Ethical Theories | AQA A-Level Religious Studies (7062)
Ethical Theories
- 57 questions
- 4 subtopics
- Component 1 Section B: ethics and religion
- Component 1
Natural moral law, situation ethics and virtue ethics — their foundations, their working principles and the criticisms each attracts..
It covers natural Moral Law and Its Precepts, fletcher's Situation Ethics and Aristotle's Virtue Ethics, applying the Three Theories and strengths and Weaknesses of the Three Theories.
Sample questions from Ethical Theories
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Natural Moral Law and Its Precepts
What is the primary precept of living in society in Aquinas's natural moral law?
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It is one of the fundamental goods towards which human nature is inclined, directing humans to live harmoniously with others in community. -
Natural Moral Law and Its Precepts
State the condition of the principle of double effect concerning proportionality.
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There must be proportionate reason for permitting the bad effect. -
Fletcher's Situation Ethics and Aristotle's Virtue Ethics
State Fletcher's proposition about what is intrinsically good.
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Only love is intrinsically good. -
Fletcher's Situation Ethics and Aristotle's Virtue Ethics
According to Aristotle, what is the ultimate goal of human life?
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Eudaimonia, often translated as flourishing or happiness. -
Applying the Three Theories
How would natural moral law typically evaluate theft?
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It would condemn theft as violating the precept of living in society and respecting others' property. -
Applying the Three Theories
How would natural moral law typically evaluate lying?
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It would condemn lying as contrary to the rational nature of humans and the purpose of speech. -
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Three Theories
What is a strength of situation ethics regarding its adaptability?
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Its flexibility allows moral decisions to be tailored to the specific circumstances. -
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Three Theories
What is a strength of virtue ethics regarding its scope of concern?
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It focuses on the whole person and character development rather than isolated actions.
The 4 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Moral Law and Its Precepts | Recall questions on deontological ethics and on Aquinas's primary precepts, including preservation of life and reproduction. | 16 |
| Fletcher's Situation Ethics and Aristotle's Virtue Ethics | Recall questions on Fletcher's single absolute of agape, his four working principles and six propositions, and on Aristotle's eudaimonia, intellectual and moral virtues, the doctrine of the mean and phronesis. | 20 |
| Applying the Three Theories | Recall questions on how natural moral law, situation ethics and virtue ethics each approach a decision, and how each would judge theft. | 9 |
| Strengths and Weaknesses of the Three Theories | Recall questions on the strengths and weaknesses of natural moral law, situation ethics and virtue ethics, from universal and accessible principles to adaptability, moral standards and practical guidance. | 12 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
AQA A-Level Religious Studies Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 3,683 questions with their answers.