How Philosophy is Integrated
 Term 1:
 Term 2:
 Term 3:
 Term 4:
Philosophy
Scripture
Justice
Spirituality
(Anglican tradition and practice throughout year)
Five Overarching Areas of Philosophy
• Metaphysics: questions of reality.
• Epistemology: questions of knowledge, how we learn and
what we can know. Includes such area as the philosophy of
religion or the philosophy of science.
• Logic: which examines the framework for reasoning and
argumentation.
• Ethics: concerns human values and character and how
people should act.
• Aesthetics: deals with the notion of beauty and the
philosophy of art.
Other Areas of Philosophy
 Philosophy of education
 Philosophy of language
 Philosophy of mind
 Political philosophy
Philosophy and the Big Questions
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Is there a God?
What is the nature/attributes of God?
What is the meaning of life?
How should we lead our lives?
In what way are we connected to the environment?
What is beautiful?
What is the nature of reality?
How can we be happy in life?
How can we build a good society?
What is the good life?
Why are we here?
How should we treat animals?
How does Philosophy help in the
teaching Religion?
 Closely related academic disciplines
 Intertwined in their histories
 Historically many examples of
theologians/philosophers or at least philosophers
who have engaged in theological questions.
 E.g. Anselm, Aquinas, Spinoza, Descartes & Kant
How does Philosophy help in the
teaching Religion?
 Provides us with a historical context for our
understandings of theology.
 Provides us with knowledge and frameworks to
meaningfully engage in Religious Studies and matters
of Faith.
 Through the study of relevant philosophical ideas and
in the Anglican tradition, helps students to form and
develop religious and faith concepts in their own
schemata, rather than be ‘given’ the knowledge and
faith.
Who am I?
• The Foundations of Personhood
• Acceptance of self and others
• Ethical living
• The Golden Rule/ Jesus’ commandment
• ‘I think therefore I am’
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What is Philosophy?
Thinking and believing
Why are we here?
What is Religion?
• What is Philosophy?
• Perception and how we ‘see’ or sense our
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world.
Critical thinking
Plato and his Forms
Suffering and Evil
Christianity and Buddhism
• Friendship
• Ancient view of friendship – e.g. Aristotle, Epicurus
• Modern application of idea i.e. obligations and
responsibilities
• Gospel messages and values
• Agape
• Impact of social media
• Compulsory Year 11 ATAR Philosophy and
Ethics (first unit)
• Elective Year 11 ATAR Philosophy and Ethics
• All students Beliefs and Values – ‘Flourishing’
Ethics
Hedonistic treadmill
Belief systems,
Altruism and Compassion
The Meaning of Life
• Elective Year 12 ATAR Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophy Club/Philosothon
This approach equips students to engage
meaningfully with religion, faith, beliefs and
values forming their own schema in order to make
informed decisions regarding spiritual and other
matters.
justin.gill@pc.wa.edu.au