Philosophy

Who should take this course? 

• Anyone planning a career that involves the ability to evaluate ideas and understand complex issues.

• Anyone who enjoys questioning and debating issues of which there are no definitive answers.

• Anyone who wishes to have a better understanding of communities and society.

• Anyone who has ever thought about why people make the decisions and judgements that they do, particularly on matters of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.

• Anyone who has ever asked themselves difficult questions, such as: What makes me ‘Me’? Why am I here? Is there a God? Is there life after death? What makes this right and that wrong? Why did they do that? 

What is the course about? 

• This course is designed to introduce students to the key methods and concepts in philosophy through the study of four broad themes: Epistemology; Philosophy of Religion; Ethics; and Philosophy of Mind. Students will develop and refine a range of transferable skills, such as the ability to ask penetrating questions, to analyse and evaluate the arguments of others and to present their own arguments clearly and logically.

• This philosophy specification asks these main questions:

• • What can we know?

  • Can the existence of God be proved?

  • How do we make moral decisions?

  • Are my mind and body separate?

• You will have the opportunity to engage in detailed analysis of philosophical texts which should act as a springboard for your future reading and reflection. 

How is it assessed? 

This is a LINEAR specification. 

• There will be TWO exams at the end of the course. Each exam will be 3 hours and will be worth 50% of the final grade.

• You can opt to do the AS qualification which will be one 3 hour exam worth 100% of the final grade. The content is the same as the Year 1 linear specification. 

Where will it take me?                                                                                                             

• Philosophy A-Level is extremely well respected by colleges and universities.

• Students could go on to study Philosophy, Religious Studies, Politics, History, Geography, Medicine, English, Theology, Psychology, Sociology, and many other subjects.