How do I revise Normative ethical theories for AQA A-Level?

Ensure clear distinction between the three normative theories studied

What exam tips are there for Normative ethical theories? (2)

Use specialist terminology accurately when discussing the theories

What exam tips are there for Normative ethical theories? (3)

Structure AO2 responses to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each theory in the context of the specific moral issues

What mistakes should I avoid in Normative ethical theories?

Confusing the core principles of deontological and teleological theories

What are common errors in Normative ethical theories exams? (2)

Failing to apply the specific theories (Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics, Virtue Ethics) to the required ethical issues

Normative ethical theories

AQA

A-Level

This topic covers the study of normative ethical theories, including deontological, teleological, and character-based approaches, their application to moral decision-making, and their specific application to issues of human and non-human life and death.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Normative ethical theories are the backbone of moral philosophy in AQA A-Level Religious Studies. These theories provide frameworks for determining right and wrong actions, focusing on the principles that should guide our moral decisions. The three main theories studied are Utilitarianism (Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill), Kantian deontology (Immanuel Kant), and Christian ethics (including Natural Law and Situation Ethics). Each offers a distinct approach: Utilitarianism judges actions by their consequences, Kantian ethics focuses on duty and universal rules, and Christian ethics grounds morality in religious teachings and divine will.

Understanding these theories is crucial because they form the basis for evaluating moral dilemmas in applied ethics topics like abortion, euthanasia, and war. Students must not only know the key thinkers and their arguments but also be able to critically compare the theories, identifying strengths and weaknesses. This topic also connects to broader philosophical debates about the nature of morality, such as whether moral truths are objective or relative, and the role of reason versus emotion in ethical decision-making.

Mastering normative theories requires active engagement: practice applying each theory to real-world scenarios, memorise key quotes from philosophers, and be prepared to evaluate the theories against each other. The AQA exam often asks for a 'compare and contrast' approach, so building a comparative table of strengths and weaknesses is a highly effective revision strategy.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Understanding of deontological ethics (Natural Moral Law and the principle of double effect with reference to Aquinas; Proportionalism)
Understanding of teleological ethics (Situation Ethics with reference to Fletcher)
Understanding of character-based ethics (Virtue Ethics with reference to Aristotle)
Ability to compare differing approaches to moral decision-making
Application of these theories to theft and lying
Application of Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics, and Virtue Ethics to issues of human life and death (embryo research, cloning, designer babies, abortion, voluntary euthanasia, assisted suicide, capital punishment)
Application of Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics, and Virtue Ethics to issues of non-human life and death (use of animals as food, intensive farming, scientific procedures, cloning, blood sports, animals as a source of organs for transplants)
Evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of these ways of making moral decisions

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Understanding of deontological ethics (Natural Moral Law and the principle of double effect with reference to Aquinas; Proportionalism)
Understanding of teleological ethics (Situation Ethics with reference to Fletcher)
Understanding of character-based ethics (Virtue Ethics with reference to Aristotle)
Ability to compare differing approaches to moral decision-making
Application of these theories to theft and lying
Application of Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics, and Virtue Ethics to issues of human life and death (embryo research, cloning, designer babies, abortion, voluntary euthanasia, assisted suicide, capital punishment)
Application of Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics, and Virtue Ethics to issues of non-human life and death (use of animals as food, intensive farming, scientific procedures, cloning, blood sports, animals as a source of organs for transplants)
Evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of these ways of making moral decisions

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure clear distinction between the three normative theories studied
💡Use specialist terminology accurately when discussing the theories
💡Structure AO2 responses to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each theory in the context of the specific moral issues
💡Practice applying the theories to the specific list of human and non-human life and death issues provided in the specification

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing the core principles of deontological and teleological theories
Failing to apply the specific theories (Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics, Virtue Ethics) to the required ethical issues
Generalizing ethical arguments without referencing the specific scholars prescribed (Aquinas, Fletcher, Aristotle)
Neglecting the application of these theories to both human and non-human life and death issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Explain

Assess

Evaluate

Discuss

To what extent

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Normative ethical theories

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA A-Level Religious Studies

2A Buddhism

2B Christianity

2C Hinduism

2D Islam

Normative ethical theories

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 does Kant's categorical imperative work in practice?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Natural Law?

How do I compare Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics in an essay?

What is the role of agape in Situation Ethics?

How do I remember the key thinkers and their ideas for the exam?

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA A-Level Religious Studies

2A Buddhism

2B Christianity

2C Hinduism

2D Islam