Philosophy and Ethics

Summary

The Religious Education A level course follows the syllabus set by OCR. Students study three main areas:

  1. Philosophy of Religion
  2. Religion and Ethics
  3. Developments in Christian Thought

Throughout the course students develop their skills of analysis and evaluation while they grapple with philosophical and theological concepts. Students are given occasion to really delve into the meaning of life and human existence. The course has an excellent uptake throughout the school and builds upon the many years of study which students undertake prior to sixth form. The examinations are all essay based and require a good standard of writing. This course requires lateral thinking and problem-solving skills and develops a good grounding in morality.

Summary:

Students study philosophical language and thought, and issues and questions raised by belief including ancient philosophical influences, the nature of the soul, mind and body, arguments about the existence or non-existence of God, the nature and impact of religious experience, the challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil, ideas about the nature of God and issues in religious language.  Students can expect to think hard, debate ideas and learn the all-important and transferable skills of analysis and evaluation.

 

Autumn

Spring

Summer
  • Ancient Philosophical Influences
  • Soul, Mind and Body
  • Natural Law
  • Augustine on Human Nature
  • Situation Ethics
  • Death and Afterlife
  • Arguments Based on Observation
  • Kantian Ethics
  • Knowledge of God’s Existence
  • Arguments Based on Reason
  • Utilitarianism
  • Jesus Christ
  • Religious Experience
  • Euthanasia
  • Christian Moral Principles
  • The Problem of Evil
  • Christian Moral Actions – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Summary:

RE A level takes students on a journey into the theology of the Catholic faith and the thinking which has shaped entire civilisations. Students have the privilege of being able to study about one of the most influential doctors of the Church in St. Augustine. Students also have the opportunity to look at how Christianity has developed in a post-modern society. Whether it is answering questions about what the Church teaches on life after death, the role of women, other religions, or the origins of evil; there certainly is something for everyone to enjoy in Christian Thought at A level.

 

Autumn

Spring

Summer
  • The Nature or Attributes of God
  • Business Ethics
  • Religious Pluralism and Theology
  • Religious Pluralism and Society
  • Religious Language: Negative, Analogical or Symbolic
  • Meta-ethical Theories
  • Twentieth Century Perspectives and Philosophical Comparisons
  • Conscience
  • Gender and Society
  • Sexual Ethics
  • Gender and Theology
  • The Challenge of Secularism
  • Liberation Theology and Marx

Useful websites:

Formed.org

Word on fire

Ascension Presents

Pints with Aquinas

St. Paul Centre for Biblical Theology

EWTN