Content and Exam Tips for OCR A Level Religious Studies
2. Normative Ethical Theories
Two normative ethical theories: one deontological, one teleological.
The Categorical Imperative
Content
Kantian ethics, including:
duty
the hypothetical imperative o the categorical imperative and its three formulations
the three postulates
Key Knowledge
origins of the concept of duty (acting morally according to the good regardless of consequences) in deontological and absolutist approaches to ethics
what it is (a command to act to achieve a desired result) and why it is not the imperative of morality
what it is (a command to act that is good in itself regardless of consequences) and why it is the imperative of morality based on:
Formula of the law of nature (whereby a maxim can be established as a universal law)
Formula of the end in itself (whereby people are treated as ends in themselves and not means to an end)
Formula of the kingdom of ends (whereby a society of rationality is established in which people treat each other as ends and not means)
what they are and why in obeying a moral command they are being accepted:
Freedom
Immortality
God
Hedonic Calculus
Content
Utilitarianism, including:
utility
he hedonic calculus
act utilitarianism
rule utilitarianism
Key Knowledge
the use of the significant concept of utility (seeking the greatest balance of good over evil, or pleasure over pain) in teleological and relativist approaches to ethics
what it is (calculating the benefit or harm of an act through its consequences) and its use as a measure of individual pleasure
what it is (calculating the consequences of each situation on its own merits) and its use in promoting the greatest amount of good over evil, or pleasure over pain
what it is (following accepted laws that lead to the greatest overall balance of good over evil, or pleasure over pain) and its use in promoting the common good