Philosophy involves thinking rigorously about ideas and exploring concepts related to ethics, the nature of reality, the nature of knowledge, and logic and reasoning. VCE Philosophy is primarily focused on Western Philosophy and covers topics that have been discussed as far back as Ancient Greece and continue to be relevant today.
PHILOSOPHY, EXISTENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
The course begins by introducing students to the nature of arguments and logic. Students will develop their understanding of logic and practice developing strong, logical arguments, as well as identifying and evaluating the strength of arguments being made by others.
Unit 1 Philosophy covers two key Areas of Study, Metaphysics and Epistemology.
Metaphysics is the study of nature of reality and involves analysing questions such as: What is the mind and how could it/does it exist? Do we exist as purely physical entities or as a combination of physical and non-physical entities? Does God exist and, if so, how does God interact with the world? Is the world around me real? Does free will exist?
Epistemology is the study of the nature of knowledge and what it means to say we know something. It involves questions such as: What is the difference between concepts like knowledge, truth, and belief? Are we born with some base knowledge, or are we born as blank slates? Is science the best form of knowledge?
QUESTIONS OF VALUE
Unit 2 Philosophy covers two key Areas of Study, Ethics and Moral Philosophy, and Further Problems in Value Theory.
Ethics and Moral Philosophy introduces students to the concept of what it is to be morally good. It covers questions such as: Where do our moral beliefs come from? Is objective morality possible? Is it possible to achieve true altruism? Is it the motive of the person acting, or the result of their actions, that makes an act morally right?
Further Problems in Value Theory will involve the study of other key questions relating to philosophy and can include topics such as aesthetics, rights and justice, and liberty and anarchy.
In Units 1 and 2 students will be guided through a selection of topics and encouraged to develop their own arguments in relation to these ideas. During the course, students will be introduced to the writing of different philosophers through the ages and analyse and evaluate the arguments they present in relation to the topics discussed.
Unit 1 and 2 also include Areas of Study related to an introduction to philosophical enquiry where, throughout the year, students will be introduced to the basic elements of creating and critiquing arguments and the common fallacies people commit when presenting an argument.
Assessments
All assessments for Units 1 & 2 are school based. Tasks will be selected from the following:
- an essay
- a written analysis
- short-answer responses
- a written reflection
- presentations (oral, multimedia)
- a dialogue (oral, written)
- a research task.
THE GOOD LIFE
Area of Study 1: The good life and the individual
This Area of Study involves an analysis of arguments related to the way we should live our lives. It covers the role of happiness, pleasure and pain, love and friendship as well as other key facets to do with the good life. It will involve a discussion of human nature and whether human life has a unique purpose.
Area of Study 2: The good life and others
This Area of Study involves an investigation into the way others interact with and impact our ability to lead a good life. It investigates questions like: what obligations, if any, do we have to others? What is the role of rights and justice in the good life? What does a good life have to do with being morally good? What is the relationship between the good for the individual and the good for others?
Throughout Unit 3, students will investigate the topic by studying the works of Allen, Aristotle, de Beauvoir, Cicero, Mill, Nietzsche, Plato, Singer, Weil and Wolf.
ON BELIEVING
Area of Study 1: Foundations of belief
This Area of Study asks students to explore philosophical questions relating to the interpersonal aspects of belief formation and the interrelationship between believing well and living well. Students investigate questions like: What role should experience, testimony and expertise play in the formation of and justification for belief? What responsibilities, if any, do we have to ourselves and others regarding belief, belief formation and justification? In what circumstances should we trust assertions made by others? What should we do in light of others holding beliefs that disagree with our beliefs?
Area of Study 2: Contemporary Applications
This Area of Study asks students to analyse two case studies from two contexts. The contexts include: silencing, exclusion and cancelling, misinformation, disinformation and echo chambers, and, truth, trust, credibility and expertise. Students will analyse the case study alongside the arguments and ideas presented in the set texts from Area of Study 1.
Throughout Unit 4, students will investigate the topic by studying the works of Clifford, Elizabeth Fricker, Miranda Fricker, Mill, Nguyen, and Peirce.
Student Point of View
Assessments
SACs for Units 3&4 are school based. Tasks will be selected from the following:
- an essay
- a written analysis
- extended written responses to a stimulus
- short-answer responses
- a written reflection
- presentations (oral, multimedia)
- a dialogue (oral, written)
Philosophy also has an end of year exam worth 50% of the final mark.
What type of student should study Philosophy?
All of us have done Philosophy in one form or another during our lives. Fundamentally, Philosophy is about asking the question, why? The subject is suited to student who have a natural curiosity about the world they live in and the way they behave within that world. Importantly, philosophy is designed to assist students in developing their own views and arguments, so it is best suited to students with an open mind and those who are willing to questions their own views, and the views of others.
Unit 3&4 Philosophy students need to enjoy reading about the ideas presented by others and formulating their own perspectives on key issues. The classes will involve lots of discussion and debate, so students with an open mind and a willingness to challenge each other will thrive in the subject.
Studies in VCE PHILOSOPHY can lead to study and career options in the following areas:
The study of VCE Philosophy can lead to further studies and pathways related to a wide variety of subject areas. Students who study Philosophy further develop transferable skills such as written communication, problem solving, and capacity for working in groups with others. Students who study courses related to medicine, law, business, and economics will be required to complete ethics units (a core focus in VCE Philosophy) as part of their tertiary studies. Students who wish to pursue courses in fields such as writing, and politics will also benefit from studying VCE Philosophy. For students particularly interested in Philosophy, they can pursue this as a major in an Arts degree and, in the future, can pursue a career as a Philosophy writer, lecturer, and teacher.
