Download What is the task

Exam Board: OCR
Religious Studies: Philosophy and Ethics
What is the task?
Your task is to research and evaluate the contribution of the
Greek Philosophers to Western thinking. Your task is to
answer the following two questions:
Part 1:
Explain the contribution made by Greek Philosophy to the
world today. (A4 3-4 sides)
Think about the way they saw the world, the questions they
asked, the answers they came up with and how people reacted
to their thinking.
In your answer you must refer to the thinking of Socrates,
Plato and Aristotle and to any one or two of the other Greek
scholars:








Heraclitus
Anaximander
Thales
Pythagoras
Parmenides
Socrates
Plato
Aristotle
Your work must include details on:
 the context they lived in (minor part)
 their views on philosophy, religion, ethics or a
combination of these (major part)
Part 2:
Which of the Philosophers do you think has made the
greatest contribution, and why? (A4 1-2 sides)
In your answer you should outline the effect this philosopher’s
thinking has had on modern philosophical thinking. Suggested
trigger words for your evaluation:
They played a major/minor part …
Their contribution was huge/ small
They influenced …
X’s contribution has had an effect on …
Significant impact …
Outstanding contribution to …
Major effect/ minor effect
Has inspired /or been an inspiration for …










Suggested Resources:
Sophie’s World Jostein Gaarder (easily available in
paperback)
Philosophy for Beginners Richard Osborne
The Story of Philosophy Brian McGee ( section attached
to pack)
Other paper backs on the Greek Philosophers
http://www.thebigview.com/greeks/index.html
For basic background
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/philosophy/
To help with influence on today go to
http://prezi.com/uq-srgvjpapc/ancient-greek-philosophy/
Youtube has short lectures if you type in Greek
Philosophy
Extended reading for Ethics, the novel ‘My sister’s
Keeper’
How long do I have to do it??
You have the summer holidays to do this. It is expected to be
a piece of work which properly reflects three hours of study
time, to include research and preparation of your final
presentation.
When is it due??
Your presentation MUST be ready for your first RE lesson
back in the week commencing MONDAY 5th September
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Part one:
High level: Your answer is balanced with essential points of
background. You have summarised and given an accurate
representation of each scholar’s thinking, with special
reference to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. You have used some
specialist vocabulary accurately. Your answer is well put
together and organised.
Middle Level: Your answer shows that you have selected and
summarised some of the main ideas in the thinking of Socrates,
Plato and Aristotle, though you have included too much
biographical detail. You have used some specialist vocabulary
with some understanding. Most of your points are clear and
organised.
Low level: You have put together some ideas on each of the
scholars but you have only referred to their thinking in a very
general way. Some attempt to organise your ideas, but some of
the work is not in your own words and does not make sense.
Part two:
High Level: You have shown evidence of wide reading and
research and have made a good attempt to show how some of
these scholars have had on impact on our thinking.
Middle Level: You have shown evidence of reading and been
able to make some judgments on the contribution some of
these scholars have made.
Low Level: Yu have made some simple statements about the
scholars but you have mostly repeated what you said earlier