www.richmond-philosophy.net

• What Do We Study?
• The Course
• The Classes
• Study Skills
• Examinations
• HELP!

What Do We Study?

Is it all about God and religion?

No. There's no compulsory module on the Philosophy of Religion in the new AQA AS/A2 specification (sat by new students from 2008 onwards). There are two AS modules entitled The Idea Of God and God And The World but whether you will study either module depends on the teachers to whom you'll be assigned.

Is it all about ethics and morality?

No. There is no compulsory ethics module. There is a module entitled Why Should I Be Moral? in the first (AS) year and a module in the second (A2) year entitled Moral Philosophy. Again, whether you study either module will depend on the teachers you have.

Do we just look at "English philosophy" or do we look at philosophy from around the world?

There's no such thing as "English philosophy". You study topics from the "western tradition" that begins with the ancient Greeks and which has subsequently been developed in Northern Europe and, in the last century, in America and Australia. You don't study philosophers from India, China, or Africa, for example. This is simply because there is so much to learn that there is a need to be very selective.

Is it just studying the history of philosophy?

Yes and no. One of the distinctive aspects of philosophy is that the thoughts of philosophers one or two thousand years ago continue to be relevant now. They, like you, will be looking at some of the most fundamental questions that have ever been asked. So, you will spend a lot of time learning about people such as Plato, Aristotle, and Descartes from centuries gone by. But you will also look at very recent philosophical work too. For example, you'll be learning about issues in the philosophy of mind that only came into being thirty or so years ago.

Do we debate?

Yes. Though don't get the idea that every lesson is simply a discussion. You can't discuss something intelligently without knowing a lot first.

Do we just learn about what philosophers say or do we come up with our own answers?

You'll be encouraged to think for yourself about what you'll be looking at. But you will spend most of your time learning about what others have said. There are two good reasons for this.

First, you'll be looking at hard questions that many have thought about for a long time. You'll need to know what they thought to avoid "re-inventing the wheel" - to avoid spending much time working out a line of thought that someone's had before.

Second, philosophical questions are tough questions. You wouldn't expect to do physics or maths and be asked to come up with your own theories. You need to learn what others have said to learn about the topic itself. It takes time to become an expert.

Are there right answers or is it all just opinion?

It's a common misconception that philosophers never prove anything. You'll see some examples in the course of theories that have been proved decisively wrong. What makes philosophy special is the nature of the questions. They are deep and searching questions and it is simply very hard to determine the answers to them. It is not simply a case of people airing their points of view and accepting that any opinion is as valid as another.

Philosophers make judgements and present arguments (or attempt to do so) in support of what they think is the right answer. While ordinary usage allows us to say that anything one thinks is an opinion in philosophy the term "opinion" is usually used to capture the idea that one is presenting a view that falls short of a supported judgement or can count as knowledge. Even though philosophers frequently disagree about what they think the right answer or truth of a matter is, and even though there is no decisive fact of the matter available or obvious, the philosophers think that at least in principle such an argument or fact is available.

There is a confusion which is easy to fall prey to. The confusion is that because a philosopher argues that something is a matter of (mere) opinion or agreement, that therefore means the philosopher is committed to the view his judgement is itself merely a matter of opinion. When discussing a particular area or the nature of philosophy itself some philosophers argue that what counts as true in that area is (in an often sophisticated way) a matter of opinion or agreement. For example, many philosophers hold that value judgements - judgements about what makes an action right or wrong or what makes a painting beautiful - are a matter of opinion. Such philosophers do not believe that their judgement is merely an opinion, but expresses an objective truth about, say, the nature of value judgements.

On the margins of philosophy, in many English and Literature Departments in US and UK universities and throughout the media a very different thesis is defended. This is the claim that there is absolutely no objective truth in any area of enquiry or about any area of enquiry. This is a radical scepticism which we shall see in the course lacks the kind of coherence and reasoned support we ought to demand of a theory about knowledge. That philosophy is popularly regarded as having embraced this version of post-modernism (not to be confused with the way "post-modern" is used in art and architecture) is a mistake and that it is endorsed in certain areas is an error on their part. Or so, we say...

The Course

How is the course structured?

In the AS year, you study four modules, two from each unit. You will be taught two in the autumn term and two in the spring term. The summer term will be used to tie up loose ends and for revision.

Who teaches me what?

You will have two teachers over the course of the year. So, each term, you will be taught one module each by one teacher.

Is there a lot of reading?

There's quite a lot. One of the best ways to learn about philosophy is to read a well-written article.

Is there a lot of writing?

Again, there's quite a lot. You will be writing essays on a regular basis and the course is evaluated by six written exams (three each year).

Do I need to buy anything for the course?

You will need to buy copies of the set text book you read in the A2 year (Unit 4). It will cost about £5-£10.

Is there a textbook?

There are a number of textbooks: see below. We don't ask you to buy one. The books cover far more than we cover in two years. So, you will only use a fraction of the book. You have to decide whether it is worth the expenditure.
You will receive many hand-outs. Some will be from text-books. Others will be written by us. These hand-outs and your notes will be your main source of information. You must therefore keep your handouts and notes in order. You will also be given booklets of readings, which provide both basic and background or further reading for certain topics.

Are there any other resources?

There is extensive range of materials available on-line via this website and Blackboard. Here you can also access The Richmond Journal of Philosophy, which is edited by members of the philosophy department. This is a journal that is read by philosophy students from around the world. It has articles on it written by philosophers both here in the college and from universities in the U.K. and abroad. It contains many articles that will help you deepen your understanding of philosophy. Your teacher may refer you to it but you should take a look at it yourself.

Can I choose what I study?

No. We select the modules.

What other subjects can/should I study if I study philosophy?

Philosophy will combine with pretty much any combination of subjects. Although it is considered as an "arts" or "humanities" subject, it will happily fit with subject such as maths and physics because they too will demand clear thinking and rigorous analysis.

How will it help me get to university?

Philosophy is an old and well-respected subject. By doing philosophy, you will learn how to think in a logical way, to analyse arguments, to synthesise and summarise complex points of view and to write clearly. These are skills that are needed to study any subject well at university level.

The Classes

How many classes a week and teachers do I have?

You have four classes of 70 minutes a week. Each group has two teachers who will take you for two sessions each week.

What do I need for each lesson?

Pens and paper and any hand-outs you've been asked to bring. And your homework, if it is due in.

Is there any homework?

Yes. Homework will be regularly set. As you might expect, not doing homework or not handing it in on time will lead to you being removed from the course.

What happens if I am ill or unable to come in?

If you are ill or unable to come in, you should have phoned in the Attendance Unit. At the end of every day, we check the lists from the Attendance Unit to see who has phoned in. If you weren't in class and you aren't on the list, then we put a zero by your name in the register, to signify your unofficial absence. If you miss too many classes unofficially, you'll be removed from the course. Please also note that if you phone in too often, you'll be investigated and we won't accept your notified absences. Now look at the next question to see what you should do to catch up.

What happens if I miss a class?

First, you need to see your teacher to find out what you missed and explain your absence.
Second, you will need to get your hands on the materials handed out in class. You can ask your teacher. You should also check Blackboard. You should try to photocopy somebody's notes.
Third, you must check this web-site or Blackboard to see if any homework has been set.
It is your responsibility to keep up with the course. It is not acceptable to miss classes and the homework set in those classes and then say that you didn't know what the homework was. You can find out from your teacher or from this web-site or from Blackboard.

I've lost some notes. What can I do?

Ask your teacher and check on this web-site or on Blackboard.

Is it hard work?

Yes. But if you work hard, it will not be so hard as to be impenetrable. The overwhelming majority of our students tell us each year that they have enjoyed wrestling with the challenges philosophy poses.

Study Skills

How do I do philosophy?

Well, by doing it. There is a real sense in which philosophy is a practical subject. You only get to understand the issues and develop the skills to think critically and independently by practising. Check out our more detailed guides on how to do philosophy and how to write a philosophy essay.

How do I read philosophy?

In a philosophy paper or book the key thing to identify is the claim the author is wanting to make and the argument (if any) in support of it. You will find there are many styles in which philosophy is written and sometimes it takes effort and practice to work out what someone is really trying to explain.

How do I write philosophy?

You should show that you understand the key issues under discussion by explaining what is meant by the key ideas, providing examples to illustrate the point. An important part of philosophy is evaluating why a particular claim has been defended. In doing this you must show you understand what motivates the claim (e.g. that the apparent structure and order of the universe shows God is likely to exist or that the mind is just the brain), what challenges or criticisms it faces and how one might respond to these. Very often the conclusion of a philosophy essay is to explain the price you have to pay in order to defend or reject a view. Check out our more detailed guide on how to write a philosophy essay.

So, how do I develop the skills to read and write philosophy?

By doing this course.

In my reports and at parents' evenings teachers advise me to read around the subject. What do they mean?

When we suggest that you read around the subject or do further reading we mean in the first instance you should first look in one of the booklets of readings or on the philosophy website for an article or handout on or related to the relevant subject which we have not set as required reading.

If you want advice on further reading always feel free to ask one of your teachers.

Examinations

What will my exams look like?

In the first (AS) year, you'll have two exams. They take place on different days. Each exam lasts for 90 minutes. In each exam, you'll answer twoquestions each of which has a (shorter) (a) question and a (longer) (b) question. (a)-part is worth 15 marks. The (b)-part is worth 30 marks. The (a)-question will ask you to explain something. You will have to demonstrate your knowledge of the relevant subject-area. The (b) question will ask you to discuss a philosophical issue. On top of explaining what the issue is, you will have to demonstrate your knowledge of different ways philosophers have tried to resolve the issue. You will not have a choice of questions.

In the second (A2) year, you'll also have two exams on different days. One exam (A2 Themes - Unit 3) lasts 120 minutes. You will answer two questions. You have a choice of two for each question. Each question takes the form of an hour-long essay. The second paper (A2 Texts - Unit 4) lasts 90 minutes. You answer a compulsory (a) question and then one from a choice of two (b) questions. The (a)-part question is worth 15 marks and will ask you to explain something. The (b)-part question is worth 45 marks will ask you to critically assess something. On top of explaining what the issue is, you will have to demonstrate your knowledge of different ways philosophers have tried to resolve the issue.

So do I get a choice of questions?

In the AS year you do not. In the A2 year you do. But the choice is within the module you have studied; there is no choice of module.

Is there any coursework?

No. You are evaluated entirely by examinations.

Are there any mock exams?

Yes. You'll have mocks at the end of each term.

HELP!

I'm finding I'm not understanding everything we do in class and everyone else is! Am I just not good enough for the course?

You can be absolutely certain that you are never the only person who doesn't fully understand whatever you've been talking about in class. Philosophy is a hard subject. You are being introduced to problems and issues that have puzzled some of the greatest minds over the last two and a half thousand years. You simply can't come to a lesson, listen, talk, write some notes and think that you've 'done' that bit of philosophy. You have to do all of that and then keep thinking. You'll need to re-read your notes and other materials. You'll also need to talk about philosophy. If you're short of people, talk to yourself. Don't be embarrassed. People may think you're a nut, but then plenty of people will (wrongly) think you're a nut to be troubling yourself with these philosophical problems in the first place.

I just can't figure out what to write in my essay! What do I do?

First of all, do NOT simply do nothing and turn up to the class with a blank piece of paper and a sad face. Go over your notes. Ask a friend what they've done. Do NOT copy their work, however. Come and find one of your teachers. They will be happy to give you some assistance.

Is it alright to 'borrow' some material from Wikipedia? Or use one of those sites that supply essays to 'help' you write your own?

Ha ha. Nice try. No. DO NOT PLAGIARISE. It is very easy to spot material that comes from Wikipedia. (For a start, it is often not accurate.) It is extremely easy to spot material that comes from professional philosophy web-sites. Finally, it is much easier than you might think to detect material borrowed from other, on-line essays as the college is registered with the sites and has anti-plagiarism software. You should be smart enough to realise that pinching material is not going to help you in long run, as you'll simply underperform in your exams. In the shorter term, you'll also underperform in your mock exams and any other class-based tests.

I'm finding it impossible to come up with any original thoughts! All these philosophers have already come up with ideas that far surpass anything I could think of!

You're surprised? You don't study physics thinking that you'll be expected to come up with original ways to reconcile Einstein's theory of General Relativity with Quantum Physics. You don't study biology with the expectation that you'll have to figure out a cure for cancer as part of your coursework. Before you can make advances, you need to learn what others have done before and this can take a long time. It's no different in philosophy. It appears to be otherwise because the questions philosophers ask are often very easy to understand - not so in physics. This doesn't show that the questions are easy to answer. The questions are deep and far-reaching and demand careful inquiry. You are studying philosophy to learn about these puzzles, to learn about the 'history of ideas' and to learn how to think. Of course, it is important that you try to think about how to solve these problems rather than merely to learn what everyone else has done. This is, after all, why people do philosophy professionally. But don't think that coming up with novel solutions is required of you just yet! If you come up with an idea that another philosopher has thought of, you're doing pretty well already!

© COPYRIGHT 2007-12 Matthew Carmody and Paul Sheehy.