Philosophy

“Many people would sooner die than think; in fact they do so”. – Bertrand Russell

Course Overview

The religious and philosophical questions of mankind remain as important today as ever. Through the exploration of theology, philosophy and the world’s major religious traditions, a deeper understanding emerges of culture, humanity and of ourselves.

The questions that philosophy investigates are the most profound questions that we can ask. It investigates the deepest aspects of what it means to be human.

• Are we simply animals that have evolved, or do we have a spiritual dimension that will survive the death of our bodies?

• Does God exist, and if so, what does God expect of us?

• What can we know about the world we live in, and is certainty important?

• Is there one moral code for all people to live by, or is right and wrong

‘simply’ a matter of culture?

• How far can you take this idea – could it really ever be right to sexually abuse someone, whatever your culture says? Whether you study these questions in a religious context or not, they are questions that get to the heart of our existence.

Students at King Edward’s will be studying the AQA A Level in Philosophy and this means that students will be schooled in the art of thinking critically. Studying this subject is not simply about learning a body of knowledge, it is also about learning an invaluable skill - how to recognise, evaluate and construct arguments, whether on the page or in classroom debate. The department aims to promote honest and robust discussion and to provide students with a stimulating, enjoyable and academically rigorous study of philosophy.

Philosophy is a rigorous and demanding academic discipline in its own right. It develops critical thinking and rigour in the search for truths in uncertain fields.

An A Level in Philosophy can be extremely valuable. An understanding of ethical issues is required in many professions such as Law, Chartered Accountancy, Banking, Medicine (particularly the Medical Ethics unit) and the Armed Forces. It is also an excellent subject for any pupil who wants to go on to work with people. If you are interested in studying medicine, the examination of medical ethics and the question of the sanctity of life in relation to abortion, genetic engineering and euthanasia would be invaluable. The syllabus moves logically on from the GCSE Religious Studies syllabus which we also teach at King Edward’s but is also open to all regardless of whether they have studied Religious Studies or not. The only prerequisite to the A Level course is a willingness to engage in debate and to have one’s views held up for scrutiny.

Skills Required

Methods of Assessment

Paper 1

3 hours - 50%

Epistemology and Moral Philosophy

Paper 2

3 hours - 50%