Why study Philosophy In this subject we look at the deep, fundamental questions in life: Is there God? Do we have free will? Is there life after death? To help us find answers to these questions we consider what great philosophers of the past have said, examining their arguments and discussing their different views. We learn how to think clearly and argue logically. In the second year, the course broadens to look at the development of oriental thought, specifically within the Buddhist tradition. This offers a fresh perspective on the issues we considered in year 12. By the end of year 13, each student should have developed skills of critical analysis, learned how to structure essays persuasively and coherently and will have an informed view on a variety of philosophical topics. Features of the course: Philosophy of religion - In this unit we examine the philosophical issues relating to Metaphysics, the study of the nature of reality. Topics include: issues surrounding God’s existence, the nature and origin of evil, whether or not our perception gives us an accurate account of how the world really is. We study the thought of great philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Kant and Hume. Finally, we consider the relationship between the mind and body. Do we have a non-physical soul or are we simply very complicated robots that can be explained by physical causes alone? Ethics – In this unit we examine the difference between right and wrong. We think that it is wrong to kill but how do we know that? We might think that sometimes it is right to lie but what principle can we hold that tell us when we should do so? Is morality something that humans have invented or is it objectively true in the same way that science might be thought to be? As part of this unit we study ethical theories that try to provide objective reasons for acting morally. The development of oriental philosophical thought – In the third section of the course we examine the development of philosophical thinking in the eastern, Buddhist tradition. Topics include Nagarjuna’s teaching on Emptiness, an in-depth study of the Lakshanas or marks of existence, theories of rebirth, the rise of Mahayana Buddhism and the Japanese Zen tradition. Conclusion – philosophy is a subject of great value. It teaches students to think clearly and rationally. On completing the course each student should have a better idea of what we know to be true. Philosophy is helpful in life and has many applications. There are ethical issues underlying everything from genetics to justice. Each person has a philosophy of life, whether they like it or not. In this subject you get a chance to explore what yours might be.