A Level Philosophy & Ethics (RS)

Philosophy enables students to grapple with some of the most profound questions on the planet. You will gain in-depth knowledge of the core areas of philosophy while pursuing your own interests through optional modules on the great philosophers and key philosophical topics.

Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and Maths. The ability to ask penetrating questions, to analyse and evaluate the arguments of others and to present their own arguments clearly and logically.

​​​​​​​Specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/religious-studies-h173-h573-from-2016/

Below are additional resources and a transition task to help prepare you for A level Philosophy and Ethics (Religious Studies) at Cowes Sixth Form.

Suggested Reading List

Brief Introductory Reading:

Blackburn, S. Think, OUP 2001

Craig, E. Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction, OUP 2002

Law, S. The Philosophy Files, Orion 2002; The Outer Limits, Orion 2003; The Philosophy Gym, Hodder Headline 2003

Nagel, T. What Does It All Mean?, OUP 1987 (reprinted 2004)

Warburton, N. Philosophy: The Basics (5th ed.), Routledge 2012

Philosophy:

Gaarder, J. ( 1995) Sophie’s World , London : Phoenix House

Davies, B. (1993) An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Annas, J. (1998) An Introduction to Plato’s Republic, Oxford: Oxford University Press, (particularly Chapters 9-10)

Ethics:

Vardy, P.(1999) The Puzzle of Ethics, SCM Press

Norman, R. (1998) The Moral Philosophers, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Religious Thought:

McGrath, A. (2015) Christianity: An Introduction, Blackwell Publishing.