IB Philosophy

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Description and Aims

Philosophy is a systematic critical inquiry into profound, fascinating and challenging questions such as:

What is it to be human?
Do we have free will?
What do we mean when we say something is right or wrong?

These abstract questions arise out of our everyday experiences and philosophical tools such as critical and systematic thinking, careful analysis, and construction of arguments provide the means of addressing such questions. The practice of philosophy deepens and clarifies our understanding of these questions, as well as our ability to formulate possible responses.

Studying philosophy provides an opportunity for students to engage with some of the world’s most
interesting and influential thinkers. It also develops highly transferable skills such as the ability to formulate arguments clearly, to make reasoned judgments and to evaluate highly complex and multifaceted issues. The emphasis of the Philosophy course is on doing philosophy, that is, on actively engaging students in philosophical activity. The course is focussed on stimulating the students’ intellectual curiosity and encouraging them to examine both their own perspectives and those of others.

Students are challenged to develop their own philosophical voice and to grow into independent thinkers. They develop their skills through the study of philosophical themes and the close reading of a philosophical text. They also learn to apply their philosophical knowledge and skills to real-life situations and to explore how non-philosophical material can be treated in a philosophical way. Higher Level students also engage in a deeper exploration of the nature of philosophy itself.

Curriculum Model Overview

Component	Standard Level	Higher Level
Core Theme The core theme, Being Human, is compulsory for all students.	✓	✓
Optional Themes SL students are required to study one theme and HL students are required to study two themes from the following list: Aesthetics Epistemology Ethics Philosophy and contemporary society Philosophy of religion Philosophy of science Political philosophy	✓	✓
Prescribed Text: Students are required to study one text from the IB list of prescribed philosophical texts.	✓	✓
HL Extension: Exploring Philosophical Activity. HL students are required to explore the nature of philosophical activity.		✓
Internal Assessment: SL and HL students are required to produce a philosophical analysis of a non-philosophical stimulus.	✓	✓

Assessment at a Glance — Standard Level

Type of Assessment	Format of Assessment	Time (hours)	Weighting Final Grade (%)
External		2.75	75
Paper 1	Stimulus-based questions on core theme and essay questions on optional themes.	1.75	50
Paper 2	Questions on prescribed philosophical texts.	1	25
Internal		20	25
Portfolio	A portfolio of three commentaries.	20	25

Assessment at a Glance — Higher Level