Philosophy *NEW*

Entry Requirements 

Grade 5 in English and Maths and Science.

About This Course

Students will develop important skills that they need for progression to higher education. They’ll learn to be clear and precise in their thinking and writing. They will engage with complex texts, analysing and evaluating the arguments of others and constructing and defending their own arguments.

Course Content & Assessment

The AQA A Level in Philosophy covers the elements of; Epistemology (The study of knowledge itself), Moral Philosophy, the Metaphysics of God (Arguments for and against the existence of God) and the Metaphysics of Mind (What defines ‘mind’ and whether mind and body are separate things).

The qualification is assessed by 2 written examinations both worth 50% of the final qualifications and both sat at the end of Year 13.

Philosophers studied will include; John Locke, Bertrand Russell, George Berkley, Plato, Leibniz, Descartes, David Hume, Bentham, JS Mill, Aristotle, Kant, Mackie, Ayer and Hare.

What could this course lead to?

Philosophy is a complex and analytical subject. It is unique as it covers every area of life and learning. It allows students to question every element of knowledge and has traditionally been ambiguous in whether or not it is a science or humanities subject. There are scientific elements in arguing the existence of mind/God and there are also humanities elements arguing for the moral and ethical choices that individuals make and the social contract that allows those decisions to be made.

The successful completion of an A Level in Philosophy can be applied, due to its analytical nature to any field of further study in higher education.  It is also a subject that allows individuality of thought and development of the students’ thought processes, problem solving skills and independent thought. This is particularly relevant in the field of work as many employers seek individuals with the skill to weigh up possibilities in given scenarios or the ability to think for themselves – all of which Philosophy encourages.