THE 2001-20008 SPECIFICATION
AS UNIT 1-
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE (EPISTEMOLOGY)
What do we know about the world? How do we justify our knowledge claims? What is knowledge? Can we be sure that what we perceive the world to be matches reality? Be prepared to challenge many assumptions!
AS UNIT 2-
PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
Can the belief in God's existence be justified by rational argument? How does the problem of evil challenge this belief? Do miracles provide a foundation? What is religious language talking about? Religious issues are brought under a philosophical scrutiny?
AS UNIT 3-
DESCARTES' "MEDITATIONS"
A chance to engage with one of the most influential texts of modern philosophical thought. Descartes starts as an extreme sceptic, he then finds a point of certainty upon which to build arguments for the existence of God, the world and the soul itself. Will you be able to challenge him?
A2 UNIT 4-
PHILOSOPHY OF MIND
Are you a mind over and above your body, which could allow for the possibility of life after death? Or are your thinking processes merely the electro-chemical workings of the brain which will cease when the brain dies? We will explore ancient and modern theories of the mind and also consider what gives a person the same identity over the passage of time. Who is the real you?
A2 UNIT 5-
HUME'S "AN ENQUIRY CONCERNING HUMAN UNDERSTANDING"
Here you will have the chance to engage with the sceptical approach of David Hume. Hume, at worst, destroys any rational foundation and justification we have for believing in the permanent self, the external world and cause and effect. Is there anything left?
A2 UNIT 6-
SYNOPTIC STUDY
Either assess the relative contributions of two Philosophers to a major debate, or assess the impact of one Philosopher on the development of ideas within a philosophical theme. You will have two, two hour sessions to write your response under exam conditions. But don't worry, you will have had almost a year to research the areas and you will take one thousand words of notes into the exam room.
For full details of the course see the AQA website: www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gceasa/phi.html
