: A Level Philosophy and Ethics

Exam Board: OCR

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Further information available from: Miss Roach

Course requirements: All students must have at least a Grade 5 in English. A GCSE in Religious Studies is not required, but would be advantageous.

What is Philosophy and Ethics and why take it?

The Religious Studies department’s A Level Philosophy and Ethics curriculum course consists of three units: Philosophy, Religion & Ethics and Developments in Christian thought. Philosophy deals with the big questions humans ask, such as “Does God exist?” While Ethics looks at how humans make important decisions, such as “What is right?” Developments in Christian thought examines how the religion has developed and its relationship with society.

Do we still need religion?

Philosophy and Ethics explores those ‘big questions’ about life, the universe and everything! As such it can inform and enrich your life. Philosophy students acquire a number of skills that will never date, that will be useful across other subject areas, and that are transferable to a wide range of professions. Don’t think that because philosophy is about finding answers to interesting and difficult questions it cannot prepare you well for a professional career, or set you in good stead for Higher Education courses. When you study Philosophy and Religious Ethics, by inquiring into such diverse phenomena as language, science, law, morality and religion, you will acquire a whole range of abilities, such as being able to argue a point of view, sharpening your logic, developing your articulacy, and enhancing your problem solving skills.

What topics will be studied?

Philosophy of Religion

How did some of the first philosophers, the Ancient Greeks, explain the world? Is God real? If so, then what is He?

Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Can something exist that has no beginning?

Can we actually talk about God in a meaningful way?

Religious Ethics

How can we know what is morally good?

What is the conscience and should it decide what we do? Is an action always morally right or wrong?

What does good even mean?

Development in Christian thought

Are Christian morals still applicable in society today? Do we even need religion? Who was Jesus?

What role does gender play in society and in religion?

How is the A Level course examined?

For each unit there is a 2 hour written examination during which candidates will answer 3 essay questions from a choice of four. There is no coursework in Philosophy and Ethics.