← Philosophy syllabus

ScotlandPhilosophy

Moral Philosophy

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you apply utilitarianism and Kantian ethics to a moral issue, and how do you evaluate and compare them?

Applying and evaluating moral theories: using utilitarianism and Kantian ethics to reason about a moral issue, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each, and reaching a comparative judgement on which better answers how we should act.
How to apply utilitarianism and Kantian ethics to a moral issue and evaluate them in SQA Higher Philosophy: the strengths and weaknesses of each theory, how they handle hard cases, and a comparative judgement on how we should act.
12 min answer →

How does Kant ground morality in duty and reason, and what does the categorical imperative require?

Kantian deontology: the good will and duty, the distinction between categorical and hypothetical imperatives, the formula of universal law and the formula of humanity (ends in themselves), and the main objections to a duty-based ethic.
How Kant grounds morality in duty and reason: the good will, categorical versus hypothetical imperatives, the formula of universal law and the formula of humanity, and the main objections to this non-consequentialist theory.
12 min answer →

What makes a decision a moral one, and what key concepts and distinctions does moral philosophy use?

The nature of moral decisions: distinguishing moral from non-moral decisions, the key concepts of moral philosophy (right and wrong, good, duty, consequences, intention), and central distinctions such as normative versus descriptive and consequentialist versus non-consequentialist.
How SQA Higher Philosophy frames moral decisions: the difference between moral and non-moral decisions, the key moral concepts (right, wrong, good, duty, consequences, intention), and core distinctions like normative versus descriptive and consequentialist versus non-consequentialist.
11 min answer →

How does utilitarianism decide what is right by maximising happiness, and how do Bentham and Mill differ?

Utilitarianism: the greatest happiness principle, Bentham's act utilitarianism and the hedonic calculus, Mill's development with higher and lower pleasures and rule utilitarianism, and the main objections to a consequentialist ethic.
How utilitarianism judges right and wrong by happiness: Bentham's greatest happiness principle and hedonic calculus, Mill's higher and lower pleasures and rule utilitarianism, and the key objections to this consequentialist theory.
12 min answer →