Sixth Form Options Booklet

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G C Solomons Head of Religious Studies and Philosophy gsolomons@mtsn.org.uk

Philosophy underpins everything we think we know, strive to know, and do. Any and all subjects that you may choose to study at A Level started out as a field of philosophical investigation. By definition, philosophy is a ‘love of wisdom’, and that is precisely what students gain by studying this course. Quite simply, “You cannot do without philosophy; for everything has its hidden meaning, which we must know” (Maxim Gorky). An increasingly popular course nationally, A Level Philosophy covers four key ideas of Western philosophy in great depth. The course requires no specific former knowledge and can be studied by anyone with an enquiring and critical mind. It particularly appeals to students who have an interest in challenging conceptual thought, have a capacity for analytical thinking, and enjoy a good debate. While the nature of A Level Philosophy assessments entails a great degree of analytic rigour and precision, it also provides the opportunity to delve deeper into some of humanity’s most basic assumptions, including whether we are real, and whether we can know anything at all. Philosophy students therefore have an exceptionally open mind and well developed patience when grappling with seemingly impossible problems. This course has four equally weighted units, all of which will be examined at the end of a two year course based upon AQA specification 7172. These units are assessed during two three hour unseen exams whereby students answer both short and longer (essay-style) questions. Epistemology is the study of theories of knowledge. This unit covers the definition of knowledge, what we can know, and how we acquire knowledge and concepts. It even challenges everything you thought you knew by considering the concept of radical philosophical scepticism – perhaps this world is that of a simulation, perhaps we are simply brains in vats, and perhaps we cannot ever really claim to know anything at all. Think the Truman Show, The Matrix, Inception... Unit One: Epistemology Moral philosophy is often referred to as ethics. Put simply, it’s about right and wrong, good and bad. This unit covers ethical theories, applications of these theories, and the meaning of moral language. Questions posed and views examined help students better understand what it means to be a good person, or to do good things. In fact, students even question whether there is any such thing as morality at all, and if not, what the consequences of this may be. Unit Two: Moral Philosophy This unit covers the Abrahamic concept of God as typically conceived by the three main monotheistic religions. It considers whether this concept of a God is logical or indeed possible, as well as arguments for and against the existence of God. Can we even talk about such a God if He does exist, and what are the consequences of our inability to comprehend a God with such characteristics? Unit Three: Metaphysics of God