Philosophy
Elective subject
Why Study Philosophy?
Do you enjoy asking big questions? Exploring ideas with others? Thinking carefully about what is true and what matters?
Philosophy invites you into a shared search for understanding. It is not about “winning” arguments, but about listening closely, thinking clearly, and working with others to deepen your ideas. You will learn to test your thinking, remain open to challenge, and refine your views over time.
Philosophical thinking shapes how people understand the world and their place within it. It underpins discussions about artificial intelligence, human rights, identity, and the future. It also explores how these ideas are represented in storytelling, including through film study.
Course Content
The Year 8 course focuses on developing key philosophical skills, including questioning, concept exploration, and reasoning. Students take an active role in selecting and exploring questions connected to personal, social and global issues, learning collaboratively from great thinkers whose ideas have shaped the world.
At its core, philosophy explores questions such as:
- What is real?
- What can we know?
- How should we live?
- What does it mean to be human?
- Can we trust our senses?
- Can we ever be certain about anything?
- Do we have a mind separate from our body?
- Could reality be an illusion?
- What makes a life meaningful?
Assessment
A varied assessment program gives students the opportunity to build their knowledge and skills and share their thinking in different ways:
- Community of Inquiry
- Extended response
- Viva voce
- Personal interest project
