Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to show that how to do philosophy – not just to tell, but to show, what philosophical thinking and philosophical writing is like. It talks about what is involved in doing philosophy – how to reason, read, and write philosophically. It intends to be taken as a thought to be considered, reread, and reflected on. The AQA A Level Philosophy course aims to introduce student to some key concepts and methods in philosophy, studied as an academic discipline. Philosophy needs to be read slowly, and more than once, to be understood. Alongside the text, there are a number of features in the margin. The syllabus includes a list of 'set texts'. Many of the arguments identified in the syllabus content come from these texts.