Teaching

Philosophy to Teach
Religion

How Philosophy is
Integrated
Term
Term
Term
Term

1:
2:
3:
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

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.

Year 7
Who am I?

The Foundations of Personhood

Acceptance of self and others
Ethical living
The Golden Rule/ Jesus
commandment

Year 8
I think therefore I am

What is Philosophy?
Thinking and believing
Why are we here?
What is Religion?

Year 9
What is Philosophy?
Perception and how we see or

sense our world.

Critical thinking
Plato and his Forms
Suffering and Evil
Christianity and Buddhism

Year 10
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

Year 11
Compulsory Year 11 ATAR Philosophy

and Ethics (first unit)

Elective Year 11 ATAR Philosophy and

Ethics

Year 12
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

Conclusion
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.

Contact
justin.gill@pc.wa.edu.au