Educerie · IB Diploma · Philosophy

Core theme — Topic test

Paper 1 Section A style · 20 marks · 45 minutes

1. (a) Define the term personhood. [2]

(b) Explain why the criterion of rationality is problematic as a basis for personhood. [3]

2. Analyse the following argument, setting it out in premises and identifying any assumption it relies on:

"No one is morally responsible for their actions, because every action is caused by prior events that the agent did not choose." [5]

3. Distinguish between determinism and fatalism. [2]

4. Evaluate the claim that the mind is distinct from the body. [8]

Total: 20 marks

Command terms in this test. Question 2 says analyse, so the argument must be broken into premises and conclusion, and the unstated premise identified. Question 4 says evaluate, which requires the strongest case on both sides and a judgement that follows from the argument — a confident verdict the essay has not earned scores lower than a qualified one it has.

Educerie · original questions written against the published IB syllabus structure for Philosophy, core theme, first assessment 2025. Last reviewed 5 September 2026.