A-Level Philosophy
AS/A2 in Philosophy
AQA 2170
Why Study Philosophy?
There are many benefits to studying Philosophy. It encourages students to think for themselves, to develop reasoning and questioning skills and to present their own ideas coherently. The course allows for the examination of many modern ideas and theological issues.
Philosophy at A Level is useful for many courses at university including Law, Theology, Politics, History, English and the Social Sciences. Philosophy would benefit careers in Law, Politics, the Civil Service, Journalism and Education, or where an ability to relate the abstract to everyday experience is needed.
Aims of the course
- To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of issues in texts as well as an awareness of central debates and philosophical positions.
- Interpret and analyse arguments, relate to examples through own experience and knowledge.
- Assess arguments to be able to form reasoned judgments.
Course requirements
Students should have achieved a minimum of a Grade B at English Language GCSE.
Exam requirements
The AS course is assessed through two Unit papers at the end of the period of study. The A2 course is examined through two papers, with the second paper being a choice of texts by different philosophers.
Course Content at AS Level
UNIT 1:
- Reason and Experience - Study of how we gain Knowledge:
Examines ideas from Plato, Hume, Kant and Descartes, as well as the key ideas in the theory of knowledge acquisition. - Why should I be moral? - Introductory study of Morality:
Examines ideas of social contract, self-interest and duty, including a study of theories from Hobbes, Locke, Aristotle, Kant and Hume.
UNIT 2:
- Tolerance - An introductory topic of Political Philosophy:
Defining tolerance, liberal ideals, tolerant individuals and a tolerant society. A first introduction to Mill. - Free will and Determinism - An exploration of the debate of whether we truly have free will:
Looks at scientific determinism, fatalism, compatibilism and free agency.Key Philosophers include Hume and Sartre.
Course Content at A2 Level
UNIT 3: Expands on the study done at AS level.
- Political Philosophy:A detailed examination of political ideologies, nation states, marxism and liberalism, conceptions of rights, liberty and justice. A study of global justice and just war theory.
- Moral Philosophy - A thorough consideration of morality: The nature of moral truth, naturalism and the denial of moral truth through relativism, emotivism and prescriptivism. Making moral decisions using utilitarian ideas, deontological ethics and wisdom.
UNIT 4: This is entitled Philosophical Problems and includes a study of a key text
The study is of 'On Liberty' by J.S. Mill. Students will be thoroughly prepared to answer an essay paper on this text.
Students will be expected to read a wide range of material, to précis their reading, critically analyse material and to relate material to everyday experience as well as important global issues. It is essential that students are willing to engage in all class discussions and that they complete regular set work including essays, reading and presentations.
For further information, visit the AQA Website: Link to AQA Website
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