3. Philosophy

150 hours - SL

240 hours - HL

Philosophy

Ponder life's big questions in a curious and critical way. How do we judge what is fair? What makes something beautiful, or ugly? And what does it mean to be human?

Bring your voice to the age-old conversation of human philosophy. Examine a philosophical text and develop your own methods of inquiring, reasoning and articulating your view.

Contemplate and interrogate philosophical concepts, ideas and arguments. Apply your philosophical thinking to the real world.

Being Human

Is there a self, and can it exist without others?

What is consciousness, and what separates humans from animals and machines?

Do humans have free will, and is individual freedom possible?

Political Philosophy

What makes a government legitimate, and what are the rights and responsibilities of the state and individual to each other?

What is the relationship between justice, freedom and equality? Is equality possible?

Are human rights universal and unalienable? Do non-humans have rights?

Aesthetics

What is art?

Is art independent of political or moral purpose?

What is an artist and who can be one?

Does art require an audience, and how do we judge beauty?

On Liberty John Stuart Mill

In-depth study of this prescribed philosophical text:

Freedom of thought, emotion and tastes
Freedom to unite
On individuality as one of the elements of well-being
On the limits to the authority of society over the individual
Object to governmental interference

HL: Philosophy and contemporary issues

Technology

What is technology, how does it impact us? What philosophical challenges arise from the development of robotics, biotechnology and information and communication technology?

The Environment

What intrinsic and extrinsic value do we place on nature? How do environmental degradation and conservation spark philosophical questions about humans' relationship to the natural world?

Philosophy

What is the nature, function, meaning and methodology of philosophy?

Assessment

Internal

Analysis of stimulus (25% SL, 20% HL) - Written, drafted analysis of non-philosophical stimulus.

External

Exam Paper 1 (50% SL, 40% HL) - Section A: Answer one of two stimulus-based questions on the core theme, 'Being Human'. Section B: Answer one (SL) or two (HL) essay questions for each optional theme 'Politics' and 'Aesthetics'.

Exam Paper 2 (25% SL, 20% HL) - Written response to Part A and Part B of one of two questions about the prescribed text On Liberty by John Stuart Mill.

Exam Paper 3 - HL only (20% HL) - Written response to Part A and Part B of a question based on an unseen text.

Standard Level / Higher Level

Higher Level students engage in the Higher Level Extension. This is a study of Philosophy and Contemporary Issues, including technology and the environment.

In Paper 1, HL students must respond to both of the essay questions for each optional theme studied.

Only HL students undertake Paper 3.

See the IB Subject Guide for Philosophy here.

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