How do I revise Moral philosophy for AQA A-Level?

Ensure you can explain how a Utilitarian, a Kantian, and a Virtue Ethicist would each approach the same issue

What exam tips are there for Moral philosophy? (2)

Use the specific issues as a vehicle to demonstrate your understanding of the normative theories

What exam tips are there for Moral philosophy? (3)

Practice constructing arguments that weigh competing ethical considerations for each issue

What mistakes should I avoid in Moral philosophy?

Describing ethical theories in isolation without applying them to the specific issues

What are common errors in Moral philosophy exams? (2)

Failing to use meta-ethical concepts to deepen the analysis of the applied issues

Moral philosophy

AQA

A-Level

Applied ethics involves the application of normative ethical theories and meta-ethical frameworks to specific moral issues. Students are required to use their knowledge of Utilitarianism, Kantian deontological ethics, and Aristotelian virtue ethics, alongside meta-ethical positions, to evaluate four specific moral topics.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Subtopics in this area

Moral philosophy

Topic Overview

Moral philosophy, also known as ethics, is the branch of philosophy that examines questions about right and wrong, good and bad, and how we ought to live. In the AQA A-Level Philosophy syllabus, this topic is divided into three major normative ethical theories: utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, and Aristotelian virtue ethics. You will also study meta-ethics, which explores the nature of moral language and whether moral truths exist objectively. Understanding these frameworks is essential for analysing real-world moral dilemmas and for developing coherent arguments in essays.

Why does moral philosophy matter? It forces you to critically examine the principles behind your own moral intuitions and those of society. For example, when debating issues like euthanasia, animal rights, or global poverty, you can apply utilitarian calculations, Kantian duties, or virtue-based reasoning to reach a justified conclusion. This topic also connects to other areas of philosophy, such as philosophy of mind (free will and moral responsibility) and political philosophy (justice and rights). Mastering moral philosophy will sharpen your analytical skills and help you construct persuasive, well-reasoned essays.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Accurate application of normative ethical theories to the specified issues
Integration of meta-ethical perspectives where relevant
Clear evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of applying specific theories to the issues
Use of philosophical terminology to structure arguments
Ability to compare how different theories reach different conclusions on the same issue
Distinction between cognitivism and non-cognitivism
Moral realism (naturalism and non-naturalism)
Moral anti-realism (Error Theory, Emotivism, Prescriptivism)

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Accurate application of normative ethical theories to the specified issues
Integration of meta-ethical perspectives where relevant
Clear evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of applying specific theories to the issues
Use of philosophical terminology to structure arguments
Ability to compare how different theories reach different conclusions on the same issue
Distinction between cognitivism and non-cognitivism
Moral realism (naturalism and non-naturalism)
Moral anti-realism (Error Theory, Emotivism, Prescriptivism)
Hume's Fork and the verification principle
Hume's is-ought gap and motivation argument
Mackie's arguments from relativity and queerness
Moore's open question argument and the Naturalistic Fallacy
Accurate definition of 'utility' and 'maximising utility' in Utilitarianism (Bentham vs Mill).
Distinction between act and rule utilitarianism.
Understanding of Kant's 'good will', duty, and the categorical imperative (first and second formulations).
Understanding of Eudaimonia, the function argument, and the doctrine of the mean in Virtue Ethics.
Ability to compare and contrast the three theories.
Evaluation of specific issues such as Nozick's experience machine, clashing duties, or the skill analogy.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you can explain how a Utilitarian, a Kantian, and a Virtue Ethicist would each approach the same issue
💡Use the specific issues as a vehicle to demonstrate your understanding of the normative theories
💡Practice constructing arguments that weigh competing ethical considerations for each issue
💡Refer back to the core definitions of good, bad, right, and wrong within each theory when applying them
💡Ensure you can clearly define cognitivism and non-cognitivism as the starting point for any meta-ethical essay
💡Use the set texts (Ayer, Mackie, Hare, Moore, Hume) to support your analysis
💡Practice applying meta-ethical theories to the applied ethics topics (stealing, simulated killing, eating animals, telling lies)
💡Be precise with terminology like 'mind-independent' and 'reductive'
💡Ensure you can clearly define the key terms for each theory (e.g., 'categorical imperative', 'Eudaimonia', 'utility').
💡When evaluating, focus on the specific issues listed in the specification (e.g., 'tyranny of the majority' for Utilitarianism).
💡Use the set texts to support your arguments.
💡Practice applying each theory to the applied ethics topics (stealing, simulated killing, eating animals, telling lies).

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Describing ethical theories in isolation without applying them to the specific issues
Failing to use meta-ethical concepts to deepen the analysis of the applied issues
Confusing the different normative theories (e.g., misapplying Kantian duty to Utilitarian utility calculations)
Lack of critical evaluation of the theories themselves when applied to the case studies
Confusing meta-ethical theories with normative ethical theories
Failing to distinguish between cognitivist and non-cognitivist positions
Misapplying Hume's is-ought gap to normative arguments rather than meta-ethical ones
Confusing moral naturalism with moral non-naturalism
Confusing act and rule utilitarianism.
Misinterpreting Kant's categorical imperative as a hypothetical imperative.
Failing to distinguish between quantitative and qualitative hedonism in Utilitarianism.
Overlooking the role of habituation and practical wisdom in Virtue Ethics.
Applying theories to moral issues without referencing the core normative principles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Apply

Evaluate

Discuss

Compare

To what extent

Explain

Outline

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Moral philosophy

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA A-Level Philosophy

Metaphysics of God

Metaphysics of mind

E2E stub topic

Metaphysics of mind

Moral philosophy

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between act and rule utilitarianism?

How do you apply the categorical imperative to a moral dilemma?

What is the doctrine of the mean in virtue ethics?

What is the is-ought gap and why is it important?

How do I structure an essay on moral philosophy for AQA A-Level?

What are the main criticisms of virtue ethics?

Key Terminology

Normative Application

Sanctity vs. Quality of Life

Moral Status and Personhood

Cognitivism vs. Non-cognitivism

Moral Realism vs. Anti-realism

Ethical Naturalism vs. Non-naturalism

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA A-Level Philosophy

Metaphysics of God

Metaphysics of mind

E2E stub topic

Metaphysics of mind