Year 12: VCE Unit 1 Philosophy

Year 12: VCE Unit 1 Philosophy

This VCE Unit 1 course for Year 12 students called ‘Existence, Knowledge and Reasoning’ will explore concepts of metaphysics, epistemology and philosophical inquiry (Outcomes 1-3) and will enable students to practice VCE skills and achieve another unit for their VCE.

Unit 1 – Existence, Knowledge, and Reasoning

What is the nature of reality? How can we acquire certain knowledge? This unit engages students with fundamental philosophical questions through active, guided investigation and critical discussion of two key areas of philosophy: epistemology and metaphysics.

Areas of Study:

1. Metaphysics – Analyse metaphysical problems and evaluate viewpoints and arguments arising from these and identify metaphysical problems in relevant contemporary debates.
2. Epistemology – Analyse problems of knowledge and evaluate viewpoints and arguments arising from these and analyse epistemological problems in the context of relevant contemporary debates.
3. Introduction to philosophical inquiry – Practise some basics of informal logic and other techniques of philosophical reasoning. Explore cognitive biases and consider any implications for approaching problems in epistemology and metaphysics.

Link to Study Design – VCE Philosophy 2025-2029 – Study Design