The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates. Philosophy involves a critical examination of our most fundamental beliefs about truth and reality, right and wrong. It challenges many of our assumptions about what we know and how we should live. It is an "interface" discipline, concerned with how different views of the world clash or fit together, and with how far different perspectives (moral, scientific, religious, metaphysical, personal) may be reconciled. It is also concerned with how different views of the world fit together. Can we, for example, reconcile moral, scientific, religious, personal, and metaphysical perspectives on the universe? Philosophy gives you the opportunity and is perhaps the only chance many people will have in their lives for extended reflection on and discussion of, in those immortal words, "life, the universe, and everything". Course Content The philosophy specification asks these questions: What can we know? How do we make moral decisions? Can the existence of God be proved? Are my mind and body separate? These questions are fundamental and the material covered in the specification not only provides students with a good understanding of how these debates have, so far, been framed, but also acts as a springboard for consideration and discussion of students own ideas. The type of questions on the exam ensure that students are assessed across a core of important philosophical skills. Short-tariff items assess the students’ accuracy and precision; longer-tariff items assess their ability to articulate a particular argument in a clear and concise way; and open-ended writing tasks assess their ability to construct and evaluate arguments. Students will have the opportunity to engage in detailed analysis of philosophical texts, using the Anthology as a springboard for further reading and reflection. The Anthology contains extracts from a range of philosophical texts. Students are expected to develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of them. Career value Philosophy is an excellent choice for ambitious students seeking careers with international organisations, the Civil Service, law, accountancy and consultancy firms and leading businesses especially in information technology and environmental sectors. Philosophy develops your ability to ‘think outside of the box’, problem-solve and communicate ideas clearly and persuasively. Understanding ideas and arguments, clear and critical thinking and writing, and making rational decisions, are highly valued at senior management levels. Any degree will value a student with a Philosophy A Level, which is why it’s on the ‘preferred’ subject list for many universities. The sciences, humanities, arts all value someone who can think. High-ranking universities describe Philosophy as having an ‘emphasis on the development of analytical and critical skills’ (Cambridge) and as developing ‘analytical rigour’ and ‘logical reasoning’ (Oxford). As well as single honours Philosophy degree courses, Philosophy is directly relevant for degrees offering combined qualifications, such as Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) and Philosophy, Psychology and Linguistics (PPL). There are also a wide range of dual honours degrees which combine Philosophy with subjects as diverse as Physics and Mathematics to Music or Theology. The A level course provides an excellent introduction for all these possibilities. A student’s view “Philosophy is probably the most thought provoking course I have ever done. Not for the faint-hearted, it is a subject which challenges your intellect, your prejudices and your ideas about everything conceivable, with vigour and flair.” "Doing Philosophy definitely gave me the edge when it came to sitting the Oxbridge entrance exam - even though I was applying for a very different course!"