Philosophy · Year 13

Active learning ideas

The Concept and Nature of God

This topic examines the traditional attributes of God within Western theistic traditions, specifically omniscience, omnipotence, and supreme goodness (omnibenevolence). Students explore the internal consistency of these concepts, focusing on whether a being can possess all these traits simultaneously without creating logical contradictions. This is a foundational element of the AQA A-Level Philosophy specification, as it sets the stage for evaluating arguments for and against God's existence.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• AQA A-Level Philosophy 7172: 3.2.1.1 The concept and nature of 'God'
• DfE Philosophy AS and A-level subject content: Metaphysics of God

• 15–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Inquiry Circle
• 45 min · Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The Paradox Lab

Small groups are assigned a specific divine attribute and a corresponding paradox, such as the Euthyphro dilemma or the stone paradox. They must work together to find a logical 'fix' for the definition of the attribute that avoids the contradiction, then present their revised definition to the class.

What does it mean for a being to be omnipotent?

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Formal Debate
• 30 min · Whole Class

Formal Debate: Free Will vs. Foreknowledge

The class is split into two sides: one defending the compatibility of omniscience and free will, and the other arguing they are mutually exclusive. Students use specific philosophical moves, like the distinction between chronological and logical necessity, to build their case.

Can an omniscient God coexist with human free will?

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Decision-Making

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 15 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Defining Perfection

Students individually list five qualities a 'perfect' being must have. They then pair up to compare lists and identify any logical tensions between their chosen qualities, such as whether a perfect being can feel emotion or change its mind.

Is the concept of a supremely good being logically coherent?

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

---

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Omnipotence means God can do literally anything, including the logically impossible.

  Most philosophers, including Aquinas, argue omnipotence only covers the logically possible. Using peer discussion to test 'square circles' helps students see why logical contradictions aren't 'tasks' at all.

• Omniscience and foreknowledge are exactly the same thing.

  Foreknowledge implies a temporal relationship, whereas some philosophers argue God is atemporal (outside of time). Active mapping of 'God's eye view' versus a timeline helps students distinguish between these two concepts.

---

Methods used in this brief

• Inquiry Circle
• Formal Debate
• Think-Pair-Share