How do I revise E2E stub topic for Pearson A-Level?

Always structure essays with a clear introduction, logically sequenced paragraphs, and a substantiated conclusion.

What exam tips are there for E2E stub topic? (2)

Use scholarly quotations judiciously to support analysis, not as a substitute for explanation.

What exam tips are there for E2E stub topic? (3)

For top marks, go beyond description by consistently evaluating arguments—offer both strengths and criticisms before reaching a justified verdict.

What mistakes should I avoid in E2E stub topic?

Conflating the teleological argument with the anthropic principle without differentiation.

What are common errors in E2E stub topic exams? (2)

Misrepresenting the ontological argument as requiring empirical evidence.

E2E stub topic

PEARSON

A-Level

This subtopic examines the central philosophical arguments for the existence of God within the Philosophy of Religion component, focusing on classical and contemporary formulations. Students engage critically with ontological, cosmological, teleological, and moral arguments, evaluating their logical coherence and reliance on a posteriori or a priori reasoning. The practical application lies in developing rigorous analytical skills, weighing evidence, and constructing balanced evaluative responses for high-stakes assessment.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for accurately stating Anselm’s definition of God and explaining the reductio ad absurdum form.
Credit identification of the premise that existence in reality is greater than existence in the understanding alone.
Expect candidates to contrast necessary and contingent beings when discussing cosmological arguments.
Look for precise reference to Paley’s watchmaker analogy and its intended conclusion.
Reward nuanced handling of Hume’s objections, including the problem of evil, alternative explanations, and the limitation of analogy.
Give credit for engaging with contemporary scholarship, such as Swinburne’s inductive arguments or Lane Craig’s Kalam defense.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for accurately stating Anselm’s definition of God and explaining the reductio ad absurdum form.
Credit identification of the premise that existence in reality is greater than existence in the understanding alone.
Expect candidates to contrast necessary and contingent beings when discussing cosmological arguments.
Look for precise reference to Paley’s watchmaker analogy and its intended conclusion.
Reward nuanced handling of Hume’s objections, including the problem of evil, alternative explanations, and the limitation of analogy.
Give credit for engaging with contemporary scholarship, such as Swinburne’s inductive arguments or Lane Craig’s Kalam defense.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Always structure essays with a clear introduction, logically sequenced paragraphs, and a substantiated conclusion.
💡Use scholarly quotations judiciously to support analysis, not as a substitute for explanation.
💡For top marks, go beyond description by consistently evaluating arguments—offer both strengths and criticisms before reaching a justified verdict.
💡Engage explicitly with the wording of the question, adapting pre-learned material to the specific demands of the prompt.
💡Practice timed essay plans to ensure you can deploy precise philosophical terminology under exam conditions.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Conflating the teleological argument with the anthropic principle without differentiation.
Misrepresenting the ontological argument as requiring empirical evidence.
Assuming that Darwinian evolution completely refutes all forms of design argument without addressing fine-tuning.
Treating the arguments in isolation rather than recognising their interdependence in cumulative case presentations.
Using vague language such as ‘proves God exists’ rather than evaluating probability or coherence.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

A priori and a posteriori arguments

Logical structure of the ontological argument

Cosmological causation and contingency

Teleological design and analogy

Problem of evil as a counter-argument

Faith and reason interplay

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic