Page 329 - Social Sciences Humanities - The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 to 12 - 2013

OVERVIEW
Philosophy involves critical and creative thinking about fundamental questions: questions about the meaning of life, the nature of good and evil, the reliability of knowledge, the bases of human rights and responsibilities, the functions of government, the nature and value of art.
The philosophy courses in the social sciences and humanities curriculum provide students with an opportunity to think about philosophical questions in a rigorous way and to develop their understanding of the nature of philosophy as a general discipline as well as of various specialized branches of philosophy. In these courses, students explore a range of philosophical questions and learn how major philosophers and philosophical traditions have responded to these questions. Students also develop their philosophical reasoning skills: they analyse philosophers’ responses to the big questions and formulate, communicate, and defend their own responses. In addition, these courses encourage students to consider the relevance of philosophy – including philosophical methods, questions, and insights – to their own personal lives as well as to broader social issues.
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PHILOSOPHY