England · AQASyllabus
Religious Studies syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the England Religious Studiessyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
3.4 Study of religion and dialogues: Dialogues
Module overview →- How do ethical theories challenge, support and reshape the moral teaching of a studied religion?The dialogue between ethical studies and the studied religion, including how ethical theories relate to and challenge religious moral teaching and practice.10 min answer →
- How do the insights of philosophy of religion challenge, support and reshape the beliefs of a studied religion?The dialogue between philosophy of religion and the studied religion, including how philosophical arguments about God, evil and the afterlife relate to and challenge religious belief.10 min answer →
3.2 Philosophy of religion and ethics: Ethics and religion
Module overview →- Should the morality of an action be judged by the happiness it produces or by the duty behind it?Utilitarianism (Bentham and Mill) and Kantian deontological ethics, including the hedonic calculus, higher and lower pleasures, the categorical imperative and the good will.11 min answer →
- Is conscience the voice of God, the verdict of reason, or simply the product of our upbringing?The nature and role of conscience, including the religious views of Aquinas and Newman and the psychological views of Freud, and whether conscience is innate or learned.10 min answer →
- When we say something is 'good', are we describing a fact, expressing a feeling, or issuing a command?Meta-ethics: the meaning of ethical language, including naturalism, intuitionism (Moore's naturalistic fallacy), and non-cognitivist theories of emotivism (Ayer) and prescriptivism (Hare).10 min answer →
- If our choices are determined by causes beyond us, can we really be held morally responsible for what we do?Free will and moral responsibility, including hard determinism, libertarianism and compatibilism (soft determinism), and the religious idea of predestination.10 min answer →
- When deciding what is right, should we follow rules, calculate consequences or cultivate good character?The three main normative ethical theories: natural moral law (Aquinas), situation ethics (Fletcher) and virtue ethics (Aristotle), including their key principles and applications.11 min answer →
- How do rival ethical theories actually decide hard cases in stealing, lying, war and simulated killing?The application of ethical theories to issues of human life and death and non-human life and death, including theft, lying, deception, war and the use of computer-generated or virtual life.11 min answer →
3.1 Philosophy of religion and ethics: Philosophy of religion
Module overview →- Can the existence of God be proved by reason, by design in the world, or by definition alone?The ontological, cosmological and teleological (design) arguments for the existence of God, including the forms given by Anselm, Aquinas and Paley, and the main criticisms of each.10 min answer →
- If God is omnipotent and wholly good, why does evil and suffering exist in the world?The logical and evidential problems of evil, the distinction between moral and natural evil, and theodicies including the Augustinian (free will and the Fall) and Irenaean (soul-making) responses.10 min answer →
- Is it ever reasonable to believe that a miracle has occurred, or does the evidence always favour a natural explanation?The concept of miracle, including Hume's definition and critique, Aquinas's account, the contributions of Swinburne and Wiles, and the implications of miracles for the nature of God.10 min answer →
- Can a personal experience of God count as evidence for God's existence, or can it always be explained away?The nature and types of religious experience, including mystical and conversion experience, James's characteristics, Otto's numinous, Swinburne's principles of credulity and testimony, and naturalistic challenges.10 min answer →
- Can statements about God be meaningful, or is all talk of the transcendent literally nonsense?The problem of religious language, including the verification and falsification challenges, the via negativa, analogy (Aquinas), symbol (Tillich) and language games (Wittgenstein).10 min answer →
- Is a human being a soul that can survive death, or simply a body whose mind ends when the brain does?The body and soul distinction, dualism (Plato and Descartes) and materialism (Dawkins), and the possibility of disembodied existence, reincarnation, rebirth and resurrection.10 min answer →
3.3 Study of religion and dialogues: Christianity
Module overview →- How is Christian identity expressed and sustained through migration, social justice and the search for unity?Expressions of religious identity in Christianity, including the impact of migration and diaspora, responses to social and political issues, and the ecumenical movement.10 min answer →
- How does Christianity understand the nature of God and the relationship between God and the human person?The Christian understanding of the nature of God, including the Trinity, omnipotence, omniscience and benevolence, and Christian teaching on human nature, sin and grace.10 min answer →
- What does Christianity teach about death, judgement, heaven, hell and the resurrection of the body?Christian teaching on life after death, including resurrection, heaven, hell, purgatory, judgement, and the differences between literal and symbolic interpretations.10 min answer →
- How does Christianity engage with modern society on gender, secularisation, science and other faiths?The relationship between Christianity and society, including responses to secularisation, gender and feminism, religious pluralism, and the challenges of a multi-faith and scientific age.11 min answer →
- Where does Christian authority ultimately rest, in the Bible, the Church, tradition or personal conscience?Sources of wisdom and authority in Christianity, including the Bible, the role of tradition and the Church, and debates about how scripture should be interpreted.10 min answer →
- What is the Church, and how is the Christian community organised, governed and expressed in worship?The nature and purpose of the Christian Church as a community, its forms of worship and sacraments, its leadership and authority, and the diversity between Christian denominations.9 min answer →