1. Philosophy
Transition Year

2. What is Philosophy?
Philosophy comes from the Greek word ‘Philosophia’ – meaning ‘love of wisdom’ – therefore, it is the study of knowledge and wisdom itself
Humans have always wondered about the nature of our universe and our place within it
- all philosophy begins in wonder
Philosophy aims to make clear the nature of the universe and the nature and meaning of our lives

3. What is Philosophy?
Philosophy can be broken up into the following areas: METAPHYSICS (the study of being and the universe) LOGIC (the study of reasoning) ETHICS (the study of moral behaviour) ANTHROPOLOGY (the study of human nature) EPISTEMOLOGY (the study of knowledge) SOCIAL & POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (the study of liberty, justice, rights and the law) PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (the study of the nature of religion) AESTHETICS (the study of the nature of art and beauty)

4. Origins of Philosophy
Philosophy has its origins in Greece, in the fifth & sixth centuries BCE

5. Origins of Philosophy
Humans began to ask deeper questions about the meaning of life
Thinkers like Thales, Heraclitus and Anaximenes began to reflect on our existence
These men became known as the ‘natural’ philosophers or ‘pre-Socratic’ philosophers

6. Origins of Philosophy Thales believed everything came from water
Heraclitus believed everything came from fire
Anaximenes believed everything came from air

7. Why study Philosophy?
As a teenager, you are, by nature, a natural philosopher. During adolescence, you open your minds up to many larger questions – philosophy will aid you in this
You are forced to face the hypocrisy within society and face many difficult moral dilemmas
Philosophy questions the opinions that you are exposed to on a daily basis, from family, friends, teachers, society and the media
You are essentially concerned with the development of your own identity – this is central to philosophy

8. Why study Philosophy?
Philosophical thinking is good for you. Some people like it and some people do not, but everyone should learn how to do it, because it helps you figure out what life is all about
The goal of studying philosophy is not to identify final answers that everyone should accept, but to explore different answers
Try to take a critical attitude towards all philosophical positions/claims – QUESTION EVERYTHING

9. Why study Philosophy?
All human beings – consciously or unconsciously – philosophise or have a philosophy of life
Philosophy helps to develop one’s critical thinking skills, which employers look for when seeking new employees
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Philosophy is central to all subjects in the Humanities . . .

10. History
PHILOSOPHY
Theology
Maths & the Sciences
Literature & the Arts

11. Course Content
Ancient and Medieval philosophers SOCRATES PLATO ST. AUGUSTINE

12. Course Content The Enlightenment thinkers
DESCARTES LOCKE HEGEL ROUSSEAU

13. Course Content The Existentialist & Political thinkers
KIERKEGAARD MARX NIETZSCHE CAMUS

14. Course Content
Ethics: Ethical dilemmas - The Justification of Punishment, Freedom of Expression & Censorship MILL

15. Philosophy website
There is a Philosophy website, which you can access via the school website: – click on ‘Department Sites’ and click on Philosophy
Details of projects, presentations/videos shown in class will be posted on this website