WJEC/Eduqas RS for A2/Yr2: Religion and Ethics (DRAFT)

WJEC / Eduqas Religious Studies for A Level Year 2 and A2 Religion and Ethics

that ethical debate is pointless appears ‘to be throwing the baby out with the bathwater’.

Key questions Is it really true that the only meaningful discussion one can have is about facts rather than values? Does Intuitionism with its insistence on morality as a ‘given’ really discourage any ethical discussion? If the social sciences can inform our ethical choices, doesn’t this mean that ethics is not objective and absolute? Is it not possible to speak of measurements of pain and pleasure in terms of the results of moral decisions? Does Emotivism really end all discussion since it reduces morality to emotional expression?

Key quote In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place. (Gandhi) Study tip It is vital for AO2 that you actually discuss arguments and not just explain what someone may have stated. Try to ask yourself, ‘was this a fair point to make?’, ‘is the evidence sound enough?’, ‘is there anything to challenge this argument?’, ‘is this a strong or weak argument?’ Such critical analysis will help you develop your evaluation skills. One conclusion could be that meta-ethical approaches do encourage moral debate even though some of these encourage more debate than others. Another alternative conclusion could be that one of the meta-ethical approaches actually encourages debate: Emotivism rules it out, Intuitionism prevents any discussion on the source of morals, and in Naturalism there are only calculations and no real debate about morality. Finally, there could also be a conclusion that suggests there will always be debates regardless of these theories. Since these are ‘meta’ ethical approaches rather than normative ethical theories, their intention is not to focus on debating particular issues but outlining a general approach to ethics. We will still have to discuss particular moral decisions.

DRAFT

AO2 Activity List some conclusions that could be drawn from the AO2 reasoning from the above text; try to aim for at least three different possible conclusions. Consider each of the conclusions and collect brief evidence to support each conclusion from the AO1 and AO2 material for this topic. Select the conclusion that you think is most convincing and explain why it is so. Try to contrast this with the weakest conclusion in the list, justifying your argument with clear reasoning and evidence.

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