Religion and Philosophy

Religion and Philosophy explore spiritual ideas and fundamental questions that have shaped the major civilizations of the world. Through an exploration of different belief systems, moral values and philosophical argument, students will discover how thinkers through the ages have addressed the great questions of life: why am I here, how should I behave, and is there anything more than this life? As an academic department, no one particular faith perspective is assumed, but rather through study and debate, an enriching understanding and analysis of a variety of world views is gained.

What we teach

Religion and Philosophy is compulsory up to Year 9, with many students opting to continue to iGCSE, A level and beyond. The Lower School curriculum explores major world religions through their founders, systems of ethics and beliefs about life after death, and how religion impacts society. During Year 9, students study a variety of topics pertaining to religion and philosophy, such as the rise of spirituality and cults, arguments for and against the existence of God, and moral philosophy. In opting to continue to iGCSE, students will explore ethical and philosophical topics from religious and non-religious perspectives, including peace and conflict, matters of life and death, and equality and injustice. We offer two discrete A level options: Religious Studies, including philosophy of religion, ethics and developments in Christian thought, and Philosophy, including epistemology, moral philosophy, and metaphysics.

Enrichment

We offer students to explore and extend their learning beyond the curriculum in every year group in the College. Lower School students can join the RS game society, in which they can design a board or card game based on the tenants of a particular religion or faiths. Highlights have included a religion Top Trumps and ‘Hinduopoly’, based on the law of karma. In the Middle School, students are invited to take part in the RS Gym, where they can present to the society on any religion or philosophy related topic. Past presentations have included ‘The problem of evil’, ‘does free will exist?’, ‘religion and the economy’ and Cults’. In the Upper School society, Philosophy Circle, students can attend lecture or seminar style meetings where a paper or theory is presents, either by a student, member of staff or outside speaker. Speakers have included Dr Oliver Spinney from UCL, who argued in favour of Wittgenstein’s understanding of philosophy as an activity and philosophical problems being problems of language.

Destinations

Options post-A level for those who have studied Philosophy or Religious Studies are many and varied. Philosophy at Cambridge or Philosophy and Theology at Oxford is a popular choice, and more universities are offering Philosophy, Politics and Economics as undergraduate degrees. Any philosophy or theology related degree will give students excellent critical analysis skills and enable them to speak and write with precision and rigor.