Philosophy, Ethics & Religion
Socrates is believed to have said,
“the unexamined life is not worth living!”
The A level course in Philosophy, Ethics and Religion encourages you to examine questions that human beings have been asking from the beginning of time - who are we? What are we here for? How do we know anything?
By doing so you will build your critical thinking skills, enabling you to craft arguments for yourself and communicate your thoughts effectively. It is a challenging course, with plenty of opportunities for discussion on contemporary issues, which students find stimulating and enriching!
Entry Requirements
GCSE grade 5 in English
GCSE grade 5 in RE
What will I Study?
Year 12
Philosophy of Religion:
Arguments for the existence of God: The Design Argument, The Ontological Argument and The Cosmological Argument.
Evil and Suffering
Religious Experience
Ethics and Religion:
Normative Ethical Theories: Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics and Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics
Application of Ethical Theories: Medical Ethics
Christianity
In component 2 of the specification: Study of the Christian Religion, this section has five parts that will be divided between both the Ethics teacher and the Philosophy of Religion teacher. They include:
Sources of wisdom and authority;
God;
Self, death and afterlife;
Good conduct and key moral principles;
Expression of religious identity.
When studying these sections students will develop understanding on the Philosophy and Ethics units as the specification makes an organic link between its three parts: Christianity, Philosophy of religion and Ethics within the Dialogues section.
Year 13
Philosophy of Religion:
Religious Language
Miracles
Self, death and afterlife
Ethics and Religion:
Introduction to Meta-ethics
Free will and moral responsibility
Conscience
Bentham and Kant
Christianity and Dialogues:
In this section students will explore a range of areas that link both moral issues and Christian teachings. Students will explore Christian teachings on these areas and implement philosophical and ethical arguments/teachings to support or criticise. The areas students study are:
Christianity, gender and sexuality;
Christianity and science;
Christianity and the challenge of secularisation;
Christianity, migration and religious pluralism;
Dialogues between Christianity and Philosophy;
Dialogues between Christianity and Ethics.
Which exam board is used and how will I be assessed?
The exam board is AQA
Click here to access the exam board web page
There will be 2 papers at the end of year 13. Each will be 3 hours long and be worth 50% each.
Paper one consists of Philosophy and Ethics
Paper two consists of Christianity and Dialogues
There will be two types of questions; AO1 which assesses knowledge and understanding and A02 which assesses your ability to evaluate.
All questions require an essay style answer.
Where could this subject take me?
The skills you will acquire through studying philosophy, ethics and religion are hugely sought after by both higher education and employers, particularly in the areas of law, education, social work, politics, medicine, administration, and the media. Apart from rigorous academic skills you will also develop essential interpersonal skills such as listening, communication, empathy, which will benefit any career which involves working with other people.
How can I get ahead in this subject
Read everything you can get your hands on! Philosophical and ethical issues are around us all the time so it is also essential to keep up with current affairs by watching the news and reading news websites.
When you start the course you can ask your teacher to sign you up to the Candle Conferences ‘Stepping Up’ online transition course
Great podcasts include:
The Panpsycast
The RE Podcast
In Our Time, Philosophy (BBC Radio 4)
Brilliant TV shows, including:
The Good Place
Black Mirror
Textbooks and revision guides can be bought online or through school:
Textbook
Revision guide
Related Courses
Discover complementary subjects that enhance your learning, broaden your skills, and open up exciting future study and career opportunities.
Physics
A Level
The A Level Physics curriculum aims to inspire curiosity, develop critical thinking, and deepen understanding of the fundamental principles that govern the physical world. Through a balanced blend of
Health & Social Care
BTEC
This qualification is part of the suite of Health and Social Care qualifications offered by Pearson. The course aims to give students wanting to enter into the sector the basis for degree level
English Literature
A Level
Our students will move from initial readings to more in-depth consideration of some engaging and thought provoking texts across the two year programme of study. The texts have been chosen for maximum
Maths
A Level
The A Level course builds upon the ideas that have been learnt and understood at GCSE as well as advancing into the modelling applications of mathematics. A Level Maths aims to develop analytic
Spanish
A Level
The A Level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. It constitutes an integrated study with a focus on language, culture and society. It fosters a range of
History
A Level
The A Level course in History aims to expand on the knowledge and skills you have developed up to Key Stage 4. During the course you will study a range of different themes and countries, over various
Geography
A Level
The A Level Geography course aims to expand on students’ understanding of the subject from KS4. During the course we will cover a variety of geographical concepts and processes from the disciplines
Law
A Level
A Level Law is a rigorous and fascinating subject that gives you an in-depth understanding of how the legal system in England and Wales works, and how law impacts everyday life. It's not just about
Criminology Level 3 Applied Diploma
Level 3 Applied Diploma
Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals, including the motivations and consequences of crime and its perpetrators, as well as preventative measures. The Level 3 Applied Diploma in
Government and Politics
A Level
A Level Government and Politics provides a deep and analytical exploration of political structures, ideas, and processes, both domestically and internationally. The course is highly academic and
Sociology
Sociology is the scientific study of society and human behaviour. It focuses on social relationships and interactions between people and is concerned with the influence of institutions on our