Application of ethical theories to issues of importance: War and peace, and Sexual ethics

This topic explores how ethical theories—specifically Natural Law, Situation Ethics, and Utilitarianism—are applied to two controversial areas: war and peace, and sexual ethics. In the context of war and peace, you will examine the just war theory, pacifism, and the ethics of nuclear weapons, considering how each theory justifies or condemns military action. For sexual ethics, you will analyse premarital sex, contraception, and homosexuality through the lenses of these theories, engaging with both religious and secular perspectives.

Understanding these applications is crucial because they demonstrate how abstract ethical principles translate into real-world moral decisions. For Edexcel A-Level Religious Studies, this topic tests your ability to evaluate the coherence and practicality of ethical theories when faced with complex, emotionally charged issues. You will need to critically assess strengths and weaknesses, such as whether Natural Law's absolutism can accommodate modern sexual ethics or whether Situation Ethics' relativism provides a robust framework for just war.

This topic sits within the 'Ethics' component of the course, building on foundational knowledge of ethical theories. It requires you to synthesise arguments from philosophy, theology, and contemporary debates, preparing you for essay questions that demand balanced evaluation and application of scholarly views (e.g., Aquinas, Fletcher, Bentham). Mastery of this content will enable you to construct nuanced arguments that acknowledge both theoretical consistency and practical implications.