A-level PHILOSOPHY 7172/1

A-level PHILOSOPHY 7172/1 Paper 1 Epistemology and moral philosophy Mark scheme June 2023 Version: 1.0 Final *236A7172/1/MS* Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’ responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are required to refer these to the Lead Examiner. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. Further copies of this mark scheme are available from Copyright information AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre. Copyright © 2023 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 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. Section A – Epistemology 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.’