King’s College London
University of London
Examinations are governed by the College Regulations under
the authority of the Academic Board
Associate of King’s College
AKC:
Associate of King’s College
Examination Paper
for Theology & Religious
Studies students
Date:
Friday 27 March 2009 at 2.30pm
Time allowed:
2 hours
Answer THREE questions.
Answer one question from Part A AND one question from Part B
AND one question from Part A or Part B.
Please write the answers for each Part in separate booklets.
Use the ivory booklet for Part A and the lilac booklet for Part B.
Write your candidate number on each booklet.
The booklets should be handed in separately.
TURN OVER WHEN INSTRUCTED
2009 © King’s College London
AKC Examination for Theology & Religious Studies
Students 2009
Part A – ‘Ethical perspectives from Bioscience’ (Autumn semester)
1.
What is meant by a ‘critical period’ in the development of
mental abilities? Give an example of how impairment of
human development, during such a period, prevents the
acquisition of normal human instinctive responses to social
interactions. Does this alter the moral responsibility of an
affected individual in acts that would normally be controlled by
the defective brain region?
2.
Evolution is descent with modification from a common
ancestor. Discuss the evidence that supports the theory of
evolution and how it informs us of our place in the animal
kingdom. Also discuss the importance of variation and natural
selection in the evolutionary process, and give an example of
natural selection.
3.
Discuss EITHER
a) The notion that the consumption of beverages
containing alcohol is beneficial;
OR
b) The notion that the consumption of beverages containing
alcohol is harmful.
4.
The size of the human population exceeds the sustainable
carrying capacity of the planet. How can this problem be
solved?
5.
Describe and evaluate the scientific and ethical justification for
the generation of hybrid (admix) human embryos.
6.
Discuss the factors that have led to a review of medical
education in the UK and the changes that have resulted, with
special reference to the balance between the science and the
art underpinning medical practice.
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AKC Examination for Theology & Religious Studies
Students 2009
Part B – ‘Moral and Religious Belief in Ancient and Modern Philosophy’
(Spring semester)
7.
How might talking to Socrates help one towards moral
knowledge?
8.
EITHER
a) Can Aristotle explain why the good man should have
friends?
OR
b) Would the Stoic wise man be a better ruler than the
Platonic philosopher?
9.
Could Plotinus' God be an object of religious worship?
10.
Critically discuss the view of EITHER Averroes OR Aquinas
on the question of whether philosophy or theology is a
superior means of arriving at truth.
11.
Compare Hume and Kant’s attitude towards the role of reason
in relation to our moral beliefs. Which presents the more
plausible picture of human moral reasoning?
12.
Is Kant’s conception of religious belief a coherent one?
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