Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

“It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well”  Rene Descartes

Religion, Philosophy and Ethics is an intrinsically valuable and intrinsically engaging subject. It is also the basis for the development of cognitive skills that are indispensable for all aspects of learning. Religion is a valued element of very many people’s lives and having an understanding of the spiritual, experiential and sociological aspects of religion can promote an empathetic attitude towards others, even those with whom we disagree. Philosophy is a method more than it is a body of knowledge. The skills gained through the ‘doing’ of Philosophy support all other academic areas of study. Students at K.E.S. will be asked to think with clarity and to argue cogently. They will also be encouraged to re-assess their own assumptions and opinions. Ethics is a branch of Philosophy which helps students to form a rational basis for their moral judgements. This is important for young people who often do not see objective meaning in the rules and norms of the adult world. 

The exciting thing about R.P.E. at K.E.S. is the variety. Students will find themselves taking part in thought experiments; resolving a murder mystery; meeting a Buddhist monk; debating the existence of God; questioning the source of personal identity; and much more. Rather than a limiting GSCE course, students complete a level two EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) on a topic of their choosing. At A Level we follow the challenging but enriching AQA Philosophy course.