Teaching Philosophy to Teach Religion

How Philosophy is Integrated

Term 1: PhilosophyTerm 2: Scripture Term 3: Justice Term 4: 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 PhilosophyPhilosophy of education

Philosophy of language

Philosophy of mind

Political philosophy

Philosophy and the Big QuestionsIs 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 disciplinesIntertwined in their historiesHistorically 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’EthicsHedonistic treadmillBelief systems, Altruism and CompassionThe 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