UK · Subject guide
Philosophy
A-Level Philosophy (AQA 7172), against the DfE/Ofqual subject content.
01 · Overview
Philosophy
A-Level Philosophy (AQA 7172), against the DfE/Ofqual subject content.
- Subject guide
- A-Levels
- Topics mapped
- 17
02 · Complete topic map
Complete topic map
Every topic recorded for this subject in the curriculum is reproduced below in its full hierarchy. The descriptions reflect the mapped scope without implying additional exam rules.
- 01
What is knowledge?
Distinguishes acquaintance, ability and propositional knowledge, and examines whether propositional knowledge can be defined as justified true belief in light of Gettier-style counterexamples and revised analyses.
- 02
Perception as a source of knowledge
Compares theories of how the external world is perceived, including direct realism, indirect realism and Berkeley's idealism, alongside their main objections.
- 03
Reason as a source of knowledge
Investigates rationalist claims that some knowledge is innate or gained through intuition and deduction, set against empiricist responses such as the tabula rasa view.
- 04
The limits of knowledge
Explores philosophical scepticism, the distinction between local and global doubt, Descartes' sceptical arguments and various attempts to answer them.
- 05
Normative ethical theories
Studies the three main approaches to right action and the good life: utilitarianism, Kantian deontological ethics and Aristotelian virtue ethics.
- 06
Applied ethics
Applies the normative and meta-ethical theories to concrete moral issues such as stealing, simulated killing, eating animals and lying.
- 07
Meta-ethics
Examines the status and meaning of moral language and judgements through moral realism and anti-realism, including cognitivist and non-cognitivist positions.
- 08
The concept and nature of God
Analyses the divine attributes of omniscience, omnipotence and supreme goodness, God's relationship to time, and arguments that the concept of God is incoherent.
- 09
Ontological arguments
Assesses a priori arguments that God's existence follows from the concept of God, drawing on thinkers such as Anselm and their critics.
- 10
Teleological (design) arguments
Evaluates arguments from apparent order, purpose or fine-tuning in the universe to the existence of a designer, together with objections to them.
- 11
Cosmological arguments
Considers arguments from causation, contingency and the existence of the universe to a first cause or necessary being, and the challenges they face.
- 12
The problem of evil
Explores the logical and evidential problems posed by suffering and wrongdoing for belief in an omnipotent and benevolent God, and theodicies offered in response.
- 13
Religious language
Investigates whether religious statements are meaningful, contrasting cognitivism with non-cognitivism and the verification and falsification debates.
- 14
What do we mean by 'mind'?
Examines the defining features of mental states, including phenomenal properties (qualia) and intentionality, as the starting point for theories of mind.
- 15
Dualist theories of mind
Studies substance dualism and property dualism, including Descartes' arguments and the conceivability and knowledge arguments, with their objections.
- 16
Physicalist theories of mind
Evaluates physicalist accounts such as philosophical behaviourism, mind-brain type identity theory and eliminative materialism, and the difficulties each faces.
- 17
Functionalism
Considers the view that mental states are defined by their functional roles rather than their physical make-up, alongside problems such as qualia and the Chinese Room.
03 · Where this subject applies
Where this subject applies
These pathways and regions are explicitly connected to the subject in the curriculum.
Pathways and specifications
AS-Level
Advanced Subsidiary — the first year of A-Level study (standalone or first half of the full A-Level).
A-Level (A2)
The full Advanced Level — AS content plus the second-year A2 content.
Nations and regions
All registered regions
04 · Official sources
Official sources
The public sources below are referenced directly by this subject or by one of its topics.
This editorial selection points to the relevant official bodies. Always confirm current requirements, dates and amendments with your school or college and the appropriate awarding organisation.
2
Public references
UK · EuraStudy Guides
Place this subject inside the complete curriculum.
Open the curriculum guide to see every subject and topic, or continue to EuraStudy Summa to begin working with the material.