Paley’s teleological argument proves the existence of God. Discuss. (30)
Past-question bank
Past questions by topic
Filter 158 reviewed questions across Philosophy, Ethics and Christian Thought. Twenty ambiguous source entries are withheld until their wording can be checked.
Showing 158 questions
Anselm’s ontological argument provides a convincing basis for belief in God. Discuss.
Critically assess Augustine’s interpretation of Genesis 3. Discuss.
Evaluate the claim that Christianity should play no part in public life. Discuss.
The conscience is best described as the superego. Discuss.
Ethical decisions about euthanasia should focus only on quality of life. Discuss.
Kant’s decision making does not account for feelings. Discuss. (30)
God may be known through the natural order of creation. Discuss. (30)
The intuitionist belief that ‘good’ is self-evident is valid. Discuss.
To what extent are the five primary precepts essential to natural law? Discuss. (30)
The concept of telos in natural law provides the strongest basis for ethical decision making. Discuss.
To what extent does Jesus’ authority come from his divinity? Discuss.
Critically assess Christian views about theological exclusivism. Discuss.
William James’ understanding of religious experience supports belief in God. Discuss. (30)
Individual religious experiences are best described as a union with a greater power. Discuss.
The theory of Falsification provides the greatest insight into religious language. Discuss.
The existence of consciousness can be explained only by material interactions. Discuss. (30)
To what extent can consciousness be explained by material interactions?
To what extent is utilitarianism the most useful ethical theory when considering business ethics? Discuss. (30)
Aristotle’s Prime Mover provides a convincing basis for belief in God. Discuss. (30)
Critically assess Plato’s analogy of the cave as an explanation of reality
To what extent is the cosmological argument a sufficient explanation for the existence of God?
Criticisms from Gaunilo and Immanuel Kant show that Anselm’s ontological argument fails. Discuss. (30)
Corporate social responsibility should be a priority over profit. Discuss. (30)
‘According to utilitarianism, a business should focus on profit-making and nothing else.’ Discuss.
Bonhoeffer’s teaching on Christian ethics as ‘costly grace’ is valid. Discuss. (30)
Assess the claim that love (agape) is sufficient as the only source of Christian ethics.
Critically discuss different Christian interpretations of what heaven is like.
Kantian ethics relies too heavily on reason. Discuss. (30)
To what extent is Kantian ethics only concerned with duty?
Critically assess liberation theology’s engagement with social issues.
‘In meta-ethics, the term “good” has an objective factual basis.’ Discuss.
‘The five primary precepts are the most important part of natural law.’ Discuss
The nature of God is best revealed through the person of Jesus Christ. Discuss. (30)
The universalist belief that all people will be saved is not supported. Discuss. (30)
The suffering experienced by humans provides sufficient evidence to conclude that God does not exist. Discuss. (30)
‘Examples of mystical experiences should be considered valid religious experiences.’ Discuss.
‘Aquinas successfully demonstrates that religious language should be understood in terms of analogy.’ Discuss.
The working principles are essential to situation ethics. Discuss. (30)
Plato’s understanding of Forms is a stronger basis for understanding reality than Aristotle’s understanding of form and matter. Discuss. (30)
Hume’s argument based on observation for the existence of God is not convincing. Discuss. (30)
Augustine’s teaching on original sin is correct. Discuss. (30)
Assess Augustine’s claim that only God’s grace can overcome human sin.
Christian moral principles must be based on the Bible. Discuss. (30)
The concept of purgatory makes more sense than the concept of hell. Discuss. (30)
Voluntary euthanasia is always acceptable. Discuss. (30)
Critically assess the importance of sanctity of life in decisions about euthanasia
‘Christians must challenge secular views of gender roles.’ Discuss.
Critically assess Marx’s teaching on alienation and exploitation.
The four tiers of law are essential for natural law. Discuss. (30)
‘Anonymous Christians can also receive salvation.’ Discuss.
‘Natural evil has no purpose.’ Discuss.
Religious experiences provide evidence for belief in God. Discuss. (30)
Critically assess the views of William James about religious experience.
Evaluate the verification principle.
Agape is unhelpful when making decisions about sexual ethics. Discuss. (30)
Evaluate the view that utilitarianism provides the best approach to sexual ethics
‘In situation ethics, moral decision-making is entirely individualistic and subjective.’ Discuss.
‘Descartes offers a coherent solution to the mind/soul and body problem.’ Discuss.
Critically evaluate Aristotle’s views on the Prime Mover.
Critically assess Aquinas’ Fifth Way.
Evaluate Bonhoeffer’s views on a Christian’s duty to the State.
Critically assess the claim that Christian ethics involves more than simply the concept of agape. Discuss. (30)
Critically compare the views of Aquinas and Freud on the conscience and its role in moral decision-making.
Evaluate the view that heaven is essential to a Christian understanding of the afterlife. Discuss. (30)
Quality of life is the only important factor in euthanasia. Discuss. (30)
‘The religious concept of sanctity of life is not relevant with regard to euthanasia.’ Discuss.
Assess the view that Rosemary Radford Ruether’s theology offers a satisfactory solution to the issue of God and sexism in Christian thought.
Assess the view that good, bad, right and wrong are meaningless ethical terms.
The concept of primary precepts in natural law is unhelpful. Discuss. (30)
‘Jesus was not a political liberator.’ Discuss. (30)
‘Jesus was only a teacher of wisdom.’ Discuss.
‘Augustine’s theodicy justifies evils in the world.’ Discuss.
Critically discuss the nature of mystical experience.
‘Choices about sexual behaviour should only follow the approach of utilitarian ethics.’ Discuss.
Evaluate Descartes’ solution to the mind/soul and body problem.
Act utilitarianism is the most useful ethical theory. Discuss. (30)
Evaluate Gaunilo’s criticisms of the ontological argument
Critically assess Augustine’s teaching that original sin is the reason why humans lack free will.
Evaluate the view that Kantian ethics provides a more useful approach to whistle-blowing than utilitarianism.
Assess the view that Christians should obey moral commands from the Bible and nowhere else.
‘There is no evidence to support the claim that conscience exists.’ Discuss
‘Issues raised by euthanasia are best addressed by situation ethics.’ Discuss.
To what extent is a ‘preferential option for the poor’ fair?
Critically assess the view that natural law is of no help in making moral decisions.
‘Divine power is not limited.’ Discuss.
‘All religions lead to salvation.’ Discuss.
Evaluate Tillich’s approach to religious language.
To what extent does Plato’s view of the forms explain reality?
Evaluate Plato’s view on the hierarchy of the Forms, including the form of the Good.
Evaluate Aquinas’ cosmological argument for God’s existence
Paley’s teleological argument successfully defends the existence of God. Discuss
Discuss Augustine’s view that, without God’s grace, humans can never be morally good(30)
Assess the view that Bonhoeffer’s community at Finkenwalde is a useful example for Christian communities
The God of love would not elect a limited number of people to salvation. Discuss
Assess the view that non-voluntary euthanasia is morally unacceptable
Assess the view that Kantian ethics does not help with practical moral decision making
Examine the claim that human knowledge of God’s existence is innate
Good is best explained by emotivism. Discuss.
To what extent is natural law too reliant on telos in making moral decisions?
Augustine’s interpretation of the Fall successfully explains the problem of evil. Discuss
Conversions are not genuine examples of religious experience. Discuss
To what extent did Flew present a convincing approach to the understanding of religious language in the falsification symposium?
Situation ethics provides the best approach to sexual ethics. Discuss
The strengths of Situation Ethics outweigh its weaknesses. Discuss.
Analyse Aristotle’s four causes.
‘Good business decisions are always good ethical decisions.’ Discuss.
Assess the view that Bonhoeffer’s theology puts too much emphasis on suffering
To what extent is Freud’s psychological approach to conscience the most helpful approach?
Discuss the view that the idea of purgatory makes more sense than hell.
‘For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is head of the church.’ (Ephesians 5:23) Critically assess this teaching for 21st century family life.
To what extent is Kantian ethics too reliant on reason in moral decision-making?
‘Humans have an innate knowledge of God.’ Discuss.
‘The terms good, bad, right and wrong reflect only what is in the mind of the person using them.’ Discuss
‘Inter-faith dialogue strengthens Christian communities.’ Discuss.
Critically discuss the theodicy of Augustine.
Critically compare the logical and evidential aspects of the problem of evil as challenges to belief.
How successfully does the language games concept make sense of religious language?
‘Natural Law provides the best approach to sexual ethics.’ Discuss
Assess the view that the approach taken by Fletcher’s situation ethics makes moral decision-making entirely individualistic and subjective
To what extent does Plato successfully explain the relationship between the body and the soul?
Critically discuss Aristotle’s understanding of reality.
To what extent does Hume successfully argue that observation does not prove the existence of God?
To what extent does Kant successfully criticise the ontological argument?
Critically assess the significance of Augustine’s teaching on human relationships before the Fall. (30)
‘Kantian ethics provides the best approach to Business Ethics.’ Discuss
‘Secularism does not pose a threat to Christianity.’ Discuss
‘Bonhoeffer’s theology is still relevant today.’ Discuss
‘The most important source for Christian ethics is Church teaching.’ Discuss. (30)
Evaluate Aquinas’ theological approach to conscience.
‘Voluntary euthanasia is always morally acceptable.’ Discuss. (30)
Assess the view that natural law is of no help with regard to the issue of euthanasia.
Assess the view that Mary Daly’s theology proves that Christianity is sexist.
To what extent is faith the only means of knowing God (30)
‘”Good” is meaningful.’ Discuss
Assess Boethius’ view that divine eternity does not limit human free will.
To what extent was Jesus merely a political leader
Conversion experiences do not provide a basis for belief in God.’ Discuss.
‘The best approach to understanding religious language is through the cataphatic way.’ Discuss
‘The concept of agape gives no help at all in moral decision-making.’ Discuss. (30)
Critically assess the view that utilitarianism provides a helpful way to make moral decisions. (30)
To what extent does Aquinas’ cosmological argument successfully reach the conclusion that there is a transcendent creator? (30)
To what extent was Dietrich Bonhoeffer justified in his teaching on civil disobedience?
‘Kantian ethics is too abstract to be useful in practical moral decision-making.’ Discuss. (30)
To what extent does natural law provide a helpful method of moral decision-making? (30)
Critically assess the view that in Christian teaching all people will be saved.
Assess the claim that natural evil has a purpose (30)
‘There is no such thing as a soul.’ Discuss. (30)
Assess the view that utilitarianism provides the best approach to business ethics
Secularists who say that Christianity is a source of unhappiness are wrong. Discuss.
Conscience is just the super-ego. Discuss.
Hell is an idea not a place. Discuss.
Assess the view that situation ethics is of no help with regard to the issue of euthanasia
Assess whether Christianity and feminism are compatible.
Christianity is not the only means to salvation. Discuss.
Religious experience shows that we can be united with something greater than ourselves. Discuss.
Critically compare the via negativa with symbolic language as ways of expressing religious beliefs in words.
Evaluate the view that the thinking mind is separate from the body