MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL PHILOSOPHY – 7172/1 – JUNE
2023
AQA
A-level
PHILOSOPHY
7172/1
Paper 1 Epistemology and moral philosophy
Mark scheme
June 2023
2
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL PHILOSOPHY – 7172/1 – JUNE
2023
Level of response marking instructions
Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The
descriptor for the level shows the performance at the mid-point of the level. There are marks in each
level. For the 3 and 5 mark questions that have only 1 mark in each level you need only apply step 1
below.
To support you in your marking, you will have standardisation scripts. These have been marked by the
Lead Examiner at the correct standard. Generally, you will have a standardisation script to exemplify
the standard for each level of the mark scheme for a particular item.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as
instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.
Step 1 Determine a level
Start by reading the whole of the student’s response and then, using the mark scheme level descriptors
and the standardisation scripts, place the response in the level which it matches or best fits.
When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest.
Step 2 Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. Start with the middle mark of the level
and then look at the student’s response in comparison with the level descriptor and the standardisation
script. If the student’s response is better than the standardisation script, award a mark above the mid-
point of the level. If the student’s response is weaker than the standardisation script, award a mark
below the mid-point of the level.
For the 25 mark questions examiners should bear in mind the relative weightings of the assessment
objectives and be careful not to over/under credit a particular skill. This will be exemplified and
reinforced as part of examiner training.
Guidance
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other appropriate points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the Indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded zero marks.
3
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL PHILOSOPHY – 7172/1 – JUNE
2023
Section A – Epistemology
0 1 What is the difference between direct realism and indirect realism?
[3 marks]
AO1 = 3
Marks Levels of response mark scheme
3 A full and correct answer, given precisely, with little or no redundancy.
2 The substantive content of the answer is correct, but there may be some
redundancy or minor imprecision.
1 Relevant, but fragmented, points.
0 Nothing written worthy of credit.
Indicative content
According to direct realism, the immediate objects of perception are mind-independent objects and
their properties: ie we perceive mind-independent objects directly without any mediation (by
sense- data).
According to indirect realism, the immediate objects of perception are mind-dependent objects (sense-
data) that are caused by and represent mind-independent objects. For indirect realists, we perceive
mind-independent physical objects indirectly by directly perceiving (or being aware of) sense data,
which represent (or misrepresent) the mind-independent physical objects which cause our
perceptions. The sense-data thereby mediate the perception.
The difference between direct and indirect realism can therefore be expressed in terms of:
Epistemological difference: perceptual immediacy vs perceptual mediation/representation.
Ontological difference: the non-existence vs the existence of sense-data.
Examples for 3 marks
Some students may express explicitly the difference between direct realism and indirect realism
(example 1). However, students can still gain 3 marks if they do not express it explicitly but it is clear
from their response that they understand the difference through their explanations of both theories
(example 2). The importance is that they understand both theories so the difference may be implicit.
Example 1: ‘The difference between direct realism and indirect realism is that direct realists
claim that the immediate objects of perception are mind-independent objects (and their
properties), whereas indirect realists claim the immediate objects of perception are mind-
dependent objects (and their properties) that are caused by (and represent) mind-independent
objects.’
Example 2: ‘Direct realists claim that the immediate objects of perception are mind-
independent objects (and their properties). Indirect realists claim that the immediate objects of
perception are mind-dependent objects (and their properties) that are caused by and represent
mind-independent objects.’
4
2023
AQA
A-level
PHILOSOPHY
7172/1
Paper 1 Epistemology and moral philosophy
Mark scheme
June 2023
2
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL PHILOSOPHY – 7172/1 – JUNE
2023
Level of response marking instructions
Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The
descriptor for the level shows the performance at the mid-point of the level. There are marks in each
level. For the 3 and 5 mark questions that have only 1 mark in each level you need only apply step 1
below.
To support you in your marking, you will have standardisation scripts. These have been marked by the
Lead Examiner at the correct standard. Generally, you will have a standardisation script to exemplify
the standard for each level of the mark scheme for a particular item.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as
instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.
Step 1 Determine a level
Start by reading the whole of the student’s response and then, using the mark scheme level descriptors
and the standardisation scripts, place the response in the level which it matches or best fits.
When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest.
Step 2 Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. Start with the middle mark of the level
and then look at the student’s response in comparison with the level descriptor and the standardisation
script. If the student’s response is better than the standardisation script, award a mark above the mid-
point of the level. If the student’s response is weaker than the standardisation script, award a mark
below the mid-point of the level.
For the 25 mark questions examiners should bear in mind the relative weightings of the assessment
objectives and be careful not to over/under credit a particular skill. This will be exemplified and
reinforced as part of examiner training.
Guidance
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other appropriate points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the Indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded zero marks.
3
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL PHILOSOPHY – 7172/1 – JUNE
2023
Section A – Epistemology
0 1 What is the difference between direct realism and indirect realism?
[3 marks]
AO1 = 3
Marks Levels of response mark scheme
3 A full and correct answer, given precisely, with little or no redundancy.
2 The substantive content of the answer is correct, but there may be some
redundancy or minor imprecision.
1 Relevant, but fragmented, points.
0 Nothing written worthy of credit.
Indicative content
According to direct realism, the immediate objects of perception are mind-independent objects and
their properties: ie we perceive mind-independent objects directly without any mediation (by
sense- data).
According to indirect realism, the immediate objects of perception are mind-dependent objects (sense-
data) that are caused by and represent mind-independent objects. For indirect realists, we perceive
mind-independent physical objects indirectly by directly perceiving (or being aware of) sense data,
which represent (or misrepresent) the mind-independent physical objects which cause our
perceptions. The sense-data thereby mediate the perception.
The difference between direct and indirect realism can therefore be expressed in terms of:
Epistemological difference: perceptual immediacy vs perceptual mediation/representation.
Ontological difference: the non-existence vs the existence of sense-data.
Examples for 3 marks
Some students may express explicitly the difference between direct realism and indirect realism
(example 1). However, students can still gain 3 marks if they do not express it explicitly but it is clear
from their response that they understand the difference through their explanations of both theories
(example 2). The importance is that they understand both theories so the difference may be implicit.
Example 1: ‘The difference between direct realism and indirect realism is that direct realists
claim that the immediate objects of perception are mind-independent objects (and their
properties), whereas indirect realists claim the immediate objects of perception are mind-
dependent objects (and their properties) that are caused by (and represent) mind-independent
objects.’
Example 2: ‘Direct realists claim that the immediate objects of perception are mind-
independent objects (and their properties). Indirect realists claim that the immediate objects of
perception are mind-dependent objects (and their properties) that are caused by and represent
mind-independent objects.’
4
