A Level Philosophy

Why study Philosophy?

Philosophy is one of the oldest academic disciplines, which deals with concepts at the very heart of human existence. Philosophy is literally defined as ‘love of knowledge’ and it is perfect for people who want both to question fundamental ideas and to build their own body of knowledge.You will be introduced to some of the greatest ideas from history and given the chance to analyse them, looking to see whether they still stand up to scrutiny in a modern context.

Students who want to question, discuss, know, and challenge are well suited to the study of philosophy. The course involves the establishment of a body of key knowledge and understanding, as well as the development of important skills such as critical analysis and evaluation of a variety of scholarly views. Study will involve reading large passages of academic writing and essay-writing, so time will be spent improving students’ essay-writing techniques.

What will I study?

This course is split into four units. Each unit contains distinct elements of study, but they also borrow ideas and thinkers synoptically from each other. At the end of the course you will be assessed in two exams, with each one covering two of the four units.

In Year 12 you will study:

· Epistemology, which asks 'What can we know?' and even 'What is knowledge?'.

· Moral Philosophy, often referred to as Ethics, poses questions such 'Can we know what is right and wrong?' and 'What makes a 'good' life?'. It explores prominent ethical theories and applies them to relevant real-world contexts.

In Year 13 you will study:

· Metaphysics, which is going beyond what we can know scientifically, to explore questions relating to the philosophy of religion. It asks questions such as 'Is the idea of God a coherent one?' and 'Could we ever prove or disprove the existence of God?',

· Philosophy of the Mind, looks inwards, questioning 'What am I?', and exploring what it means to be human and the possibility of a soul/mind and body distinction.

Philosophy Extras

Philosophy will include the opportunity for students to access lectures from institutions such as the Royal Institute of Philosophy, Cambridge Union, and more. These will provide students with a chance to further their understanding of key ideas. These, as well as additional reading and other extension opportunities, will be publicised regularly by the department.

External Assessment

Each of the four units has equal weighting: Epistemology: 25% of total A-Level

Moral Philosophy: 25% of total A-Level Metaphysics: 25% of total A-Level Philosophy of the Mind: 25% of total A-Level

Minimum Entry Requirements:

5 x 5s

4 in English and Maths

Subject Specific Entry Requirements:

6 in English Language or English Literature GCSE

What can I do with Philosophy after A-Level?

Philosophy students engage in the analysis of complex ideas, establish sound critical thinking techniques, and develop the ability to build sound and coherent arguments. As such, the subject is highly regarded by universities and employers.

Studying philosophy leads on to higher study in a range of subjects including, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Sociology, History, Theology, Law, Politics and Medicine, among others. Students find the knowledge and critical reasoning gained useful in a wealth of different careers such as in the legal system, civil service, medicine, human resources, technological industries, and journalism.