1. Philosophy and Ethics

2. Welcome to GCE Philosophy and Ethics
By the end of this course you will:
Appreciate the contribution of philosophy and ethics to the understanding of the wider world.
Develop transferable skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, negotiating, communication and expressing complex ideas.
These qualities and attitudes will equip you for the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of adult and working life.
Transferable skills, university quotes about philosophy/religion

3. Is Philosophy and Ethics a respected A Level?
The Russell Group of top universities has made it clear that RS A level provides ‘suitable preparation for University generally’. Cambridge and Oxford list Philosophy and Ethics as a suitable ‘arts’ A Level alongside History, Geography and English Literature. In fact 20% of students admitted to Oxford University to study maths in 2012 had a Philosophy and Ethics A level (more than those with Economics, Physics and Business Studies A levels).

4. Is Philosophy and Ethics a respected A Level?
“Employers have discovered that a mind sharpened by the study of Philosophy is ideal for today’s work place.”
Please choose ONE key reason why you think students would enjoy, or be successful, on this course…

5. GCE Philosophy and Ethics
“We have seen the consequences of people not thinking through the consequences of their actions and not testing their assumptions. Smart employers want people who can see ahead.”
Institute of Philosophy at University of London.
Please choose ONE key reason why you think students would enjoy, or be successful, on this course…

6. Where can Philosophy and Ethics A Level take me?
The skills that you will learn in Religious Studies will be useful to you in any number of careers:
Teaching
Youth work
Social work
Journalism
Lawyer
Charity work
Anthroplogy
Civil service
Counsellor

7. Economics A Level: Assessment Exam board: Assessment: Percentage:
Detail:
Examination
100%
2 exams sat at the end of Year 13.
Paper 1: 1hr 30 mins (50%)
Paper 2: 1 hr 30 mins (50%)
Coursework -
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8. What will I study? Christianity Key Christian beliefs
Religious figures and sacred texts
Social and Historical developments in religious thought
How religion shapes personal identity
Philosophy Themes
Arguments for the existence of God
Challenges to religious belief
Religion as a product of the human mind
Religious Experiences, i.e. mysticism, visions, miracles
Ethics Themes
Influences on moral decision making
Is morality intuitive?
What determines if an action is good/bad, right/wrong?
Are actions predetermined or do we have free will?
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9. Commitment GCE Philosophy and Ethics What skills are needed?
An ability to think critically
An ability to present a reasoned argument
Application skills to relate real world events to philosophical and ethical theory
To present your own opinion clearly and coherently
Essay writing skills
Expectations and workload
3 internal formal assessments completed per academic year
2 to 3 homework assignments completed per week (essays, research or readings)
High level of independent reading to support classroom learning
An intrinsic interest in current affairs and appreciation of the diversity of the culture we live in.

10. The Trolley Scenario
"Suppose you are the driver of a trolley. The trolley rounds a bend, and there come into view ahead five track workmen, who have been repairing the track. The track goes through a bit of a valley at that point, and the sides are steep, so you must stop the trolley if you are to avoid running the five men down. You step on the brakes, but alas they don't work. Now you suddenly see a spur of track leading off to the right. You can turn the trolley onto it, and thus save the five men on the straight track ahead. Unfortunately,...there is one track workman on that spur of track. He can no more get off the track in time than the five can, so you will kill him if you turn the trolley onto him"
(Thomson 1985, 1395).
What do you think would be the correct thing to do in this situation- why?
Trolley scenario 10

11. Option 1
Throw the switch in order to maximize well-being (five people surviving is greater than one)
Utilitarianism
Utilitarians believe the most ethical course of action is the one that offers the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Utilitarians value consequence over action.
Trolley scenario 11

12. Option 2
Throw the switch because you are a virtuous person, and saving five lives is the type of charitable and compassionate act a virtuous person performs
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethicists determine ethicality by considering the character or natural tendencies of a person as opposed to their actions or the consequences of their actions
Trolley scenario 12

13. Option 3
Do not throw the switch because that would be a form of killing, and killing is inherently wrong
Deontology
"Deontology...is an approach to ethics that focuses on the rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, as opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the consequences of those actions"
Trolley scenario 13

14. Option 4
Do not throw the switch because you are a Christian, and the Ten Commandments teach that killing is against the will of God.
Divine Command Theory
Divine command theorists believe the only ethical and moral courses of action are those that coincide with the will or command of God.
Trolley scenario 14

15. Can we ever know if God exists? Why?

16. Should religion have ultimate authority?

17. If miracles are possible, why does God choose to help some people and not others?
Do Handout for students/parents

18. The role of religion: is it a projection of need or used as a tool to oppress the poor?
Do Handout for students/parents

19. GCE Philosophy and Ethics
Department contact details
Mrs Sherrie Docherty (PD)
2015/16 Department Performance
75% of students achieved an A*-C grade at the end of Year 13
91% of student achieved an A-C grade at the end of Year 12
Course requirements
College entry requirements
Essential: Grade ‘5’ in GCSE English Literature and Language
Desirable: B grade in GCSE Philosophy and Ethics
Example student destinations
History – Oxford University
Philosophy – University of Nottingham
Forensic Science – Staffordshire University
Politics – Sheffield University
Social Anthropology – Edinburgh University
Criminology – Derby University
Psychology – University of York

20. GCE Philosophy and Ethics Enrichment
Conference at Cambridge University
Please choose ONE key reason why you think students would enjoy, or be successful, on this course…
Also students will have opportunity to take part in cross-curricular trip to Paris with students from MFL, Geography, History and Law

21. Favourite part of the course
I like having lively debates in lesson – we all think different things and it’s interesting to hear other opinions, especially in ethics when we all think differently!
I like the unusual tasks we do like making a rap about creationism or looking at baby photographs to help us think about personal identity.
Please choose ONE key reason why you think students would enjoy, or be successful, on this course…
My favourite part of Philosophy it that it doesn’t tell me what to think, but how to think. This is the main reason I have chosen to do it at university.

22. Philosophy and Ethics