A Level Philosophy

Bentley Wood High School

02089543623

Clamp Hill, Stanmore, HA7 3JW

Course summary

In the AS year we cover ‘Epistemology’ and ‘Philosophy of Religion’. In the first unit we examine where ideas and knowledge come from. Does knowledge come from Reason (like Maths) or our senses (like Science)? Can we know anything at all? Do we perceive the world as it really is and how does perception work? In the second unit we examine questions which you were introduced to in your GCSE in much more detail. Is there any good reason to believe a God exists? Does morality come from a God’s decisions, or are things good and bad independently of God? In A2 we study ‘Philosophy of Mind’ and ‘Ethics.’ In Philosophy of Mind we examine what consciousness might be. Consciousness is still one of the biggest mysteries of Philosophy and Science. What is the Mind? Is it a non- physical ‘soul’? What is the relationship between mind and brain? Can we create computers that think (Artificial Intelligence)? In ‘Ethics’, the rational study of morality and values, we study theories of morality. We apply these theories to things like war, crime and punishment, simulated killing (in computer games and films), and the status of animals.

Entry Requirements

Checked against your grades — every rule traces to the school's published source.

Published entry requirements compared with your results
Requirement	Rule	You
GCSE qualifications	5 gcse qualifications at grade 5.0 or above	—
Religious Studies	Grade 5 in Religious Studies (if taken)	—
Mathematics	Grade 4 in Mathematics	—
English Language	Grade 4 in English Language	—
Religious Studies Alternative route	Grade 5 in Religious Studies (if taken)	—
Mathematics Alternative route	Grade 4 in Mathematics	—
English Literature Alternative route	Grade 5 in English Literature	—