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Unit 1 - January 2009

Reason and Experience, Persons, The Idea of God, Why should I be Governed?, Why should I be Moral?

Reason and Experience

Explain and illustrate one account of the origin of our conceptual schemes. (15 marks)

How convincing is the view that we are born with at least some (innate) knowledge? (30 marks)

Why should I be Governed?

Explain and illustrate two ways in which an individual might possess authority. (15 marks)

Is any account of the condition of mankind in a state of nature convincing? (30 marks)

Why should I be Moral?

Explain and illustrate two criticisms of the view that morality is the product of a social contract. (15 marks)

‘I might believe that an action is morally right, but this does not give me a motive to perform it.’ Discuss. (30 marks)

The Idea of God

Outline two versions of the ontological argument. (15 marks)

Assess the view that God is no more than a human construction. (30 marks)

Persons

Explain and illustrate the claim that the concept of a person is primitive. (15 marks)

How convincing is the claim that some non-human animals could be persons? (30 marks)