This subtopic examines the core principles of utilitarianism as developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. Bentham's act utilitarianism applies the principle of utility directly to each action, seeking the greatest happiness for the greatest number, while Mill's rule utilitarianism proposes that we follow rules that tend to promote general happiness. Students critically evaluate these theories by considering issues such as the calculation of consequences, justice, and the compatibility with common moral intuitions.
Moral Philosophy, also known as ethics, is a central branch of philosophy that examines how we ought to live, what actions are right or wrong, and what it means to be a good person. In the AQA A-Level Philosophy course, this topic is divided into three key normative ethical theories: utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, and Aristotelian virtue ethics. You will also explore meta-ethics, which investigates the nature of moral language and whether moral truths exist objectively. Understanding these theories is essential for tackling applied ethics issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, and animal rights, which are often examined in the 'Moral Philosophy' section of Paper 1.
Studying moral philosophy matters because it equips you with rigorous frameworks for analysing real-world moral dilemmas, a skill valued in law, politics, medicine, and everyday life. The AQA specification requires you to not only explain each theory but also critically evaluate its strengths and weaknesses using key thinkers (e.g., Bentham, Mill, Kant, Aristotle) and concepts (e.g., the categorical imperative, the principle of utility, the golden mean). You must also be able to compare theories and apply them to specific scenarios, which is a common exam skill.
Within the wider AQA Philosophy course, moral philosophy connects to epistemology (how we know moral truths) and metaphysics of mind (e.g., free will and moral responsibility). It also links to the 'Philosophy of Religion' topic through debates about divine command theory. Mastering moral philosophy requires careful reading of primary texts, active engagement with criticisms, and practice in constructing clear, balanced arguments.
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