Philosophy A Level

Philosophy is ‘thinking in slow motion’. If you’re looking for a subject which will help you develop the skills of clear thinking and analysis, then Philosophy is ideal. It is an exploration of the nature of reality, knowledge, and our very being. It is a challenging subject, but one which rewards those who persevere with a new understanding and approach to life. If you find any of the following interesting, then Philosophy could be for you!

• What is knowledge and how do we obtain it?

• What is good?

• Does God exist?

• Is my mind just my brain?

• Can we ever justify evil?

First Year:

Unit 1 Epistemology: An introduction to the core foundations of philosophy, including explorations into the nature of knowledge and reality.

Topics include:

• The Definition of Knowledge

• Empiricism & Rationalism

Unit 2 Moral Philosophy: An analysis of normative ethical theories including utilitarianism the nature of morality and whether it is subjective or potentially objective.

Topics include:

• Normative Ethical Theories

• Applied Ethics

• Meta-Ethics

Second Year:

Unit 3 Philosophy of Religion: What is the nature of God? Students will study key theological elements of religion and establish whether God’s existence can be proven.

Topics include:

• The Nature or Attributes of God

• The Problem of Evil

Unit 4 Philosophy of Mind: What is the nature of human consciousness? Philosophy of Mind embarks on a deep exploration of the nature of our being, seeking to answer the question, ‘what is our soul?’

Topics include:

• Dualist Accounts of the Mind

• Physicalist Accounts of the Mind.

Assessment is by written examination.