Philosophy

 

Philosophy is offered in the sixth form at A level, with students following the increasingly popular AQA course. While the subject is new to them, it draws on themes that they will have visited elsewhere at GCSE, notably in Religious Studies and Citizenship, and those big questions that they may well have pondered before: why are we here? What makes something right or wrong? Can we ever truly know something for certain? Is there a God?
 
The AQA course offers a broad introduction to these key philosophical themes – the nature of knowledge, of morality and of God, as well as the value of art, and of tolerance. Students are introduced to the arguments of important thinkers, allowing them to develop the skills to reason critically and creatively, form their own judgements, and express themselves coherently. The course can be challenging and rewarding, as students grapple with the profound ideas that shape our values and our existence.
 
Philosophy complements many other disciplines, and it can be studied on its own at university or in conjunction with a range of subjects, such as mathematics, politics, psychology, literature, history or modern languages.
 
Course Overview
 
Unit 1 – An Introduction to Philosophy 1     [AS]
 
The idea of God
What is God? Does the idea of God make sense: an all-loving being who created a world in which there is so much suffering? How do we know (or can we know) if He does (or does not) exist? And whether we believe or not, how do we explain where the idea of God came from?
 
Why should I be moral?
How can we convince someone to be moral, if it is not in their self-interest? Are human beings naturally selfish, or naturally altruistic (loving)? Does it ever pay to be moral? What does it even mean to be moral?
 
Reason and Experience
What is knowledge? How do we acquire reliable knowledge? Can we always trust our senses? Is there anything we can know about the world without using any of our senses? What role does reason play in discovering knowledge?
 
The question paper is 1 hour 30 minutes and consists of one question on each theme. Each question consists of two parts worth 15 and 30 marks. Candidates must answer the compulsory question on Reason and experience and one other question.
 
 
Unit 2 – An Introduction to Philosophy 2     [AS]
 
Tolerance
What does it mean to be a tolerant person? What does it mean to say we live in a tolerant society? How is tolerance connected to other important values, such as liberty, equality, democracy, and diversity? What tensions can arise from tolerance or intolerance?
 
The value of art
Everyone appreciates art of some form, be it music, fashion, literature, film, or renaissance masterpiece, but what makes something valuable? Is it just because it is useful? Or beautiful? Or because it makes us feel a certain way? How is art related to emotions?
 
The debate over free will and determinism
What does it mean to be free or to have a free will? How do we know (or can we know) if we do (or do not) have a free will? Is it possible that everything has already been predetermined? What implications would this view have for the way we live?
 
The question paper is 1 hour 30 minutes and consists of one question on each theme. Each question consists of two parts worth 15 and 30 marks. Candidates must answer two questions.
 
 
Unit 3: Key Themes in Philosophy (PHIL3)     [A2]
Students will study two themes chosen from a list of areas of philosophy, based on the topics that most interested them at AS level.
 
Unit 4: Philosophical Problems – Set Texts (PHIL4)     [A2]
Students will focus on the philosophical texts of two important thinkers, whose ideas correspond to the areas of philosophy that most interested them at AS level.