β Scotland Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies
Scotland Β· SQASyllabus
Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the Scotland Religious, Moral & Philosophical 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.
Component 2: Morality and Belief
Module overview β- How do religious and non-religious people respond to crime and punishment, and is the death penalty ever right?Religious and non-religious responses to crime and punishment, including sources of moral authority, and the arguments for and against capital punishment (the death penalty).10 min answer β
- What counts as a crime, how does it differ from sin or immorality, and why do people commit crime?The nature of crime, the difference between crime, sin and immorality, and the causes of crime, including poverty, upbringing, addiction, mental health and greed.9 min answer β
- Why does society punish people who break the law, and what is each aim of punishment trying to achieve?The purposes of punishment, including protection, retribution, deterrence and reformation, and how religious and non-religious views weigh these aims.9 min answer β
Component 3: Religious and Philosophical Questions
Module overview β- Is a human being more than a body, and is there any life after death?The existence of the soul and life after death, including beliefs about the soul, religious beliefs about the afterlife such as resurrection and reincarnation, evidence such as near-death experiences, and non-religious responses.10 min answer β
- Where did the universe come from, and do its origins point to the existence of God?The origins of the universe and the existence of God, including the cosmological and design arguments, the Big Bang and evolution, the Genesis accounts, and religious and non-religious responses.10 min answer β
- If God is all-powerful and all-loving, why is there so much suffering and evil in the world?The problem of suffering and evil, including the distinction between moral and natural evil, the challenge it poses to belief in God, and religious responses such as free will and soul-making, and non-religious responses.10 min answer β
Component 1: World Religion
Module overview β- What do Christians believe a human being is, and why is the human situation seen as a problem to be solved?Christian beliefs about human nature, including being created in the image of God, the soul, free will, and sin and the Fall, and beliefs about the human condition, including the problem of suffering and separation from God.9 min answer β
- What do Christians believe is the ultimate point of human life and what happens at the end of it?The goal of human existence in Christianity, including salvation, eternal life and heaven, restored relationship with God, and the Kingdom of God.9 min answer β
- How do Christians believe a person reaches salvation and eternal life with God?The means of reaching the goal in Christianity, including the death and resurrection of Jesus (atonement), grace, faith, repentance, prayer and worship, the sacraments, and following the teaching and example of Jesus.9 min answer β