A level Philosophy

This course addresses four areas of study in philosophy, asking some of the most important questions faced by humans (What can we know? What is our true nature? Does God exist? How should I live my life?) and investigating in-depth the answers that have been put forward by philosophers over the years. The course helps to give context to the history of ideas that led to the modern world we face today. Students will develop skills of critical analysis, research, persuasive argument, logic and literary interpretation.  

Course content

Ethics: Moral philosophy is often referred to as ethics. It is about right and wrong, good and bad. This module covers ethical theories, applications of these theories, and the meaning of moral language. Key question: How should I live my life?

Knowledge: Epistemology means theory of knowledge. The epistemology module covers what the definition of knowledge is, as well as how much knowledge comes from perception and how much from reason. It also covers the idea of scepticism – how certain we can be of our knowledge. Key question: How do I know what I know?

God: This module covers the concept of God as typically conceived by the three main monotheistic religions. It covers whether such a concept is possible as well as arguments for and against the existence of God. Key question: Can God’s existence ever be proved?

Mind: Philosophy of mind looks at what minds and mental states actually are. This module covers various theories which say the mind is a physical thing and others which argue it is non-physical. Key question: Can human experience be explained entirely by physical processes?

Greater Depth

Students have achieved greater depth in Philosophy when they excel in:

• Making connections between arguments and ideas across different topics
• Communicating their ideas convincingly and logically
• Evaluating and critically appraising evidence and arguments
• Demonstrating precise understanding of arguments and ideas studies

Testimonials

Philosophy has played an instrumental role in shaping how we see the world. From building on our perceptions of morality to challenging our typical definition of knowledge, endless discussions that we have engaged in have inspired a deeper understanding of everyday life. This makes every lesson engaging, helping us to explore the big questions of life through our own perspectives. Philosophy has taught us to question everything we take for granted, greatly improving our critical thinking. This is a skill which we enjoy applying to other subjects as well, making us much better at perceiving the hidden layers of a concept. This new way of thinking has really opened our minds, greatly influencing our outlook on life.

-Alice and Eloise, Year 13