VCE PHILOSOPHY 2014-2018
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which primary text/s should be studied in units 1 and 2? Students study at least two themes for each of areas of study one and two in each unit. At least one theme will involve study of at least one primary text from the list of thinkers given under each theme in the study design. Each list of thinkers varies in difficulty and student need should carefully be considered as well as fit with the questions being studied. An extract of a work or a complete work can be selected. The length and difficulty of the text but also the background necessary to understand the text should be considered to ensure a reasonable student workload. The nature of the text itself and its potential to demonstrate clear philosophical thinking should also be considered. Suggestions for primary texts are included in the resources section of the VCE Philosophy study page.
2. In unit 3 area of study 1, psyche as well as mind is referred to. Are these the same thing?
No. In the study design the term psyche is used to refer to ancient thought on something that was thought to distinguish living from non-living things, that is the subject of emotional states, responsible for planning and practical thinking and bearer of virtues (see for example http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ancient-soul/ ). It is not equivalent to modern notions of the mind. Unit 3 area of study 1 includes study the three concepts of mind, psyche and body as they occur within viewpoints and arguments in the set texts. Where the phrase ‘mind or psyche’ is used in the key knowledge and skills it refers to the study of mind where applicable to the set texts and the study of psyche where applicable to the set texts.
3. Do students require a detailed knowledge of Buddhism for unit 3 area of study 2?
No. Students should be introduced to Buddhism only to the extent that it assists in the analysis and evaluation of the set texts, following a similar approach to introducing appropriate background for the teaching of any of the other set texts. Examination questions will focus on the analysis, evaluation and comparison of theories of personal identity as set out in the set texts.
4. What role do the questions in unit 4 area of study 1 play in the study of the set texts?
Four questions are identified in the key knowledge:
- What if anything, does an understanding of human nature tell us about the good life?
- What does the good life have to do with being morally good?
- What is the nature of happiness and what is its role in the good life? VCE
- What is the relationship between the good life for an individual and for broader society?
These questions should guide the study of the set texts for this area of study. It is not the case that any one particular text will necessarily cover every question but the text list as a whole does. The questions can be used to frame the study of individual texts and to draw comparisons between texts.
5. What role does the study of general concepts in unit 4 area of study 1 play?
Outcome 1 for this area of study refers to viewpoints and arguments in the set text. Therefore the study of concepts used in the discussion of the good life generally should be undertaken to assist in achieving this outcome. For example general knowledge of these concepts can assist in understanding the social, historical and philosophical context of the set texts and in discussing objections and criticisms to viewpoints and arguments in the set texts.
6. Is it allowable to draw links between different areas of study?
Yes, however it is not required that students make links in order to gain full marks for a given question. However students will not be penalised should they draw relevant links to support an answer. In making any links students should be careful to maintain precision in conceptual thinking, for example in reference to the ‘I’ in the Descartes set text for the minds and bodies area of study and the ‘I’ used when discussing personal identity.
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