Would you rather never be able to speak again or always have to say everything that is on your mind?

A-Level Philosophy Welcome Week

Who teaches A-Level Philosophy? Mr A Harris BA Philosophy, University of Leeds (2006) Subject leader for RE & Philosophy Likes: Huddersfield Town and Beyonce Dislikes: Milky tea

Year 13 - Metaphysics of God Year 12 - Epistemology What we learn... Year 12 - Ethics Normative Ethics Utilitarianism Deontology Aristotelian Virtue Ethics Applied Ethics Meta-ethics Year 13 - Metaphysics of God The concept and nature of God Arguments relating to the existence of God Religious language Year 12 - Epistemology What is Knowledge? Perception as a source of knowledge Reason as a source of knowledge Year 13 - Metaphysics of Mind What do we mean by mind? Dualist theories Physicalists theories Functionalism

Examination 2x 3 hour exams in year 13 for the full A-Level http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/philosophy/AQA-71721-SQP.PDF You need to be able to… Define philosophical vocabulary Outline and explain philosophical arguments and the responses to them Compare and contrast philosophical positions Apply ethical theories to real world situations Analyse and evaluate philosophical positions and present a convincing argument for your own views

How we learn... Classwork Regular short answer tests Group discussion Chunked Lectures Timed essay questions Independent Work Weekly philosophical reading and comprehension questions Ongoing revision activities Further study for A/A* candidates

How will I be successful? Hit the ground running… It’s a good idea to read a general introduction to philosophy over the summer. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philosophy-Basics-Nigel-Warburton/dp/0415693160 (Introduction, God, Right and Wrong, Appearance & Reality and Mind) Get organised... Liner paper, index cards, highlighters, lined paper Prepare for the challenge… This is one of the most difficult A-Levels but also one of the most rewarding. You will get what you put in. “We are what we pretend to be”, Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

What is an argument?

What is an argument? An argument is a reasoned inference from one set of claims – the premises – to another claim – the conclusion. The premises provide reasons to believe that the conclusion is true. If the premises are true, then the conclusion is more likely to be true.

Is this a good argument? All philosophers are handsome Descartes is a philosopher Therefore, 3. Descartes is handsome

Is this a good argument? It is raining in Spain My Auntie’s feet hurt when it is raining Therefore, 3. My Auntie is in Spain

Evaluating Arguments There are two main weaknesses you can identify in an argument: 1. One of the premises is false and therefore the argument as a whole fails. OR 2. The premise(s) provided in the argument do not make it likely/necessary that the conclusion is true.