Whose celebrating the Philosophy paper….We are!!! Really impressed with OCR’s first set of questions, not just because I successfully predicted the areas but because they were different from previous years (focusing on gaps in the spec rather than repeating similar questions i.e. RE), challenging enough that students could demonstrate all the hard work they have done and interesting for varied discussions. Still sad no NOG (I’m biased though as I LOVE this tropic) but we can all guess what my first predication next year will be (…goodbye John Hick bring in NOG!)

As always when it comes to ethics, it is notoriously hard 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. The question is…are OCR going to ask questions that focus on areas in the spec that have never been asked, a curve ball like last year with no direct application Q’s (maybe a year of ONLY application questions…the horror) or repeat similar questions that have already been asked? So here goes, if I was to write a paper these would be my choices…

Specific questions could be:

1. Euthanasia (with NL or Se) 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 might also be asked an application question such as: Assess the view that situation ethics is of no help with regard to the issue of euthanasia (last asked in second year 2021) or Assess the view that natural law is of no help with regard to the issue of euthanasia/moral decision making (last asked in the second year 2018).​ There are also a number of areas of the spec for situation ethics that have never been asked. Also, whilst euthanasia came up last year, it has been many years since they have asked an application question for euthanasia. 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).
2. Utilitarianism: Never been asked in the second year, so any question on utility, hedonic calculus or act vs rule are 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).
3. Business Ethics: Every Q asked in the second-year exam specifies either Kant or Util. So a specific Q just on business is likely. Looking at the first-year questions gives us some idea of what might be asked: The only purpose of business is to make a profit” Discuss (asked 2017) or ‘Good business decisions are always good ethical decisions.’ Discuss (asked 2019) or To what extent is corporate social responsibility more important than profit‑making for business? (asked 2024) Globalisation has never been asked in either exam.​
4. 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. Historically examiners usually ask at least two application questions and since there were no application last year, plus a lot of areas of sex ethics that have not been asked (e.g. Kant with Sex ethics or a specific issue) I think it is a strong contender.

Other possibilities (even though ​both topics came up last year, they may ask it again): ​

1. Euthanasia “Voluntary euthanasia should be recognised as always morally acceptable.” Discuss (asked in first year 2023) ​
2. Conscience: focusing on guilt or a broad question on conscience as an umbrella term.

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 8th June at 6.00 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 first year exam they have asked 1. ‘In decisions about euthanasia, the religious concept of sanctity of life is the only important issue.’ Discuss 2. Assess the view that in business, whistleblowing should never be allowed. 3. ‘Duty is the most important part of Kantian ethics.’ Discuss