What is it all about?

In PLE (Philosophy and Ethics) we aim to provide opportunities for young people to develop their sense of identity through knowledge and understanding of their spiritual, moral, social and cultural heritages, and to help students to be responsible and caring citizens capable of contributing to the development of a just society.

When students enter into a philosophical enquiry about these concepts, they can develop new ways of thinking and start to learn more about themselves and their place in the world around them.

Socrates once said: “To find yourself, think for yourself.”

PLE offers students the opportunity to ask questions about the things in their world that puzzle them, e.g. ‘Which came first – the chicken or the egg?’

Ethical questions examine whether it would even be right to eat chickens and eggs, and together Philosophy and Ethics promotes an enquiring mind and the ability to think rationally and logically.

Philosophical questions have the scope for individuals to use their own judgements, developed through learning good thinking skills such as clearly identifying a problem, using reason, and evaluating the ends and means of a problem. These types of questions will examine the issues more broadly and deeply in order to find a satisfactory answer. Philosophy develops thinking skills related to broader life skills that include alertness, curiosity, tenacity, accuracy and flexibility – all of which are especially useful in the moral field, where responsibility and justice need to be explored and examined with care.

Philosophy and Ethics will help students to improve their ability to negotiate with one another through raising and building on ideas; by being more effective in group work and collaboration; by developing greater self-confidence, articulacy and self-expression; and by improving concentration and thinking skills.

By examining religious beliefs and non-religious beliefs through philosophical enquiry, students can make their own transitions from an egocentric ethic to a responsible ethic based on the consideration of justice and the care of others.

“True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves and the world around us.”   The Wisdom of Socrates.

What can you do with a qualification in Philosophy and Ethics?

Careers include:

 Subject Leader: Mr M Roche (mroche@fortpitt.medway.sch.uk)

Curriculum Content

Key Stage 3

Year 7

• Aspects of Christianity
• Aspects of Hinduism
• Aspects of Judaism
• Good Samaritans
• Aspects of Sikhism
• What it means to be a human.

Year 8

• Aspects of Buddhism
• Aspects of Islam
• Famous Christians
• Who are we?
• Philosophical concepts

Key Stage 4

Exam Board: Edexcel

Year 9

• Media and Current Affairs
• Behaviour in Society
• Prejudice and Discrimination
• Disabilities
• Animals and Religion
• Belief in God

Year 10

• GCSE Belief in God
• GCSE Matters of Life and Death
• GCSE Marriage and the Family
• GCSE Community Cohesion

Year 11

• GCSE Social Responsibility
• GCSE Religion and the Environment
• GCSE War and Peace
• GCSE Crime and Punishment

Key Stage 5

Exam Board: Edexcel

Year 12

AS Level Philosophy:

• The Cosmological Argument
• The Teleological Argument
• The Problem of Evil
• Miracles

AS Level Ethics:

• Religion and Morality
• Utilitarianism
• Situation Ethics
• War and Peace
• Sexual Ethics

Year 13

A2 Level Philosophy:

• The Ontological Argument
• Religious Experiences
• Life After Death
• Religious Language
• Atheism

A2 Level Ethics:

• Critiques of religion and morality
• Deontology
• Virtue Ethics
• Emotivism
• Justice, Law and Punishment.