PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY
The study of Philosophy appeals to those who like to think about things other people take for granted . The aim of the course is to enable a student to think and write like a philosopher : with clarity , originality and depth .
Students are required to study philosophical questions and problems grouped into themes ; to explore in detail one major text in Philosophy ; and to respond philosophically to different stimuli .
Elements of the course The Core theme asks what it means to be human , and offers different perspectives on issues such as the self , personal identity and consciousness .
Other themes include Ethics , the Philosophy of Religion , and Political Philosophy . Higher Level candidates study the core and two optional themes ; Standard Level candidates study the core and one optional theme .
All candidates study one classic text from a list that includes Descartes ’ Meditations , Mill ’ s On Liberty and Nietzsche ’ s The Genealogy of Morals .
All students complete a coursework essay exploring the philosophical implications of a nonphilosophical stimulus ( perhaps song lyrics or a cartoon ; a movie script or a piece of art ). Higher Level candidates also develop their understanding of Philosophy as an activity in an additional paper .
THE IB AT SEVENOAKS | GROUP THREE 25