Part 1.1: Core Theme

What Is a Human Being?

One of the reasons we study philosophy is to search for a better understanding of ourselves both as individuals and as members of groups and wider communities. The Core Theme offers candidates the opportunity to do this from the more epistemological perspective of analytical philosophy as well as from the more ethical perspective of existential philosophy.

These perspectives ask quite different questions: How can I be sure I really know the other?
What specific meaning does the fact that we are conscious of being mortal give to our life?
For the sake of clarity the topics below are in two lists, but this should not exclude the
possibility of looking for links between the lists.
If the definition of .person. or .identity. in the first topic is the starting point for the
investigation of the Core Theme, it may be enriched by the study of specific individual and social experiences mentioned in the second topic, The Human Condition. Becoming aware of the .human condition. can inspire us to examine our characteristics: self-conscious beings, capable of using language and making value judgements; or, made of mind and body, we combine reason, emotions and experiences in our understanding of ourselves, others and the world.

Topics for Study

Mind and Body

. What is a person? The question of self, the relationship of mind and body.
. Manifestations of personhood: self-consciousness, language, agency, dreams,
imagination, intuition, passion, reason and emotion.
. Could animals or machines be persons?
. The universality of human nature and the diversity of individuals.
. The question of self: Is it possible to know oneself? To know others? Solipsism
and intersubjectivity.
. Freedom and determinism.

The Human Condition

. Interpretations of .human nature.: language use, sociability, empathy, aggression,
creativity, play, reason and autonomy.
. Interpretations of .the human condition.: our existence in time and space;
biological and social necessities; gender and social conditioning.
. Existential anxiety; meaning and meaninglessness.
. Freedom, responsibility and authenticity.
. Nihilism versus the invention of values.

SYLLABUS DETAILS
IBOThe aim of studying the Themes is to enable students to engage in their own disciplined reflection on central philosophical issues. Whenever teachers use the work of established philosophers in teaching the Themes, the purpose is to develop the student.s own thinking rather than broadening their knowledge of philosophical theories and thinkers. A historical approach is to be discouraged at all times.

There is no prescribed supporting material for the Themes, and teachers can use a wide range of sources when studying the themes, including:
. philosophical and non-philosophical texts
. newspaper extracts
. films/movies
. television programmes
. paintings
. cartoons
. advertisements.