Application of ethical theories to issues of importance: War and peace, and Sexual ethics — Edexcel A-Level Religious Studies Revision

    This topic covers the application of ethical theories to the issues of war and peace, and sexual ethics. It involves examining religious and secular perspe

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic covers the application of ethical theories to the issues of war and peace, and sexual ethics. It involves examining religious and secular perspectives on these issues, including the Just War Theory, pacifism, and diverse approaches to sexual relationships, marriage, and contraception.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

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

    EDEXCEL
    A-Level

    This topic covers the application of ethical theories to the issues of war and peace, and sexual ethics. It involves examining religious and secular perspectives on these issues, including the Just War Theory, pacifism, and diverse approaches to sexual relationships, marriage, and contraception.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    Topic Overview

    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.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Just War Theory: Criteria for a just war (jus ad bellum) and conduct within war (jus in bello), including legitimate authority, just cause, proportionality, and discrimination.
    • →Pacifism: Absolute rejection of war, often rooted in religious (e.g., Quaker) or philosophical (e.g., Tolstoy) beliefs; key distinction between absolute and contingent pacifism.
    • →Natural Law: Aquinas's primary precepts (e.g., preservation of life, reproduction) applied to sexual ethics; acts must be procreative and unitive within marriage.
    • →Situation Ethics: Fletcher's agape-based approach; the only absolute is love, so actions (e.g., premarital sex) are right if they produce the most loving outcome.
    • →Utilitarianism: Bentham's hedonic calculus and Mill's higher pleasures; war is justified if it maximises overall happiness, but nuclear weapons raise issues of total vs. average utility.

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Understanding of the contribution of at least one religion to issues of war and peace, including sacred texts.
    • Knowledge of Just War Theory principles: jus ad bellum, jus in bello, and jus post bellum.
    • Understanding of different forms of pacifism: absolute, relative/selective, and nuclear.
    • Ability to evaluate contemporary conflicts against Just War Theory.
    • Knowledge of religious and secular approaches to sexual ethics, including pre-marital sex, adultery, same-sex relationships, and contraception.
    • Ability to evaluate the relevance of religious teachings on sexual ethics in modern society.
    • Reference to the ideas of Augustine and Aquinas regarding war and peace.
    • Reference to the ideas of P Vardy and J Dominian regarding sexual ethics.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Understanding of the contribution of at least one religion to issues of war and peace, including sacred texts.
    • Knowledge of Just War Theory principles: jus ad bellum, jus in bello, and jus post bellum.
    • Understanding of different forms of pacifism: absolute, relative/selective, and nuclear.
    • Ability to evaluate contemporary conflicts against Just War Theory.
    • Knowledge of religious and secular approaches to sexual ethics, including pre-marital sex, adultery, same-sex relationships, and contraception.
    • Ability to evaluate the relevance of religious teachings on sexual ethics in modern society.
    • Reference to the ideas of Augustine and Aquinas regarding war and peace.
    • Reference to the ideas of P Vardy and J Dominian regarding sexual ethics.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Ensure you can explicitly link the ethical theories studied in Topic 2 (Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, Natural Moral Law) to the issues in Topic 3.
    • 💡Use the specific terminology for Just War Theory (jus ad bellum, jus in bello, jus post bellum).
    • 💡When discussing sexual ethics, ensure you address both religious and secular perspectives.
    • 💡Use the works of the named scholars (Augustine, Aquinas, Vardy, Dominian) to support your analysis.
    • 💡Practice evaluating the 'continuing relevance' of religious teachings in a modern, secular context.
    • 💡Always define the ethical theory before applying it to the issue. For example, start with 'Natural Law, based on Aristotle and Aquinas, holds that morality is derived from the purpose (telos) of human nature...' This shows the examiner you understand the theory's foundations.
    • 💡Use specific scholars and their views to strengthen your argument. For just war, reference Aquinas or Augustine; for Situation Ethics, quote Fletcher's 'The new morality'; for Utilitarianism, contrast Bentham and Mill on the quality of pleasure.
    • 💡Evaluate rather than describe. For each application, state a strength (e.g., 'Natural Law provides clear, objective guidance') and a weakness (e.g., 'but it fails to account for loving relationships without procreative potential'). This demonstrates critical thinking.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Failing to apply specific ethical theories (e.g., Utilitarianism, Natural Moral Law) to the issues of war and sexual ethics.
    • Confusing the different types of pacifism.
    • Generalizing religious views without acknowledging the diversity of approaches within a single religion.
    • Neglecting to evaluate the success or practicality of the theories discussed.
    • Failing to use the required scholars to support arguments.
    • Misconception: Natural Law is identical to Catholic teaching. Correction: While Aquinas's Natural Law heavily influences Catholic moral theology, it is a philosophical theory that can be argued independently of religious belief, based on reason and purpose.
    • Misconception: Situation Ethics always permits any action as long as it is loving. Correction: Fletcher insisted on agape (selfless, unconditional love) and that the most loving action may sometimes require sacrifice; it is not a license for selfish behaviour.
    • Misconception: Utilitarianism always supports war if it benefits the majority. Correction: Utilitarianism must consider long-term consequences, including suffering, economic costs, and psychological trauma; a proper calculation often reveals war's disutility.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Foundational knowledge of Natural Law (Aquinas), Situation Ethics (Fletcher), and Utilitarianism (Bentham, Mill) including their key principles and criticisms.
    • •Understanding of the nature of ethical language (e.g., absolutism vs. relativism) and how it influences moral decision-making.
    • •Familiarity with basic concepts in war ethics (e.g., realism, militarism) and sexual ethics (e.g., traditional vs. liberal views) from earlier study or general knowledge.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

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