Exam practice
There are various types of questions you may get asked:
- You may get asked to explain Kant's theory, or an aspect of it.
- You may be required to evaluate the theory or compare it to another theory.
- You may be asked to apply Kant's theory to one of the issues studied.
Have a look at 'Evaluating the Theories' and TICKETs (pdfs), as well as each of the ethical theories on War (AS) and the Environment (A2).
The exams changed from 2009 (AS) and 2010 (A2).
This question was from June 2009 :
- Explain the strengths of Kant's theory of ethics. [25]
- 'Kant's theory of ethics is not a useful approach to abortion.' Discuss. [10]
This question was from the January 2009 AS Ethics paper:
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Explain, with examples, Kant’s theory of the Categorical Imperative.
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‘Kant’s theory has no serious weaknesses.’ Discuss.
This question was from the OCR Website :
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Explain Kant’s theory of duty.
- To what extent is Kant’s ethical theory a good approach to human embryo research?
The following are actual exam questions written by OCR:
(a) Explain what Kant meant by ‘the Categorical Imperative’. [33]
(b) Assess critically Kant’s claims about the Categorical Imperative. [17]
(taken from the OCR website)
(a) 'People should always do their duty.' Explain how Kant understood this concept. [33]
(b) 'The use of the Categorical Imperative makes no room for compassionate treatment of women who want abortions.' Discuss. [17]
(taken from the OCR website - mark scheme included there)
The first time you answer an exam question, have your notes in front of you and take your time. Later, do it without notes there. Finally, try writing timed essays - each one (a and b) should take half an hour.
Here's part of a question to have a go at. Try it first, then click on it to see a sample answer:
Evaluate the argument that Kant’s moral theory could not support the idea of voluntary euthanasia.
We now have an interactive diagram showing how to answer an ethics exam question, The 'structure' of the paragraph will be different for 'ethical theory' questions, but the basic principles are the same. Try filling it in yourself and print out the completed diagram.
