'An unexamined life is not worth living.' This was the clarion call to take up Philosophy from one of its best-known proponents, Socrates, in the 4th century BCE. Here, at the dawn of the 21st century, we find ourselves facing questions which go far beyond merely finding meaning in our lives. Whether you are concerned about the rise of killer robots, the drumbeat of populist politics, the ever-widening societal inequality, new-wave misogyny or 'woke' cancel culture, we can, hopefully, agree that rationality is sorely needed in our (supposedly) 'post-truth' world. No matter what path you choose to follow in life, be it in education, computing, politics, medicine or anything else, Philosophy equips us with the knowledge and skills to engage with an uncertain world and take part, confidently, in shaping a positive future for us all. At its simplest, Philosophy is the study of what and how we think. It is a searching examination of the beliefs and attitudes that grip and shape our world. It equips us with the tools to ask the right questions, to refute what we know to be false and to justify what is true to us. At the same time, it teaches us to think carefully, to hold our beliefs lightly and to navigate complex disagreements. In this respect, Philosophy is a discipline that works incredibly well alongside any other combination of subjects and the varied experiences of our students contribute to everyone's experience in lessons. Although you may wish to study Philosophy for its own sake, the transferrable skills and expertise of the philosopher, which are incredibly desirable in University applicants, are myriad and include: critical analysis, creative thinking, logical reasoning, problem-solving, mental dexterity, information management, clear and persuasive communication and oracy. In a world where technical skill is becoming less and less important than our ability to reason and make sensible judgements, students of Philosophy are certainly the best-equipped. Our course follows the AQA A-Level qualification in ‘Philosophy’. It includes four units which are examined across two three-hour papers at the end of Year 13. There is no coursework component. The exam includes a mixture of short-answer questions alongside an essay in each unit. The four units of study are as follows: 1) Epistemology This unit addresses questions such as... - What is true knowledge and can we be sure anything is real? - What is the best route to understanding and where do we go wrong? - Are there things we cannot know and what are the limits of our knowledge? 2) Moral Philosophy This unit addresses questions such as... - What is 'goodness' and how do I work out what I ought to do? - What is 'happiness' and what would a life well-lived be like? - Is 'goodness' anything more than a matter of opinion? 3) The Metaphysics of Mind This unit addresses questions such as... - What is the 'self' and am I anything more than just my brain? - What are thoughts and where do they exist? - Why am I conscious and can I know that anyone else is? 4) The Metaphysics of God This unit addresses questions such as... - What does the concept of 'God' really refer to and does it even make sense? - Can human language even begin to talk about the ultimate reality of the universe? - Could it be that the universe has always existed? In our classrooms you can expect plenty of discussion, disagreement and friendly debate. We work hard together to create an environment where everyone feels respected, included and valued and all are welcome to join us, whether you have studied a GCSE in a related subject or not.
GCSE Grade 7/8 (A/A*) in a humanities subject is preferred
About Education Provider
| Region | South West |
| Local Authority | Gloucestershire |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Mixed |
| Address | Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, GL51 0HG |
'An unexamined life is not worth living.' This was the clarion call to take up Philosophy from one of its best-known proponents, Socrates, in the 4th century BCE. Here, at the dawn of the 21st century, we find ourselves facing questions which go far beyond merely finding meaning in our lives. Whether you are concerned about the rise of killer robots, the drumbeat of populist politics, the ever-widening societal inequality, new-wave misogyny or 'woke' cancel culture, we can, hopefully, agree that rationality is sorely needed in our (supposedly) 'post-truth' world. No matter what path you choose to follow in life, be it in education, computing, politics, medicine or anything else, Philosophy equips us with the knowledge and skills to engage with an uncertain world and take part, confidently, in shaping a positive future for us all. At its simplest, Philosophy is the study of what and how we think. It is a searching examination of the beliefs and attitudes that grip and shape our world. It equips us with the tools to ask the right questions, to refute what we know to be false and to justify what is true to us. At the same time, it teaches us to think carefully, to hold our beliefs lightly and to navigate complex disagreements. In this respect, Philosophy is a discipline that works incredibly well alongside any other combination of subjects and the varied experiences of our students contribute to everyone's experience in lessons. Although you may wish to study Philosophy for its own sake, the transferrable skills and expertise of the philosopher, which are incredibly desirable in University applicants, are myriad and include: critical analysis, creative thinking, logical reasoning, problem-solving, mental dexterity, information management, clear and persuasive communication and oracy. In a world where technical skill is becoming less and less important than our ability to reason and make sensible judgements, students of Philosophy are certainly the best-equipped. Our course follows the AQA A-Level qualification in ‘Philosophy’. It includes four units which are examined across two three-hour papers at the end of Year 13. There is no coursework component. The exam includes a mixture of short-answer questions alongside an essay in each unit. The four units of study are as follows: 1) Epistemology This unit addresses questions such as... - What is true knowledge and can we be sure anything is real? - What is the best route to understanding and where do we go wrong? - Are there things we cannot know and what are the limits of our knowledge? 2) Moral Philosophy This unit addresses questions such as... - What is 'goodness' and how do I work out what I ought to do? - What is 'happiness' and what would a life well-lived be like? - Is 'goodness' anything more than a matter of opinion? 3) The Metaphysics of Mind This unit addresses questions such as... - What is the 'self' and am I anything more than just my brain? - What are thoughts and where do they exist? - Why am I conscious and can I know that anyone else is? 4) The Metaphysics of God This unit addresses questions such as... - What does the concept of 'God' really refer to and does it even make sense? - Can human language even begin to talk about the ultimate reality of the universe? - Could it be that the universe has always existed? In our classrooms you can expect plenty of discussion, disagreement and friendly debate. We work hard together to create an environment where everyone feels respected, included and valued and all are welcome to join us, whether you have studied a GCSE in a related subject or not.
GCSE Grade 7/8 (A/A*) in a humanities subject is preferred
