Paper 1 — Philosophy of Religion

9 subject areas · 18 essays

Model answers organised by subject area, each annotated with mark-scheme commentary to show how AO1 and AO2 band targets are met.

Ancient Philosophical Influences

Discuss critically the philosophical views presented by Plato in his Analogy of the Cave.

'Aristotle is wrong to think worthwhile knowledge can be gained through sense experience.' Discuss.

Soul, Mind and Body

How convincing is Plato's view that the soul is distinct from the body?

'People are no more than complex physical matter.' Discuss.

Arguments Based on Observation

'Hume presents insurmountable challenges to a posteriori arguments for the existence of God.' Discuss.

Discuss critically the view that the existence of God is the best explanation for the existence of the universe.

Arguments Based on Reason

'The ontological argument fails because it rests on a logical fallacy.' Discuss.

How persuasive are ontological arguments for the existence of God?

Religious Experience

'Conversion experiences present powerful evidence for the existence of God.' Discuss.

How convincing are William James' conclusions about religious experience?

Problem of Evil

How convincing is the claim that it is necessary for there to be evil in the world if we are to have genuine free will?

'Irenaeus' theodicy gives a more satisfactory response to the problem of evil than Augustine's theodicy.' Discuss.

Nature and Attributes of God

How fair is the claim that an omnipotent God should be able to do absolutely anything, even the logically impossible?

Discuss critically issues arising from the belief that God is omniscient.

Religious Language: Negative, Analogical or Symbolic

How effective is analogy in communicating religious ideas and beliefs?

'Symbol is too often misleading for it to be useful in religious language.' Discuss.

Religious Language: Modern Perspectives

To what extent can Wittgenstein's theory of language games help to resolve the issues raised by religious language?

'A non-cognitive approach to religious language provides valuable insights into the interpretation of religious texts.' Discuss.