Philosophy & Ethics
Examination board: OCR
Specification name: Religious Studies
Linear or Modular: Modular
Specification codes: H172/H572
Subject content:
Unit 1 G571: AS Philosophy of Religion
 Plato and Philosophy of Religion
 Aristotle and Philosophy of Religion
 God the creator
 The Goodness of God
 The Ontological Argument
 The Cosmological Argument
 The Teleological Argument
 The Moral Argument
 The Problem Of Evil
 Science and Religion
 Psychology and Sociology of Religion
Unit G572: AS Religious Ethics
 Moral Absolutism and Moral
Relativism
 Natural Moral law
 Kant
 Utilitarianism
 Religious Ethics – Christian Ethics
 Abortion and the Right to Child
 Euthanasia and the Right to Life
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Genetic Engineering and Embryo
Research
War and Peace
Unit G581: A2 Philosophy of Religion
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Life after death
Revelation and Holy scripture
Religious Experience
Miracles
Religious language
The Nature of God
Unit G582: A2 Religious Ethics
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Meta-ethics;
Free will and determinism;
Conscience;
Virtue ethics;
Sexual Ethics
Environmental and Business Ethics
Assessment procedures:
Pupils will take 2 exams in AS Religious Studies. Both are worth 50% if the course and last 1 hour and
30 minutes. One exam covers the G571 Philosophy of Religion unit and the other assesses the G572
Religious ethics unit.
In A2 Religious Studies, once again there are 2 papers which test the philosophy and ethics units.
Each paper last 1 hour and 30 minutes long. The marks from AS and A2 are then combined for the
full A level qualification.
Qualities and skills essential for studying Religious Studies: Philosophy and Ethics
The ideal student for Philosophy and Ethics has a passion for moral issues and seeks answers to the
big questions such as whether God exists. They should be confident when expressing their own
opinions but also able to look at opposing and differing views to their own. The course is based on
extended writing therefore you should be able to formulate essays and enjoy independent research
Philosophy & Ethics
outside of class to further your knowledge. Philosophy and ethics contains many challenging
questions and concepts, therefore you need to be resilient and hardworking. Finally you should be
able to evaluate different ideas and theories, this often involves independent thinking and being
able to weight up the strengths and weaknesses for yourself.
Entrance requirements
We require that pupils have a grade B in English Language and a grade B in Religious Studies
What can I do after I study Religious Studies: Philosophy and Ethics?
Religious Studies: Philosophy and Ethics is a great foundation if you want to study English, Law,
History, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Theology, Politics, Medicine and many more at
university.
Additional information
Speak to Ms Taylor, Ms Osman or Ms West for further information.