Philosophy

The word ‘philosophy’ means ‘love of wisdom’, which is exactly what this course will give you. As a Philosophy student, you will study four major areas of philosophical thought, including epistemology (theory of knowledge) and moral philosophy, which considers the ethical theories coined by major philosophical thinkers and applies them to real-life scenarios.

The third major area you will explore is the Metaphysics of God. This asks you to consider whether the concept of God is coherent, whether the given attributes of God are compatible with evil, and whether the arguments for the existence of God are convincing.

The fourth unit, the Metaphysics of Mind, is where you will consider what the mind is and where it might be located. You will also explore the hypothesis that the mind is a separate substance from the body, along with all other issues and alternative explanations relating to this school of thought.

A level Philosophy will help you develop your evaluation, analytical and problemsolving skills, whilst strengthening your ability to research, write and debate in order to present complex ideas clearly and concisely.

Progression routes Philosophy is highly regarded by universities as it requires excellent analytical skills and comprehension of complex ideas. It combines well with theology, natural sciences, history, sociology and law. It can also lead to careers in the civil service, journalism, social work, teaching and charity work.

I chose Leeds Sixth Form College as I’m encouraged to push myself in an energetic and supportive environment.