Charlotte Logan
2016 Old Specification A Level Paper Questions 2,3 and 5
Explain how an act utilitarian would make a moral decision
(5 Marks)
Act utilitarianism is the theory that only happiness is good, and the right act is that act that
maximises happiness. Hedonist act utilitarianism understands happiness in terms of the balance of
pleasure over pain. An act utilitarian would only be bothered by the consequences of an action
rather than the action itself. The right action is the one that leads to more utility than the other
available actions. As a result, an act utilitarian would choose the action that creates that largest net
value of utility. To aid with choosing which action creates the most happiness, the utilitarian could
use the Felicific Calculus which calculates pleasures and pains caused by an action and adding them
up on a single scale. The total amount of happiness produced is the sum total of everyone’s
pleasures minus the sum total of everyone’s pains.
Outline Aristotle’s function argument
(5 Marks)
The function argument is used to show that eudaimonia is only achieved through exercising our
reason. A function (ergon) is the characteristic activity of a thing (a bottle opener has the function of
easily opening a bottle). The function sets something apart from other things. The aim of the
function argument is to show that humans have a particular function. Being alive or perceiving
cannot be the function of humans as these traits are shared with other living beings and so are not
distinct to humans. Being guided by reason is a distinctive function for human life therefore, the
function of a human is to be guided by reason. A good human is a good human if they carry out their
function well subsequently, a human lives life well when they are guided by reason. This all allows us
to reach eudaimonia which is the final end for humans and is understood as “living well and faring
well”. To fulfil these functions and reach eudaimonia we need characteristics like virtue (arête).
Is Kant’s deontological approach to ethics correct?
(25 Marks)
Hand written under timed conditions.
2016 Old Specification A Level Paper Questions 2,3 and 5
Explain how an act utilitarian would make a moral decision
(5 Marks)
Act utilitarianism is the theory that only happiness is good, and the right act is that act that
maximises happiness. Hedonist act utilitarianism understands happiness in terms of the balance of
pleasure over pain. An act utilitarian would only be bothered by the consequences of an action
rather than the action itself. The right action is the one that leads to more utility than the other
available actions. As a result, an act utilitarian would choose the action that creates that largest net
value of utility. To aid with choosing which action creates the most happiness, the utilitarian could
use the Felicific Calculus which calculates pleasures and pains caused by an action and adding them
up on a single scale. The total amount of happiness produced is the sum total of everyone’s
pleasures minus the sum total of everyone’s pains.
Outline Aristotle’s function argument
(5 Marks)
The function argument is used to show that eudaimonia is only achieved through exercising our
reason. A function (ergon) is the characteristic activity of a thing (a bottle opener has the function of
easily opening a bottle). The function sets something apart from other things. The aim of the
function argument is to show that humans have a particular function. Being alive or perceiving
cannot be the function of humans as these traits are shared with other living beings and so are not
distinct to humans. Being guided by reason is a distinctive function for human life therefore, the
function of a human is to be guided by reason. A good human is a good human if they carry out their
function well subsequently, a human lives life well when they are guided by reason. This all allows us
to reach eudaimonia which is the final end for humans and is understood as “living well and faring
well”. To fulfil these functions and reach eudaimonia we need characteristics like virtue (arête).
Is Kant’s deontological approach to ethics correct?
(25 Marks)
Hand written under timed conditions.
