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AS and A Level: Philosophy

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620 AS and A Level Philosophy essays

Marked by Teachers essays 13

Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the design argument for the existence of God.

4 star(s)

4/5

I will assume that this essay is intended only to answer part i, since there is no clear distinction between different questions. The last bit of the essay…
- Essay length: 1731 words
- Submitted: 20/03/2012
- Marked by teacher: David Moss 31/03/2012
Theories of the resurrection of the body are logically coherent.

4 star(s)

4/5

This essay is clearly written and with confidence. It discusses three basic points, (anti-dualism, anti-Hick, and pro-bodily replication) which are developed quite accurately. The student attempts to present…
- Essay length: 1269 words
- Submitted: 13/06/2011
- Marked by teacher: David Moss 31/03/2012
Explain how moral decisions should be made according to: Act and Rule utilitarianism

3 star(s)

The following points would benefit this work: 1.Grammar and spelling need careful attention. Avoid writing in the first person for any academic work unless it clearly requests it. 2.…
- Essay length: 1272 words
- Submitted: 16/07/2012
- Marked by teacher: Molly Reynolds 07/12/1999
Defenders of situation ethics would argue that one of its key strengths is its flexibility; it allows for pragmatic decisions to be made where rule-based ethical systems follow their own absolute commandments.

3 star(s)

3/5

The essay lands a couple of good points in favour of situation ethics. Nevertheless, it is held back by the absence of a clear conclusion, and indeed, argument…
- Essay length: 486 words
- Submitted: 20/03/2012
- Marked by teacher: David Moss 31/03/2012
Evaluate the weaknesses of design arguments for the existence of God

3 star(s)

3/5

The essay makes a number of good points and makes a number of decent attempts to evaluate throughout. This is the key to getting marks for this…
- Essay length: 708 words
- Submitted: 20/03/2012
- Marked by teacher: David Moss 31/03/2012
The design argument is also known as the teleological argument. The argument looks at the idea of purpose and order within the universe to argue for the existence of God.

3 star(s)

3/5

This essay includes a good range of different thinkers and different points concerning the argument from design. Most of these are not developed in any detail though…
- Essay length: 1445 words
- Submitted: 13/03/2012
- Marked by teacher: David Moss 31/03/2012
Give an account of Kant's ethics

3 star(s)

3/5

The essay presents most of the key points concerning the nature of Kant's moral philosophy. A lack of clarity means that many of these statements are very confused…
- Essay length: 712 words
- Submitted: 13/03/2012
- Marked by teacher: David Moss 31/03/2012
Explain how Benthams version of Utilitarianism can be used to decide the best course of action

3 star(s)

3/5

This essay includes the basic points about Bentham's classical act utilitarianism. For this sort of "explain" question, not much further detail is required and so the evaluation of…
- Essay length: 916 words
- Submitted: 12/01/2012
- Marked by teacher: David Moss 31/03/2012
Give an account of Kants Ethical Theory

3 star(s)

3/5

The student includes a lot of descriptive points and shows a good familiarity with the terms involved in Kant's theory. These points typically get some of the gist…
- Essay length: 922 words
- Submitted: 12/04/2010
- Marked by teacher: David Moss 31/03/2012
Situation ethics

3 star(s)

3/5

This first essay is clearly expressed and, at first, gets the main points about situation ethics mostly correct. It is to be credited for showing knowledge of various…
- Essay length: 1538 words
- Submitted: 07/03/2010
- Marked by teacher: David Moss 31/03/2012

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Conclusion analysis

Good conclusions usually refer back to the question or title and address it directly - for example by using key words from the title.
How well do you think these conclusions address the title or question? Answering these questions should help you find out.

Do they use key words from the title or question?

Do they answer the question directly?

Can you work out the question or title just by reading the conclusion?

Religious responses to the verification principle have been largely unsuccessful. Evaluate this claim.

"To conclude, I think there are a few reasonable responses to the verification principle such as the falsification principle, as this does not limit God to our understanding but we can still talk about Him. Also the doctrine of analogy is a strong theory as we can compare one thing to another thing we are familiar with without properly describing the unfamiliar thing and this makes it easier for us to understand. However, symbols can often be misinterpreted and lead to confusion, as they don't say enough about God and religion for people to fully understand."

"The design argument is challenged far more by science than by philosophy." Discuss with specific reference to the work of Darwin and Hume.

"In conclusion, which is actually the bigger challenge science or philosophy? Darwin can't explain the goal of evolution so he doesn't get rid of the idea of the designer. So, in effect Darwin's theory can work in tandem with the Design argument. On the other hand, some say that Hume destroys the Design argument whereas others say that it is just there as evidence for people who already believe. However, should you need proof? All in all, science provides evidence against the argument whereas philosophy only provides ideas and arguments."

Compare and Contrast the Philisophical Contributions of Nietzsche and Mill to our understanding of political and social tyranny.

"Both have similar views on the topic of religion, arguing that no longer should one set of religious truths be imposed on a population. To move forward, to progress, is to explore the world through the exercise of human reason and critical enquiry. For Nietzsche, we must continually question everything, for there is no absolute truth. We have to find our own truth. We do this by being individual, and not following a herd. For Mill, we are rational thinkers, and bases his theory on this view - that we will come to sensible conclusions. Hence, both philosophers advocate maximising negative liberty as a necessary condition for human flourishing. With the freedom to be individual without the barriers or constraints of tyranny, we as a society and as individuals' progress and new ideas are formed. New values are made, replacing old ones. The Elitist vs. the Liberalist approach is where the two philosophers differ in attitudes. Taking into consideration a rejection of negative liberty, this could be used to pave the way for an alternative account. Hollie Mckechnie"

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AS and A Level: Philosophy

620 AS and A Level Philosophy essays

Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the design argument for the existence of God.

Theories of the resurrection of the body are logically coherent.

Explain how moral decisions should be made according to: Act and Rule utilitarianism

Defenders of situation ethics would argue that one of its key strengths is its flexibility; it allows for pragmatic decisions to be made where rule-based ethical systems follow their own absolute commandments.

Evaluate the weaknesses of design arguments for the existence of God

The design argument is also known as the teleological argument. The argument looks at the idea of purpose and order within the universe to argue for the existence of God.

Give an account of Kant's ethics

Explain how Benthams version of Utilitarianism can be used to decide the best course of action

Give an account of Kants Ethical Theory

Situation ethics

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