2023 VJC GP Prelim P2 Insert and Question Paper

1 VICTORIA JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2023 HIGHER 1 GENERAL PAPER 8807/02 Paper 2 1 hour 30 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your C.T. group, index number and name on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction tape. Answer all questions. Note that up to 15 marks out of 50 will be awarded for your use of language. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. This document consists of 10 printed pages. [Turn over

2 John Danaher writes about moral change and its implications on the future. * The Homeric epics are poems written by the poet and philosopher Homer. 1 When we look back at the beliefs and practices of our ancestors, we are often shocked at wha t they found morally acceptable: the public torture of criminals, the trading of slaves, and the subjugation of women. The history of moral change – change in what is, and is no t, considered morally acceptable – encourages greater scepticism about our current moral beliefs and practices. We might like to think we have arrived at a state of great moral enlightenment, but there is reason to believe that further moral revolutions await. Taking t his possibility seriously leads to two inquiries. First, we should investigate the mechanisms of moral change and revolution. Second, we must consider the ramifications of future moral revolutions for t hose of us alive today. 5 2 So why did historical moral revolutions take place? And what might cau se them to occur again? The philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre describes the relatively simple morality of the Homeric epics*, where goodness and virtue were associated with performing a set role in a hierarchical warrior culture. But situations can change dramatically. Denizens of the seafaring, trade- dependent Greek city -states which were culturally diverse were much less certain about moral concepts and ideas and had to reshape their moral practices to accommodate new socia l realities. MacIntyre’s comparison of moralities is consistent with the findi ng that geological, ecological, and economic realities often shape our moral practices. Indeed, the history of ethics is one of revolutions caused by changes in how open and closed societies have been to othe r ways of life. 10 15 3 Technology also plays a key role in changing moral beliefs and practices. Technologies give us new powers and choices, altering the weighing of costs and benefits as we make dec isions. This can have profound moral consequences. A prime example of this is the impact effective contraceptives have had on attitudes toward extra -marital (particularly pre -marital) sex. Research estimates that in the year 1900 fewer than 6 percent of unmarried w omen in t