towards your own evaluation of the approaches.
You needn’t slavishly answer each of them as it may be repetitive. Your own comment/evaluation
should come out by considering them together. This is where you step up to the plate and make
decisions about the theories and issues – you should not be wondering what your own attitudes
during the exam – know what you think about them beforehand!
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What do you think are the strengths of the Approaches?
How well do you think the Approach answers the issues raised?
Do you think this Approach is better at answering the questions raised by the issue? (you
cannot leave this question unanswered. THIS is what the examination is all about – seeing
what you, as a young philosopher, actually thinks about the material)
What reasons can you give for your thinking the Approach is better or worse than an
alternative?
If you were King of the World which approach would you implement and why?