Religious Studies in the Sixth Form
Ethics and the Philosophy of Religion
Ethics is about moral choices - the values that lie behind them and the language they use to describe them. This course introduces some of the main ethical theories, and looks at the contributions of many thinkers including Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant and Nietzsche. The course also explores important areas of moral thought - personal relationships, genetic engineering, abortion, euthanasia and global issues.
Philosophy is not just about how to think; it is about how to live. This course looks at Christianity and Western philosophy, both of which have influenced and shaped Western society. If you are a believer in another religion or of no religion at all, this study should be of use to you simply because you live in the West, and the ideas embedded in society have grown out of a 'Western' way of thinking. The big questions about life and death, why we are here, and the existence of God, are still being asked, and in today's world we still need the capacity to think, and decide on what basis our lives should be lived.
An A Level in Religious Studies offers a very strong grounding for those who wish to pursue university studies in theology, philosophy, psychology, education, medicine, law and politics, or any general humanities degree.
