Socrates famously declared: ‘The unexamined life is not worth living’ and philosophy & theology is an opportunity to explore the oldest and most important questions human beings have ever asked: ‘What is true?’ and ‘What is right or good?’ These are timeless questions that have troubled some of the greatest thinkers in human history. Philosophy is a journey through the best that has been thought and written in the West from the Greek philosophy of Plato and Aristotle all the way through to Russell and Ryle and 20-21st century analytic philosophy. Pupils will learn from these great minds the important difference between opinion, simple argument and genuine critical thought. With the great philosopher Kant, for example, we discuss the limits to human reason. Pupils follow the AQA philosophy specification. The philosophy course is intended to allow pupils to think rigorously about fundamental questions of truth and human understanding. It is also intended to introduce pupils to the academic study of philosophy. There are four main areas of study – epistemology (theory of knowledge); moral philosophy; metaphysics of God and the metaphysics of mind. Through an exploration of these issues, together with a detailed study of some of the texts which have influenced the western intellectual heritage, pupils will be prepared for the study of philosophy at university, or any other subject which requires rigorous thinking and the analysis of complex ideas. Specific topics for study include Plato and Aristotle, rationalism and empiricism, moral absolutism and relativism, the inspiration of scripture, conscience, free will and determinism. In addition, pupils will study utilitarianism, virtue ethics, Kant, situation ethics, natural law, as well as the ethical issues surrounding the environment, war, business, euthanasia and abortion. In common with all reformed A-levels the exams are taken at the end of the two year course. Such a linear approach is ideally suited to a subject of this kind, since it gives candidates the opportunity to develop a full and mature understanding of the topics.
Entrance requirements include a GCSE predicted average of 6 or above and 7-9 in subjects planned for A-level.
We will be studying AQA Philosophy (7172). There will be one paper on each module (two in total), each paper lasting three hours. In common with other A-levels, all papers will be taken at the end of the Upper Sixth year.
About Education Provider
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | East Sussex |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Day £28,710 - £29,265; Boarding £43,740 - £44,415 |
| Sixth Form Fee | Unknown |
| Address | Headmaster's House, Old Wish Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4JX |
Socrates famously declared: ‘The unexamined life is not worth living’ and philosophy & theology is an opportunity to explore the oldest and most important questions human beings have ever asked: ‘What is true?’ and ‘What is right or good?’ These are timeless questions that have troubled some of the greatest thinkers in human history. Philosophy is a journey through the best that has been thought and written in the West from the Greek philosophy of Plato and Aristotle all the way through to Russell and Ryle and 20-21st century analytic philosophy. Pupils will learn from these great minds the important difference between opinion, simple argument and genuine critical thought. With the great philosopher Kant, for example, we discuss the limits to human reason. Pupils follow the AQA philosophy specification. The philosophy course is intended to allow pupils to think rigorously about fundamental questions of truth and human understanding. It is also intended to introduce pupils to the academic study of philosophy. There are four main areas of study – epistemology (theory of knowledge); moral philosophy; metaphysics of God and the metaphysics of mind. Through an exploration of these issues, together with a detailed study of some of the texts which have influenced the western intellectual heritage, pupils will be prepared for the study of philosophy at university, or any other subject which requires rigorous thinking and the analysis of complex ideas. Specific topics for study include Plato and Aristotle, rationalism and empiricism, moral absolutism and relativism, the inspiration of scripture, conscience, free will and determinism. In addition, pupils will study utilitarianism, virtue ethics, Kant, situation ethics, natural law, as well as the ethical issues surrounding the environment, war, business, euthanasia and abortion. In common with all reformed A-levels the exams are taken at the end of the two year course. Such a linear approach is ideally suited to a subject of this kind, since it gives candidates the opportunity to develop a full and mature understanding of the topics.
Entrance requirements include a GCSE predicted average of 6 or above and 7-9 in subjects planned for A-level.
We will be studying AQA Philosophy (7172). There will be one paper on each module (two in total), each paper lasting three hours. In common with other A-levels, all papers will be taken at the end of the Upper Sixth year.