Syllabus outline
Comments in italics refer to the prsent progress of year 12 IB students.
Higher level
The philosophy syllabus at HL consists of four compulsory parts.
Part 1: Themes
Core theme: What is a human being?
The study of the core theme is compulsory.
- In term one we examined the human condition from a rationalist perspective - with Plato's ideas on knowledge, and Aristotle's on Virtue being especially relevant.
- We are now looking at the implications for how we view the human condition from a theistic or an atheistic perspective.
Optional themes
Students are required to study:
1. Theories and problems of ethics
- In term one we spent a fair amount of time on Virtue ethics, in particular the contribution to this of Aristotle, although throughout the term we touched on various ethical topics. Plato's version of 'the good' is also relevant.
2. Political philosophy
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In term one we looked at Plato's ideas on democracy and the ideal society, as well as the alternative perspective of Aristotle. We examined ideas of legitimacy and authority in relation to the state, in particualr looking at the different conceptions of the idea of a social contract (Hobbes and Locke).
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We have looked at the contrasting views of Machiavelli, and have begun to investigate various ideological positions, starting with the notion of a left-right spectrum of views.
Part 2: Prescribed philosophical text
Students are required to study JS Mill – On Liberty
Part 3: Internal assessment
Students are required to produce a philosophical analysis of non-philosophical material, to demonstrate their philosophical skills.
Part 4: Unseen text—exploring philosophical activity
Students are required to develop a philosophical response to an unseen text that demonstrates what doing philosophy means, and shows a holistic appreciation of the skills, material and ideas developed throughout the course.
- We have been looking at logic and reasoning as a major philosophical approach, and we have examined the methodology of scepticism as exhibited by Descartes.
Standard level
The philosophy syllabus at SL consists of three compulsory parts.
Part 1: Themes
Core theme: What is a human being?
The study of the core theme is compulsory.
Optional themes
1. Theories and problems of ethics
Part 2: Prescribed philosophical text
Students are required to study JS Mill – On Liberty
Part 3: Internal assessment
Students are required to produce a philosophical analysis of non-philosophical material, to demonstrate their philosophical skills. | 
