What do I need to study Philosophy?

Philosophy is the study of wisdom. It is a subject which poses big and important questions about the world, how we live and what is real. It encourages us to use our best reasoning skills to answer these questions. Philosophy is a challenging and exciting subject which requires you to be brave about testing your beliefs and attitudes and to be open to debate and argument. To study philosophy you need to have achieved at least a Grade 5 in GCSE english.

What does the course involve?

We study the AQA philosophy course (7172). Subject content includes these four modules spread over two years:

Year 1

• Epistemology (different theories of knowledge)
• Moral philosophy (utilitarianism, kantian and virtue ethics. Applied ethics and meta-ethics)

Year 2

• Metaphysics of God (attributes, arguments for and against existence of God, problem of evil and suffering and religious language)
• Metaphysics of the mind (dualism and physicalism covering functionalism and identity theory)

What other subjects would combine well with Philosophy?

There are very few subjects that can’t be very well combined with Philosophy! Students studying sciences will get a lot out of Philosophy’s careful consideration of the limits of knowledge based on experience while those doing the social sciences and humanities will appreciate the strong relationships between these subjects and philosophy (psychology, for example, emerged out of the Philosophy in the 19th century).

What will I be able to do with an A Level in Philosophy?

Philosophy is looked upon favourably by employers who see it as providing an excellent grounding in logical and analytic thought. In addition to completing a degree in Philosophy there are many careers which involve aspects of Philosophy. If you want to be a lawyer or doctor, for example, you will find that part of your course will involve Philosophy and ethics.

What skills will I need and what skills will I develop on the course?

You will need to be able to express your ideas in writing and in class debate (you must have at least a Grade 5 in English). Students will learn to be clear and precise in their thinking and writing and to analyse and evaluate the argument of others whilst constructing and defending your own arguments.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is by written examination. You will sit two three hour papers at the end of Year 13.