Definitions: Philosophical, Ethical and Religious Issues

Question 1

Adultery

Answer 1

Sexual act between a married person and someone other than their marriage partner

Question 2

Divorce

Answer 2

Legal dissolution of a marriage by a court

Question 3

Cohabitation

Answer 3

Living without being married

Question 4

Commitment

Answer 4

Being dedicated by giving your time and energy to another person

Question 5

Contraception

Answer 5

Intentionally preventing pregnancy from occurring

Question 6

Gender equality

Answer 6

Men and women being treated equally and not discriminated against on the grounds of gender

Question 7

Responsibilities

Answer 7

Being accountable and having a duty towards another person

Question 8

Roles

Answer 8

The characteristic and expected social behaviour of an individual in a family

Question 9

Afterlife

Answer 9

State of being in life after death

Question 10

Environmental sustainability

Answer 10

State in which demands placed by humans on the environment can be met

Question 11

Euthanasia

Answer 11

Painless killing of someone dying from a painful disease

Question 12

Evolution

Answer 12

Gradual development of organisms over time from simple to more complex forms

Question 13

Abortion

Answer 13

Removal of a foetus from the womb before it can survive

Question 14

Quality of life

Answer 14

Idea that life must have some characteristics for it to be worth living

Question 15

Sanctity of life

Answer 15

Belief that human life is holy because it is created by and belongs to God

Question 16

Soul

Answer 16

Spiritual and immaterial part of a human being which lives on after death for ever

Question 17

Good

Answer 17

That which is considered morally right, beneficial and to our advantage

Question 18

Evil

Answer 18

That which is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong

Question 19

Forgiveness

Answer 19

To grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer

Question 20

Free Will

Answer 20

The ability to make choices voluntarily and independently. Te belief that nothing is predetermined

Question 21

Justice

Answer 21

Fairness; where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity

Question 22

Morality

Answer 22

Principles and standards determining which actions are right or wrong

Question 23

Punishment

Answer 23

A penalty given to someone for a rime or a wrong they have done

Question 24

Sin

Answer 24

Deliberate immoral acton, breaking a religious or moral law

Question 25

Suffering

Answer 25

Pain or distress caused by injury, illness or loss. Suffering can be physical, emotional/psychological or spiritual

Question 26

Censorship

Answer 26

The practice of suppressing and limiting access to materials considered obscene, offensive or a threat to security. People may also be restricted in their speech by censorship laws

Question 27

Discrimination

Answer 27

Acts of treating groups of people, or individuals differently, based on prejudice

Question 28

Extremism

Answer 28

Believing in and supporting ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable

Question 29

Human rights

Answer 29

The basic entitlements of all human beings, afforded to them simply because they are human

Question 30

Personal conviction

Answer 30

Something a person strongly feels or believes in

Question 31

Prejudice

Answer 31

Pre-judging; judging people to be inferior or superior without cause

Question 32

Relative poverty

Answer 32

A standard of poverty measured in relation to the standards of a society in which a person lives e.g. living on less than x% of average UK income

Question 33

Absolute poverty

Answer 33

An acute state of deprivation, whereby a person cannot access the most basic of their human needs

Question 34

Social justice

Answer 34

Promoting a fair society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity. Ensuring that everyone has equal access to provisions, equal opportunities and rights.