United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 12 Philosophy.
This Year 12 Philosophy programme introduces students to the foundational concepts of epistemology and moral philosophy. Students will critically analyse core philosophical arguments, evaluate theories of knowledge, and explore normative ethical frameworks in preparation for their A-level examinations.
01Epistemology: The Nature and Sources of Knowledge
An exploration of what constitutes knowledge and how it is acquired. Students will evaluate the tripartite view, perception, and reason as sources of knowledge.
Students examine the traditional definition of knowledge as justified true belief. They will evaluate Gettier cases that challenge the sufficiency of this definition.
An exploration of direct and indirect realism. Students will analyse arguments from illusion, hallucination, and perceptual variation.
Students investigate George Berkeley's claim that 'to be is to be perceived'. They will critique the rejection of mind-independent material objects.
A comparison of rationalist and empiricist approaches to innate knowledge. Students will evaluate Descartes' intuition and deduction thesis.
02Epistemology: The Limits of Knowledge
A critical look at philosophical scepticism and the limits of human understanding. Students will assess Descartes' method of doubt and empiricist responses.
An introduction to local and global scepticism. Students will differentiate between ordinary doubt and philosophical doubt.
Students analyse Descartes' three waves of doubt, including the evil demon hypothesis. They will evaluate the cogito as a foundational truth.
An examination of how empiricists like Locke, Berkeley, and Russell respond to sceptical challenges. Students will assess the reliability of sense data.
03Moral Philosophy: Normative Ethical Theories
An introduction to the three main normative ethical theories. Students will evaluate utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, and Aristotelian virtue ethics.
Students explore act, rule, and preference utilitarianism. They will evaluate the hedonistic calculus and the principle of utility.
An analysis of Kant's categorical imperative and the concept of duty. Students will apply the universalisability and humanity formulations.
Students investigate Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia and the doctrine of the mean. They will assess the role of character and practical wisdom in ethics.
04Moral Philosophy: Applied Ethics
Students apply normative ethical theories to contemporary moral issues. Topics include stealing, simulated killing, and the treatment of animals.
Students apply normative ethical theories to the issues of stealing and telling lies. They will contrast utilitarian, Kantian, and Aristotelian approaches.
An ethical evaluation of simulated killing in media such as video games and films. Students will debate the moral implications of virtual actions.
Students examine the moral status of animals and the ethics of consuming them. They will apply the three normative theories to factory farming and meat consumption.
05Moral Philosophy: Meta-ethics
An investigation into the origin and meaning of ethical concepts. Students will debate moral realism versus anti-realism and the nature of moral language.
An introduction to the view that moral properties exist mind-independently. Students will evaluate ethical naturalism and non-naturalism (Moore's intuitionism).
Students explore theories that deny the existence of objective moral facts. They will analyse Mackie's error theory and Ayer's emotivism.
A critical assessment of whether moral language can be meaningful if anti-realism is true. Students will debate the implications of nihilism.