Logic / Philosophy

Course summary

Philosophers use logic and reason to analyse how we make sense of the world and try to resolve the most enduring puzzles of human existence. Do our senses accurately describe reality? What can I know for sure? How do I know other people are having thoughts? What makes me me? These are philosophical questions, and our pupils will explore the classic responses by the great philosophers in search of the most convincing answers. Philosophy offers an exhilarating academic experience: it teaches critical thinking, close reading, clear writing, and logical analysis; it uses these to understand the language we use to describe the world, and our place within it. Although philosophical questions may seem abstract at first, pupils soon learn that philosophy helps to make society more rational, and is the intellectual foundation for progress in science, law, politics and economics. In Philosophy your teachers will never tell you the answers! Very often, there is no clear right and wrong. Rather, philosophy pupils are free to think for themselves and to work imaginatively and collaboratively to solve problems. In class, we will give you opportunities to share your ideas, argue robustly, and debate others’ views. We will train you to challenge assumptions, identify faulty logic, and above all justify your views. We will also help you to write convincing arguments which explain the nature of a philosophical problem, analyse philosophers’ responses to these, and reach a logical conclusion. Studying the history of ideas requires hard work but we believe engaging with the classic problems of philosophy is stimulating and enriching. No specific knowledge is required but it is a reading and writing-based subject, so extensive and independent research comes as standard.