Philosophy

Why study this subject?

Philosophy is the oldest academic discipline, engaged in by some of the world’s greatest minds and is one of the most interesting of all subjects. It can be defined as the study of reality i.e. everything that exists. It seeks to explain concepts we recognise in our everyday lives such as truth, knowledge, beauty, justice and goodness. It asks and offers answers to fundamental questions such as:

• How do I know that the world outside my own mind exists? • How do I know that other people exist? • Are my thoughts physical? • Do I have free will? • What is moral goodness? Is it independent of society? • What principles should we use to tell us how to behave?

If you enjoy thinking about these sorts of questions and discussing them with others, then philosophy is the subject for you.

Because philosophy deals with every aspect of life, it combines well with all other A level subjects. Common combinations are philosophy, politics and economics, philosophy and psychology, philosophy and maths, philosophy and physics, philosophy and computer science, philosophy and languages.

What skills will you develop?

Philosophy will give you an enviable skill set. It will teach you to think and write in a way that no other subject can. Specific skills that philosophy develops include:

• Logical thinking • Analysing arguments • Ability to explain complex ideas articulately • Precision of thought and expression • Conciseness of expression

These skills can lead to a wide variety of careers such as Law, business, journalism, work for government agencies and many, many more

What are the key elements to the course?

Epistemology: The study of knowledge

What is knowledge? Philosophical attempts to define it Perception as a source of knowledge Reason as a source of knowledge The limits of knowledge: scepticism

Moral philosophy: Ethics

Normative ethical theories: utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, Aristotelian virtue ethics Applied Ethics: stealing, telling lies, simulated killing, eating animals Metaethics

Metaphysics of Mind: What is the relationship between the mind and the body? Substance dualism, property dualism, philosophical behaviourism, mind brain identity theory, functionalism

Metaphysics of God: The philosophy of religion

The concept of God, arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, religious language