Why should you study religion, philosophy &
ethics?
Why studying RPE is the secret to success in 21st century society. By Ben Wardle.
The study of religion, philosophy & ethics will provide you with an impressive understanding of human behaviour, belief & morality. It is an insight into how people think, what people believe and - most importantly - why they live their lives in the way that they do. You will learn about the foundations of the modern human laws, customs, and beliefs that we all take for granted. You will also develop an exceptional ability to debate, discuss, analyse, critique, and evaluate key concepts concerning human civilisation. This is a subject that offers countless opportunities for application in almost every area of modern life, from politics and law right through to education, the armed forces and journalism.
**
'The unexamined life is not worth living'. That's according to Socrates, the Ancient Greek thinker would played an instrumental role in the foundation of Western Philosophy over 2,500 years ago. In the two millenniums that have followed, humanity has turned to the academic discipline of philosophy - which means 'a love of wisdom' - in an attempt to work out what is means to live a life that is 'worth living'.
Philosophers have spent thousands of years discussing, debating, and evaluating fundamental questions such as 'what does it mean to be a human being?', 'how can we know anything with certainity?' and 'how do we distinguish between right and wrong?' From Descartes to David Hume, countless philosophers have grappled with life's big questions and have attempted to make a meaningful contribution to common good of society. The progression of human civilisation and the development of human society has been fuelled by a hunger for knowledge, understanding, and insight. Human beings are inherently meaning-seeking creatures, and the study of philosophy has allowed our species to make sense of its very unique place in the world.
​
The study of philosophy is perhaps the most fruitful and rewarding endeavor any human being can ever take on. The subject is truly inter-disciplinary and covers the most extraordinarily broad spectrum of ideas. The study of philosophy will teach you about everything from politics and ethics right through to physics and evolution. There is no subject that can teach you more about the foundations for human civilisation, the justifications for fundamental human beliefs, or offer you a greater opportunity to evaluate the key concepts that shape our lives as human beings in the world today.
​
About my studies:
- GCSE Religious Studies (edexcel)
- A Level Religious Studies (OCR)
- BA Religion, Philosophy & Ethics (King's College, London)
​
Philosophy: means 'love of wisdom'. The study of 'fundamental' questions about humanity and the universe - existence, knowledge, values, reason, identity, mind, and language.
​
Religion / theology: study of religious belief, god and the divine. Explores questions about how religion developed, how different religion's relate to one another, the purposes of religious belief, the origins of religious texts such as the Bible & the interaction between organised religion, politics and society.
​
Ethics: Debate, discussion and evaluation of morality. The question of 'right and wrong'. How do we know the difference between 'good' and 'evil'? What is the right way to live your life? Explores how the rules, laws and customs of modern life have been shaped over the past 2,500 years. Why is the Church opposed to homosexuality? Can murder ever be justified? Is lying always wrong? Areas covered include; sex ethics, business ethics, bio ethics, euthanasia, abortion, utilitarianism, Natural Moral Law, metaethics, Virtue Ethics and free will.