First of all lets discuss the elephant in the room…that philosophy exam. A couple of big curve balls from OCR. This is the first time they have asked the same topic three years in a row. Not only that, the question on union is closely linked to last year’s question on mysticism (part of the definition of mysticism is union), it is also pretty much identical to a question asked in the AS 2023 exam. Now of course OCR can do this (they can do anything they want!) but when there are so many areas that have never been asked, I am so bored of seeing RE. Secondly, as far as I can tell, they have never asked a very similar question in the first and second year exam in the same year (in this case ‘materialism’). On the whole a harder paper, with tricky wording (all the wording is all on the spec though) and 4 topics that I would say are less popular with students. Onwards and upwards towards ethics.
As I say every year, this is the hardest exam to predict because there are many question variations (topics asked on their own or as application) and a significant number of areas have already been asked over the years. On this note, I must be clear that I do not share my predictions with you to be correct, I share them with you to give you an idea of what to expect or what to be prepared for. I make my predictions simply by looking at previous questions, recognizing the obvious gaps (using the spec) and making possible questions from here (trust me no secret magic trick, I would be a pretty poor magician if I only got 2 out of 4 tricks right each time). So here goes…
Specific questions could be:
- Euthanasia and/or Situation Ethics: You could get a specific question on Situation Ethics. E.g. the six propositions (or four working principles asked in 2024 in first year) or “Fletcher’s understanding of agape means nothing more than wanting the best for the person involved in a given situation.” Discuss. You could also get a specific question on Euthanasia. E.g. “There is a moral difference between medical intervention to end a patient’s life and medical non-intervention to end a patient’s life” Discuss or “Quality of life is the only important issue when making moral decisions about euthanasia.” Discuss (asked in 2022 first year) Finally you might be asked an application question such as: Assess the view that situation ethics is of no help with regard to the issue of euthanasia. Situation ethics was not asked last year nor was euthanasia. There are also a number of areas of the spec for situation ethics that have never been asked. Don’t forget you could get a question on both SE and euthanasia in the same paper (and yes you can answer both if you want to).
- Utilitarianism: Never been asked in the second year (without business ethics/ sex), so any question on utility, hedonic calculus or act vs rule is possible. You might also get a question such as “The strengths of Bentham’s utilitarianism outweighs its weaknesses.” Discuss. Or “It is not possible to reach a moral decision based on the measure of pleasure.” Discuss. Most obvious choice…but is it too obvious? Don’t forget you could be asked a question that just wants you to discuss the normative theory and not apply it to an ethical situation (in this case business).
- Sex Ethics: Specifically on premarital sex, extramarital sex or homosexuality e.g. “No theory is useful when dealing with issues surrounding homosexuality.” Discuss. Or specific to Kant e.g. ‘To what extent can issues surrounding sex ethics be judged as good, bad, right or wrong based on the extent to which duty is best served.’ You could also get a general question such as: To what extent do religious beliefs and practices have a continuing role in the area of sexual ethics. I would be extremely surprised if a sex ethics question is not asked this year. Examiners usually like at least two application questions and there are a lot of areas of sex ethics that have not been asked (e.g. Kant with Sex ethics or a specific issue).
- Conscience: General Q e.g. “Conscience is just an umbrella term for moral decision making based on culture and environment not God.” Or “Conscience is a result of guilt not the presence of God.” Discuss. Conscience has not been asked since 2022, this means they might asked a similar question to one that has been asked in the past (check out the video on YouTube of previously asked questions) or a new area of the spec similar to the questions I’ve written above.
- Business Ethics and/ or Utilitarianism: General Q on Business e.g. “Globalisation discourages the pursuit of good ethics as the foundation of good business.” Discuss. Or Business with Utilitarianism e.g. “Utilitarianism is not useful when making ethical decision regarding issues surrounding business ethics.” I think you may get a business question and a utilitarianism question. Utilitarianism and business have not been asked since 2019 – however I doubt they will ask for Utilitarianism and Utilitarianism with business 9but it is possible and yes you can answer both). I think the question will be a general business theme (probably not whistleblowing as this is the only theme that has been asked in 2021). It could be a business question that has been asked in the first year such as “good business decisions are always good ethical decisions”.
Other possibilities: Corporate Social Responsibility (asked in the first year exam 2024) or globalisation (Business Ethics). Also: Critically assess the view that people just know within themselves what is good, bad, right and wrong from a common-sense approach (linking to intuitionism – Meta Ethics).
Good luck to all of you! You have worked very hard, so this is your opportunity to show off! Don’t forget to join the live stream on Monday 16th June at 6.00 ( https://www.youtube.com/live/91XyqVwQuqM?si=JRWesAdrceUE4oMe) for last minute exam support.
*Note: I sometimes refer to the exams by the first and second year. This is because OCR still set a paper for students who wish to sit the exam in the first year of the course (formerly known as the AS year), however most colleges no longer do this. The second year refers to the full A level exam (sat by everyone who completes the course) covering all 32 units.
*Important Update* – in the AS exam they have asked 1. ‘The most useful approach to business ethics is provided by utilitarianism.’ Discuss. 2. Assess the view that Kantian ethics is of little help in moral decision making. 3.’The five primary precepts are the most helpful part of natural law in moral decision making.’ Discuss. Going by the pattern in the philosophy exam, I am not discounting another question on business with Utilitarianism being asked in this exam too.
