Introduction to Philosophy is a fascinating subject designed for students who enjoy thinking deeply, asking big questions, and challenging ideas about the world around them. Students will explore some of the most famous philosophical questions that have been debated since Ancient Greece, such as:
- What is the meaning of life?
- Can money buy happiness?
- And how do we know what is real? including thought-provoking ideas like whether we could be living in a simulation.
Students will learn how to build strong, logical arguments, evaluate different viewpoints, and develop the confidence to express and defend their own ideas. Students will also apply philosophical thinking to real-world issues and explore how movies, television shows, and modern situations raise important ethical and philosophical questions. This subject encourages curiosity, creativity, and open-minded discussion while helping you develop valuable critical thinking and reasoning skills that can be used in any future career or study pathway.
What You Will Learn
- Develop strong critical thinking and reasoning skills by learning how to analyse ideas, break down arguments, and think logically about complex questions and real-world issues.
- Explore different types of relationships in your life, including friendships, family relationships, and social connections, and how these relationships shape who we are and how we behave.
- Examine the rights, obligations, and duties that exist within relationships, and consider what we owe to others and what others owe to us in return.
- Investigate ethical issues and challenges that arise in relationships, including questions about fairness, responsibility, trust, and decision-making.
- Explore the concept of ownership and question what it really means to “own” something in society today.
- Analyse how ownership can affect freedom and privacy, including how rules, laws, and technology can influence what we can and cannot do.
- Question the role of authority and power, and discuss whether governments and other authorities have the right to control or influence our lives.
- Apply key philosophical skills such as forming arguments, using evidence to support ideas, and considering multiple perspectives on important issues.
- Engage in respectful and meaningful discussions, learning how to share ideas clearly while listening to and challenging the views of others in a constructive way.
- Develop academic writing skills by learning how to plan, structure, and write a philosophy essay that clearly presents and supports your arguments.
Semester 1
Year 10 Students will learn about ‘Relationships’ such as what types of relationships do we have with other people? Does having relationships with others alter our own identity?
Students will show their learning in various ways such as:
- Philosophical Inquiry and Discussion
- Philosophical Writing and Reflection
- Critical Thinking and Reasoning
- Collaborative Work
- Written Work
Semester 2
Year 10 Students will learn about ‘Ownership’, such as what is ownership? What does it mean to ‘own’ something? How do we determine when we own something? What rights/obligations come with ownership? Can we own something if it could be taken away from us? Is ownership always good? Is there such a thing as ‘excessive ownership’? Is greed bad?
Students will show their learning in various ways such as:
- Philosophical Inquiry and Discussion
- Philosophical Writing and Reflection
- Critical Thinking and Reasoning
- Collaborative Work
- Written Work
Assessment Tasks
Oral presentation in small groups
Philosophy essay
Reflective journalling
Future School Pathways
VCE General
