Fiducia TogetherEthics
Frameworks for deciding what is right, and how they are applied to issues.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
Ethical theories include situation ethics (act with the most loving outcome), utilitarianism (greatest good for the greatest number), natural law and the sanctity of life. Religious ethics draw on scripture, tradition and authority.
Where it applies
GCSE and A Level religious studies, and philosophy.
How it works
Applied questions — on medical ethics, war, punishment, the environment, wealth — test whether you can take a framework and use it on a case rather than describe it.
Sanctity of life and quality of life arguments are the standard opposing pair in medical ethics.
How to use it in your work
Apply the theory, do not just define it. "A utilitarian would support this because..." then the actual reasoning.
Give both a religious and a non-religious view where the question asks, and note that religions are not unanimous.
Conclude. Evaluative questions want a judgement with a reason.
Where to get help
Your teacher and your board's specification — options differ enormously between centres, and yours is the one that counts. Bitesize covers the skills; the subject song runs the topics.
Revise this with a song
These are ours. We write revision songs because a lot of people remember a tune when they cannot remember a page, and because revising out loud in the kitchen beats staring at a highlighter.
- The Religious Studies Song The GCSE religious studies topics, set to music.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.