Philosophy of Religion

OCR Exam Questions up to 2015

AS

A2

AS
June 2015

June 2014

June 2013

January 2013

June 2012

January 2012

June 2011

January 2011

1(a) Explain what it means to say that 'God is good'. [25]

(b) 'To what extent are things only good because God commands them? [10]

2(a) Explain why some creationists do not believe in the Big Bang theory. [25]

(b) ‘Scientists are the only ones who can explain why the universe is here.’ Discuss. [10]

3(a) Explain the nature of the problem of evil. [25]

(b) 'Moral evil may be the fault of humanity but natural evil is God's fault.' Discuss. [10]

4(a) Explain what Kant means by 'Summum Bonum'. [25]

(b) 'The existence of morality is not evidence for the existence of God.' Discuss. [10]

AS
June 2010

1(a) Compare the concept of a Prime Mover with the idea of God as a craftsman. [25]

(b) 'Only Philosophers can explain creation.' Discuss. [10]

2(a) Explain Anselm's Ontological argument. [25]

(b) ‘It is pointless to deny the logical necessity of the existence of God.’ Discuss. [10]

3(a) Explain the concept of Irreducible Complexity. [25]

(b) ‘There is no evidence of Intelligent Design in the universe.' Discuss. [10]

4(a) Explain Freud's view that moral awareness comes from sources other than God. [25]

(b) 'God is the only explanation of moral awareness.' Discuss [10]

AS
January 2010

1(a) Explain the concept of ‘creatio ex nihilo’. [25]

(b) ‘Nothing comes from nothing.’ Discuss. [10]

2(a) Explain Darwinism and evolutionary theory. [25]

(b) ‘The universe is too complex for evolutionary theory to explain it.’ Discuss. [10]

3(a) Explain the concept of ‘Ideals’ in Plato’s writings. [25]

(b) ‘Ideals are an illusion; we can only experience what is real.’ Discuss. [10]

4(a) Explain Mill’s challenge to the Teleological argument. [25]

(b) Evaluate the claim that the universe has too many flaws for it to be designed. [10]

June 2009

1 (a) Explain Aquinas’ Cosmological Argument. [25]

(b) To what extent were Russell’s criticisms of the Cosmological Argument successful? [10]

2 (a) Explain Kant’s moral argument for the existence of God. [25]

(b) ‘Moral awareness has nothing to do with a god.’ Discuss. [10]

3 (a) Explain the Analogy of the Cave in Plato’s Republic. [25]

(b) ‘The Analogy of the Cave tells us nothing about reality.’ Discuss. [10]

4 (a) Explain the debate between Creationism and the Big Bang theory. [25]

(b) ‘The Big Bang theory is no more believable than Creationism.’ Discuss. [10]

January 2009

1 (a) Explain what Aristotle meant by final cause [25]

(b) To what extent does the concept of a final cause teach us anything about the real world? [10]

2 (a) Explain the Judaeo-Christian concept of God as law-giver and judge [25]

(b) 'God has no right to judge human beings.' Discuss [10]

3 (a) Explain the theodicy of Irenaeus. [25]

(b) 'The theodicy of Irenaeus cannot justify the existence of evil.' Discuss. [10]

4 (a) Explain how religious believrs respond to challenges posed to them by scientists. [25]

(b) 'Religious believers understand the world better than scientists.' Discuss. [10]

A2

June 2015

June 2014

June 2013

January 2013

June 2012

January 2012

June 2011

January 2011

1. To what extent can God reveal himself through sacred writings? [35]

2. Critically compare the use of myth and analogy to express human understanding of God. [35]

3. 'Resurrection is more likely to be true than reincarnation.' Discuss. [35]

4. Evaluate Hume's claim that miracles are the least likely of events. [35]

June 2010

1 Evaluate the claim that analogy can successfully be used to express the human understanding of God. [35]

2 'Boethius was successful in his argument that God rewards and punishes justly.' Discuss. [35]

3 Critically assess, with reference to William James, the arguments from religious experience. [35]

4 To what extent is belief in an afterlife necessary in resolving problems raised by the existence of evil? [35]

January 2010

1 Critically assess the philosophical problems raised by the belief that God is omniscient. [35]

2 'A belief in miracles leads to the concept of a God who favours some but not all of His creation.' Discuss. [35]

3 Evaluate the claim that there can be no disembodied existence after death. [35]

4 Critically asses the views of Paul Tillich on religious language. [35]

 

Archive:

AS Foundation

AS Philosophy of Religion 1

A2 Philosophy of Religion 2

A2 Connections paper

AS Foundation

January 2005

Either

1 (a) Explain Aristotle’s theory of the Four Causes. [33]

(b) ‘Aristotle’s theory of the Four Causes is convincing.’ Discuss. [17]

Or

2 (a) Explain what is meant in the Bible by the phrase ‘God is good’. [33]

(b) ‘It is difficult to believe in a God who is perfectly good.’ Discuss. [17]

June 2005

Either

1 (a) Explain Plato’s concept of the soul and its relationship to the body. [33]

(b) Compare Plato’s view of the soul with that of Aristotle. [17]

Or

2 (a) Explain what is meant in the Bible by describing God as a miracle worker. [33]

(b) ‘The presence of miracles in the Bible suggests that God is unreliable.’ Discuss. [17]

January 2006

Either

1 (a) Explain Plato’s concept of ‘Forms’. [33]

(b) ‘Plato’s concept of Forms is of little use in understanding the physical world.’ Discuss. [17]

Or

2 (a) Describe Aristotle’s teaching about the differences between the Final Cause and other sorts
of cause. [33]

(b) Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Aristotle’s ideas about cause. [17]

June 2006

Either

1 (a) How do the writers of the Bible attempt to explain the creation of the world? [33]

(b) ‘God created humanity for a purpose.’ Discuss. [17]

Or

2 (a) Explain Plato’s analogy of the cave. [33]

(b) Discuss Plato’s idea that most human beings can never really know the whole truth. [17]

January 2007

Either

1 (a) Explain what the writers of the Bible meant when they described God as ‘good’. [33]

(b) ‘A good God would not punish people.’ Discuss. [17]

Or

2 (a) Describe and explain some events in the Bible which are regarded as miracles. [33]

(b) ‘It is difficult to accept that miracles can happen.’ Discuss. [17]

June 2007

Either

1 (a) Explain the importance of the shadows in Plato’s analogy of the cave. [33]

(b) On what grounds might Plato’s understanding of human reason be criticised?
[17]

Or


2 (a) Explain Aristotle’s understanding of the soul. [33]

(b) Compare Aristotle’s understanding of the soul with that of Plato. [17]

AS Philosophy of Religion 1

January 2005

Part 1

Answer one question from this part.

1 (a) Explain why Hume and Russell reject the cosmological argument. [33]

(b) ‘God is the most likely explanation for the existence of the universe.’ Discuss. [17]

 

2 (a) Explain how Augustine accounts for the existence of evil. [33]

(b) ‘There is no problem of evil because evil does not exist.’ Discuss. [17]

 

3 (a) Explain Kant’s moral argument for the existence of God. [33]

(b) ‘Morality comes from people, not from God.’ Discuss. [17]

Part 2

Answer one question from this part.

4 (a) Explain Anselm’s ontological argument. [33]

(b) ‘God’s existence can never be proved by logic.’ Discuss. [17]

 

5 (a) Explain William James’ argument for the existence of God from religious experience. [33]

(b) ‘Religious experiences comes from fantasy, not God.’ Discuss. [17]

 

6 (a) Explain how sociologists account for the existence of religious belief. [33]

(b) ‘God is nothing more than society’s idea of itself.’ Discuss. [17]

June 2005

Part 1

Answer one question from this part.

1 (a) Explain Aquinas ’ cosmological argument. [33]

(b) ‘No convincing explanation for the existence of the universe has yet been found.’ Discuss. [17]


2 (a) Explain how Irenaeus accounts for the existence of evil. [33]

(b) ‘God is the cause of all evil.’ Discuss. [17]

 

3 (a) Explain Kant’s reasons for arguing that human morality points to the existence of God. [33]

(b) ‘Freud’s objections destroy Kant’s moral argument for the existence of God.’ Discuss. [17]

Part 2

Answer one question from this part.

4 (a) Explain Descartes ’ ontological argument. [33]

(b) ‘The ontological argument will only convince those who already believe in God.’ Discuss. [17]

 

5 (a) Explain Hume’s objections to teleological arguments. [33]

(b) ‘God is the most likely explanation for design in the universe.’ Discuss. [17]

 

6 (a) Explain how psychology accounts for the existence of religious belief. [33]

(b) ‘God is an invention of the mind.’ Discuss. [17]

 

January 2006

Part 1

Answer one question from this part.

1 (a) Explain Freud’s objections to the argument from religious experience. [33]

(b) ‘The best explanation of religious experience is that it comes from God.’ Discuss. [17]

 

2 (a) Explain Descartes ’ version of the ontological argument. [33]

(b) ‘The ontological argument is weak.’ Discuss. [17]

 

3 (a) Explain Aquinas’ first three ‘Ways’ of proving the existence of God. [33]

(b) ‘The universe obviously exists, so God must have created it.’ Discuss. [17]

 

Part 2

Answer one question from this part.

4 (a) Explain Aquinas’ teleological argument and Darwinist objections to it. [33]

(b) ‘Arguments from design must fail because they do not prove the existence of a God who is
all-powerful.’ Discuss. [17]

 

5 (a) Explain how Irenaeus accounts for the existence of both moral and natural evil. [33]

(b) ‘The greatest strength of Irenaeus’ explanation of evil is that it points to a loving God.’
Discuss. [17]

 

6 (a) Describe sociological explanations of belief in God. [33]

(b) ‘Sociology cannot explain God.’ Discuss. [17]

 

June 2006

Part 1

Answer one question from this part.

1 (a) Explain how teleological arguments attempt to prove the existence of God. [33]

(b) ‘Mill proved that teleological arguments cannot prove the existence of God.’ Discuss. [17]

 

2 (a) Explain how Kant’s understanding of morality leads him to assume the existence of God. [33]

(b) ‘Kant’s assumption that God exists is wrong.’ Discuss. [17]

 

3 (a) Explain William James’ argument that the nature of religious experience proves the existence of God. [33]

(b) ‘Religious experiences are nothing more than a product of the human mind.’ Discuss. [17]

 

Part 2

Answer one question from this part.

4 (a) Explain why Anselm’s ontological argument concludes that God has to exist. [33]

(b) ‘Anselm’s ontological argument is wrong.’ Discuss. [17]

 

5 (a) Explain how Irenaeus and Augustine account for the existence of moral evil. [33]

(b) ‘The sufferings of innocent people destroy any attempt to explain why God allows moral evil.’Discuss. [17]

 

6 (a) Explain psychological objections to religious belief. [33]

(b) ‘Psychological objections to religious belief are nonsense.’ Discuss. [17]

 

January 2007

Part 1

Answer one question from this part.

1 (a) Explain the challenges of Gaunilo and Kant to the ontological argument. [33]

(b) ‘The ontological argument is a convincing argument.’ Discuss. [17]

 

2 (a) Explain Durkheim’s and Weber’s understanding of the nature and role of religion in society.
[33]

(b) ‘Religion is only relevant if it has a role in society.’ Discuss. [17]

 

3 (a) Explain Hume’s challenge to Aquinas’ cosmological argument. [33]

(b) ‘The cosmological argument cannot prove God exists.’ Discuss. [17]

 

Part 2

Answer one question from this part.

4 (a) Explain Paley’s version of the teleological argument and Mill’s objections to it. [33]

(b) ‘Evolution leaves no room for a designer of the universe.’ Discuss. [17]

 

5 (a) Explain Freud’s challenge to Kant’s moral argument for the existence of God. [33]

(b) ‘Our sense of moral duty is learnt from our parents, and not from God.’ Discuss. [17]

 

6 (a) Explain Augustine’s response to the existence of natural evil. [33]

(b) ‘There is no problem of evil because God does not exist.’ Discuss. [17]

 

June 2007

Part 1

Answer one question from this part.

1 (a) Explain Copleston’s version of the cosmological argument. [33]

(b) ‘Copleston’s argument does not prove that God exists.’ Discuss. [17]

 

2 (a) Explain how Paley uses observations of a purposeful and ordered universe to prove the existence of God. [33]

(b) ‘Paley’s arguments are weaker than the criticisms of them.’ Discuss. [17]

 

3 (a) Explain how Augustine understands the role of human free will. [33]

(b) ‘The world was made perfect so God cannot be responsible for the existence of evil.’ Discuss. [17]

 

Part 2

Answer one question from this part.

4 (a) Explain Freud’s conclusions about the nature of religious belief. [33]

(b) ‘Psychological explanations present no real threat to belief in God.’ Discuss. [17]

 

5 (a) Explain how Descartes’ ontological argument claims that if you understand what God is then
you must accept that God exists. [33]

(b) To what extent is Kant’s view that ‘existence is not a perfection’ a valid criticism of the
ontological argument? [17]

 

6 (a) Explain psychological understandings of religion. [33]

(b) ‘Psychology does not present a challenge to religion.’ Discuss. [17]

 

A2 Philosophy of Religion 2

June 2005

Answer two questions.

1 ‘The concept of resurrection of the body is incoherent.’ Discuss.

2 ‘By definition, a miracle can never happen.’ Discuss.

3 ‘Philosophers have proved conclusively that religious language is meaningful.’ Discuss.

4 ‘God is most clearly revealed to humanity through scripture.’ Discuss.

June 2006

Answer two questions.

1 ‘The concept of disembodied existence is coherent.’ Discuss.

2 Assess the view that the different forms of religious experience are nothing more than fantasy.

3 ‘The falsification principle offers no real challenge to religious belief.’ Discuss.

4 ‘Scripture is the word of God.’ Discuss.

June 2007

Answer two questions.

1 ‘The concept of Hell makes no sense.’ Discuss.

2 ‘The best way to God is through religious experience.’ Discuss.

3 Assess the view that miracles are an obstacle to faith.

4 Consider whether symbol provides any clear understanding of God.

 

Connections: Route A/AX/AY – Philosophy of Religion with Religious Ethics

June 2005

Answer two questions.

1 To what extent can God be held responsible for moral evil?

2 ‘Religious language and ethical language are both about facts.’ Discuss.

3 ‘The only point in behaving morally is to be rewarded after death.’ Discuss.

 

June 2006

Answer two questions.

1 ‘Ethics are the product of society, not of religion.’ Discuss.

2 ‘Evil exists because humans have free will.’ Discuss.

3 ‘The fact that we have a conscience proves that God exists.’ Discuss.

 

June 2007

Answer two questions.

1 ‘Ethics come from the human mind; not from God.’ Discuss.

2 ‘Ethical language is no more meaningful than religious language.’ Discuss.

3 ‘God is omniscient so therefore we cannot have free will.’ Discuss.