Exploring some of the biggest questions facing humankind, our home study AQA A-level Philosophy course will introduce you to ideas from some of the greatest minds to have contributed towards Western thinking throughout history.
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What is right and wrong? Does God exist? What is the mind? A-level Philosophy will challenge you to think deeply about some of life’s most profound questions, as you investigate and debate them. You’ll learn how to be open-minded, think independently and weigh up evidence on both sides of an argument.
Through the exploration of key ideas that have challenged philosophers for centuries, this AQA A-level Philosophy course will introduce you to key ideas from some of the greatest minds to have contributed to Western thinking.
What you will learn
Unit 1 - Epistemology
What is knowledge?
The Tripartite View
Perception as a source of knowledge
Reason as a source of knowledge
Indirect realism
Berkeley’s idealism
Innatism
Intuition and deduction thesis
Descartes’ Theory of Ideas
The limits of knowledge
Unit 2 - Moral philosophy
Normative ethical theories
Kantian deontological ethics
Aristotelian virtue ethics
Applied ethics
Meta-Ethics
Unit 3 - Metaphysics of God
The nature and concept of God
Arguments relating to the existence of God
Teleological / Design arguments
Cosmological arguments and criticisms
The problem of ‘evil’
Religious language
Unit 4 - Metaphysics of Mind
What do we mean by ‘mind’?
Dualist theories
Physicalist theories
Mind-Brain Type Identity Theory
Eliminative materialism
Functionalism
Unit 5 - Exam Preparation
Practice Paper 1
Practice Paper 2
Awarding Body
AQA qualifications are internationally recognised and taught in 30 countries around the world, highly valued by employers and universities and enable young people to progress to the next stage of their lives. AQA qualifications suit a range of abilities and include GCSE courses, IGCSE courses and A-level courses.
Recognised through UCAS
This course carries UCAS points. This means that it can be used to gain direct access to University courses and other Higher Education, through the UCAS system.
Course Outcome
Upon successful completion of this home learning course, you will receive the qualification: A-level Philosophy, issued by AQA. Your certificate is identical to that issued to students at any other school, college or university.
This syllabus (7172) has been chosen specifically because it is best suited to distance learning.
How is this course assessed or examined?
You can enrol now for A-level Philosophy examinations for Summer 2024.
You will be required to complete the two written exams:
Paper 1: 3 hours, 50% of A-level, 100 marks.
Paper 2: 3 hours, 50% of A-level, 100 marks.
Entry requirements
It’s recommended that you’re educated to GCSE standard or equivalent for the best chance at success. This AQA A-level Philosophy syllabus is a difficulty level three: the equivalent difficulty of an A-level or BTEC, usually suitable for most learners of all ages.
For 10+ years,my passionfor helping learners develop and grow has driven my career as a teacher.To help me progress even further, I am currently studying to achieve the IQA award.I love reading and I'm a self-professed Harry Potter fan. Talk to me about all things history, rock music, tattoos and true crime podcasts.
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My 30-year stride in education started with childminding, to working with pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I then tutored in a national reading programme and went on to become a Higher-Level TA. I’m elated to say I graduated with a First-Class BA Honours Degree when I was 50 – living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams!
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