Philosophy, Ethics and Religion (PER)

To study this subject at A-level, you will be a person who is interested in and thinks deeply about the fundamental questions people ask about life. For example, why are we here? How should we live our lives? What happens to us when we die?

You will have a keen interest in moral and ethical issues such as abortion, euthanasia, environmental and business ethics, and how these issues affect people in their everyday lives and how we should make moral decisions.

Many other subjects go well with Philosophy and Ethics: for example English, history, psychology and politics. It can also be a useful complement to science subjects particularly for those thinking of following a career in medicine.

You will want to develop your abilities in critical thinking and skills in argument and analysis, as well as consider a variety of opinions and views about such fundamental questions.

It would be helpful if you have done GCSE Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics and have achieved a good grade, however it is not an essential requirement of the course. You do not have to be religious to succeed in this subject, but you need to have a critical mind and a love of discussion.

What will you study and learn?

In PER you will be introduced to philosophy, ethics and Christianity as explored by some of the great thinkers of our time. You will learn some of the basic concepts and information that you will need as you progress through the course and you will begin to develop skills in argument and analysis. We will use set texts but also refer to video and news information as it relates to these issues.

Course content and examinations: you will study OCR Religious Studies, which is a  two year linear A-level assessed by three two hour examinations at the end.

The course is divided into three sections; Philosophy of Religion, Religious Ethics and Developments in Christian thought. Within these topics you will look at the following:

Philosophy of Religion

• Ancient philosophical influences Mind body and soul
• Arguments for the existence of God based on observation
• Arguments for the existence of God based on reason
• Religious experience Problem of evil
• The nature of attributes of God
• Religious language: Negative, Analogical or Symbolic
• Religious Language: Twentieth Century Perspectives

Religious Ethics

• Natural Law Situation Ethics Utilitarianism
• Ethical Language: Meta-ethics Conscience
• Sexual Ethics
• Categorical Imperative Euthanasia
• Business ethics

Developments in Christian thought

• Augustine’s teaching on human nature Death and the afterlife
• Knowledge of God
• The person of Jesus Christ Christian moral principles Christian moral actions
• Religious pluralism and theology Religious pluralism and society Gender and society
• Gender and theology
• The challenge of secularism Liberation theology and Marx

There will be 3 papers in Year 12 for AS-level. Each will be 1 hour 15 minutes and will make up 50% of the final A-level grade. In Year 13, the three papers will be 2 hours each. There is no coursework for religious studies.

Where could the subject take you?

 Philosophy and Ethics in Religious Studies is a highly respected qualification. This could lead to multiple higher education opportunities.