WACE Philosophy Ethics ATAR study guide
WACE Philosophy Ethics ATAR · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Western Australian Certificate of Education Philosophy and Ethics ATAR is a senior secondary course and external examination for students in their final two years of schooling in Western Australia who want a humanities-rich, argument-driven subject counted toward their ATAR and university entrance. It suits students who enjoy reading primary texts closely, constructing and criticising arguments, and thinking through contested moral and metaphysical questions rather than memorising settled answers. The WACE Philosophy Ethics ATAR study guide has 7 sections and about 1,962 words.
01Philosophical Inquiry and Method: Analysing Arguments, Logic and Justification
Every question in this paper rests on your ability to take an argument apart. Identify the conclusion (the claim being defended) and the premises (the reasons offered).
322 words, about 2 min02Ethical Theory: Consequentialism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics and Meta-ethics
Consequentialism judges actions solely by outcomes; utilitarianism (Bentham, Mill) is its classic form, with act/rule and hedonistic/ideal distinctions. Know the utility principle , the difference between maximising total welfare and equal consideration of interests, and objections: justice, integrity, demandingness and the separateness of persons.
266 words, about 1 min03Applied Ethics: Bioethics, Environment, Technology and Justice
Applied ethics applies theory to concrete dilemmas. In bioethics , know the four principles (beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, justice) and debates over euthanasia, abortion, informed consent, genetic enhancement and resource allocation (triage, QALYs).
275 words, about 1 min04Metaphysics and Epistemology: Reality, Knowledge, Mind and Freedom
In epistemology , know the tripartite analysis of knowledge (justified true belief), the Gettier problem, foundationalism versus coherentism, rationalism versus empiricism, and scepticism (Descartes's method of doubt, the evil demon). Understand a priori versus a posteriori, analytic versus synthetic, and the problem of induction (Hume).
268 words, about 1 min05Philosophy of Religion: Arguments, Faith and the Problem of Evil
Know the classic arguments for God's existence . The ontological argument (Anselm, Descartes) moves from the concept of a greatest conceivable being to its existence; Kant's objection is that existence is not a predicate.
260 words, about 1 min06Political and Social Philosophy: Justice, Rights, Liberty and Authority
Examine justice through Rawls's veil of ignorance and the two principles (equal basic liberties; the difference principle permitting inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged). Contrast this with Nozick's entitlement theory (acquisition, transfer, rectification) and his critique of patterned redistribution.
276 words, about 1 min07Philosophical Texts and Traditions: Reading Primary Sources
Engagement with primary texts requires more than summary. Know the historical context and the author's central question.
295 words, about 1 min