Ethical theories

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the concepts of absolutist and relativist morality;
• what it means to call an ethical theory absolutist and objective;
• what it means to call an ethical theory relativist and subjective;
• the terms deontological and teleological.

Candidates should be able discuss critically these concepts and their strengths and weaknesses.

Ethical theories: Natural Law

Natural Law

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the origins of Aquinas’ Natural Law in Aristotle’s idea of purpose;
• Aquinas’ ideas of purpose and perfection;
• the use of reason to discover Natural Law;
• the primary and secondary precepts.

Candidates should be able to discuss critically these views and their strengths and weaknesses.

Ethical theories: Kantian ethics

Kantian ethics

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the difference between the Categorical and the Hypothetical Imperatives;
• the various formulations of the Categorical Imperative;
• Kant’s understanding of the universalisation of maxims;
• Kant’s theory of duty;
• Kant’s ideas of the moral law, good will and the summum bonum.

Candidates should be able to discuss critically these theories and their strengths and weaknesses.

Ethical theories: Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the classical forms of Utilitarianism from Bentham and Mill;
• the principle of Utility;
• the differences between the Utilitarianism of Bentham and of Mill;
• the Hedonic Calculus, higher and lower pleasures, quantity v. quality, and Act and Rule Utilitarianism;
• the Preference Utilitarianism of Peter Singer.

Candidates should be able to discuss critically these issues and their strengths and weaknesses.

Ethical theories: religious ethics

Religious ethics – a study of the ethics of the religion chosen by the candidate

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the main ethical principles of the religion studied and how the followers of the religion make ethical decisions;
• the ways in which religion and morality may seem to be linked or be seen as separate from each other;
• how far morality may be seen as dependant on God (Divine Command theory);
• how far religious ethics may be seen as absolutist or relativist;
• how ethical theories may be considered religious.

Candidates should be able to discuss critically these issues and their strengths and weaknesses.

Applied Ethics

The ethical theories:

• Natural Law;
• Kantian Ethics;
• Utilitarianism;
• Religious Ethics.

as applied to the ethical topics below.