AQA - Unit 3A – Religion and Ethics (RST3A)
The criteria:
Unit 3A - 25% of A Level
1 hour 30 minutes written examination
100 marks
The exam - Two structured essay questions (which has two parts) from a choice of four.
Introduction
Four topics are identified for study and there will be one question based on each topic. Candidates must answer two questions.
Understanding of any one topic may be informed by a study of the others, and, where relevant, candidates may draw on material from more than one topic in their answer to any question set. To study less than the full Specification content may disadvantage a candidate's synoptic grasp of the material for study.
Where appropriate, answers should show awareness that there are differing views on the topics and issues studied.
AO1 questions will be set on the content listed below.
AO2 questions will be focused on the issues surrounding the interpretation of the material studied or on the issues arising from that material identified in the boxes below.
Topic 1. Libertarianism, free will and determinism
Topic 2. Virtue Ethics
Topic 3. Religious views on sexual behaviour and human relationships
Candidates will be expected to have studied the teachings of one of the six major world religions, but, where appropriate, may refer to more than one religion in their answers.
Candidates should note that views should focus upon:
Topic 4. Science and technology
Unit 3A - 25% of A Level
1 hour 30 minutes written examination
100 marks
The exam - Two structured essay questions (which has two parts) from a choice of four.
Introduction
Four topics are identified for study and there will be one question based on each topic. Candidates must answer two questions.
Understanding of any one topic may be informed by a study of the others, and, where relevant, candidates may draw on material from more than one topic in their answer to any question set. To study less than the full Specification content may disadvantage a candidate's synoptic grasp of the material for study.
Where appropriate, answers should show awareness that there are differing views on the topics and issues studied.
AO1 questions will be set on the content listed below.
AO2 questions will be focused on the issues surrounding the interpretation of the material studied or on the issues arising from that material identified in the boxes below.
Topic 1. Libertarianism, free will and determinism
- Free will: question of genetics and environment; free will curtailed by volition; contracting into societies; conflict of free wills
- Libertarianism: the personality and the moral self; the conscience; the causally undetermined choice
- Determinism: the principle of causality; 'hard' determinism and 'soft' determinism; internal and external causation
- A religious perspective on libertarianism and determinism
- How free are human actions and choices?
- Is it the case that, unless you are in complete isolation, you can never have true libertarianism?
- Does libertarianism require no influences to be truly free?
- If we are not free, can we be held responsible for our actions?
- Strengths and weaknesses of libertarianism, free will and determinism for making ethical choices
Topic 2. Virtue Ethics
- Aristotle's view: happiness (eudaimonia), moral and intellectual virtues, cardinal virtues and capital vices
- Modern Virtue Ethics: MacIntyre and Foot
- The application of Virtue Ethics to one issue of the candidate's choice apart from issues in science and technology
- Strengths and weaknesses of Virtue Ethics as an ethical system
- Is Virtue Ethics really different from deontological and teleological systems?
- The significance of a particular view of human nature for Virtue Ethics
- How compatible is Virtue Ethics with a religious approach to ethics?
Topic 3. Religious views on sexual behaviour and human relationships
Candidates will be expected to have studied the teachings of one of the six major world religions, but, where appropriate, may refer to more than one religion in their answers.
Candidates should note that views should focus upon:
- Scripture-based ideas which are rooted in text
- Institutional-based ideas which have been developed by a particular religious institution
- Individual-based ideas which will have been developed from individual conscience or interpretation of scripture/institutional based ideas
- Sexual behaviour outside marriage, including pleasure and procreation
- Views on marriage as a sacred event or secular monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, adultery
- Human relationships, respect and responsibility for others, the abuse of power
- Concept of love (different styles: brotherly, physical, Christian agapé), family and children
- Because religious teaching is rooted in history, is it ever relevant to people today?
- Whether sexual behaviour is a matter that religion should concern itself with
- Is modern society setting its own codes of behaviour, and is religion simply trying to adapt to them?
Topic 4. Science and technology
- Experimentation (animals and humans) and the role of ethics in decision-making
- Inventions and the role of ethics in the control of their use (e.g. nuclear inventions)
- Scientific and technological advances and decisions about who benefits
- Human rights and the conflict with the use of technology, e.g. surveillance, data storage, cyber crime
- A religious perspective on these issues in science and technology
- Should science be controlled by ethics, and, if so, which ethical system?
- Is it better for ethics to be reactive – to respond to new scientific ideas?
- Can a scientific discovery be 'undiscovered'?
- How far should society allow religion to control scientific and technological development?