Which scholars do I need for WJEC Philosophy of Religion?

Key thinkers include Aquinas (cosmological and design arguments), Paley and Tennant (design), Anselm, Descartes, Gaunilo, Kant and Malcolm (ontological), Augustine and Hick (the problem of evil), James, Otto and Swinburne (religious experience), Hume and Swinburne (miracles), Ayer, Flew, Hare, Mitchell, Aquinas, Tillich and Wittgenstein (religious language), and Freud, Jung and Dawkins (atheism and psychology).

How is Philosophy of Religion assessed at WJEC A level?

It is assessed by extended-answer examination questions testing two objectives: AO1, accurate and detailed knowledge and understanding, and AO2, analysis and evaluation leading to a justified judgement. Questions typically ask you to examine an argument or position (AO1) or to evaluate a claim about it (AO2). Strong answers reach a clear, reasoned conclusion.

How should I revise WJEC Philosophy of Religion?

Work theme by theme: the three arguments for God, the problem of evil, religious experience, miracles, religious language and atheism. For each, learn the argument and its key scholars for AO1, and the main objections and replies for AO2. Practise reaching a clear judgement, and learn precise technical vocabulary, since accuracy of terms is heavily rewarded.

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Philosophy of Religion overview: how to study the WJEC A-Level Religious Studies component

Q: What is covered in the WJEC A-Level Religious Studies Philosophy of Religion component?

Philosophy of Religion covers the main arguments for the existence of God (the cosmological, teleological and ontological arguments), the problem of evil and theodicies, religious experience, miracles, the meaningfulness of religious language, and the challenges of atheism, the psychology of religion and secularism. It is studied across AS Unit 2 and A2 Unit 5 and is assessed by extended-answer examination.

A complete overview of the WJEC A-Level Religious Studies Philosophy of Religion component: the arguments for God (cosmological, teleological, ontological), the problem of evil, religious experience, miracles, religious language, and the challenges of atheism and secularism.

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What Philosophy of Religion tests
The themes
How to study Philosophy of Religion
Where this fits in the exam

This overview maps the WJEC A-Level Religious Studies Philosophy of Religion component, studied across AS Unit 2 and A2 Unit 5. It examines the classic arguments for and against the existence of God and the philosophical problems raised by religious belief.

What Philosophy of Religion tests

The component asks for accurate knowledge of philosophical arguments and the ability to analyse and evaluate them. The two assessment objectives are AO1 (accurate, detailed knowledge and understanding) and AO2 (analysis, evaluation and a justified judgement). The topic rewards precise technical vocabulary and clear, reasoned conclusions.

The themes

This module covers the examinable themes, each with its own page.

The cosmological argument. Aquinas' Ways, Kalam, and Hume and Russell.
The teleological (design) argument. Paley, Tennant, and Hume, Mill and Darwin.
The ontological argument. Anselm, Descartes, Gaunilo, Kant and Malcolm.
The problem of evil. The inconsistent triad and the Augustinian and Irenaean theodicies.
Religious experience. James, Otto, Swinburne, and naturalistic challenges.
Miracles. Aquinas, Hume, Holland, Swinburne and the responses.
Religious language. Verification, falsification, analogy, symbol and language games.
Atheism and secularism. The new atheists, Freud and Jung, and secular humanism.

How to study Philosophy of Religion

Learn each argument's structure. Be able to state the premises and conclusion clearly.
Attach scholars to positions. Name the thinker for each argument and objection.
Master the objections and replies. AO2 depends on weighing both sides.
Use precise vocabulary. Terms like contingency, predicate, theodicy and falsification carry marks.
Reach a judgement. Always conclude with a reasoned answer, not a summary.

Where this fits in the exam

Philosophy of Religion connects to the Study of Religion paper (the nature of God, creation) and the Religion and Ethics paper (free will, conscience). For the official specification, past papers and mark schemes, see wjec.co.uk, and always revise from the current specification because question style is board-specific.

Sources & how we know this

WJEC GCE AS/A level Religious Studies specification — WJEC (2016)