VCE Philosophy 4th Edition
A Student Text for Units 3&4

Lenny Robinson & Anna Symes

$77.00 inc. GST
±350pp, 275x195mm, softcover

ISBN 978-1921333-89-7

Available October 2024

Specifically designed to meet the demands of the new VCE Philosophy Study Design and Prescribed Text List (2025) and an invaluable resource for navigating key knowledge, skills and assessment requirements for Units 3&4.

A NEW TEXTBOOK FOR A NEW STUDY DESIGN – VCE UNITS 3&4
Building on the success of the first textbook ever written to address explicitly the knowledge and skills of VCE Philosophy Units 3&4, VCE Philosophy: A Student Text for Units 3&4 is a brand new textbook written to address the specific demands of the new VCE Study Design and Prescribed Text List (2025).

Adopting a fresh approach targeting the general questions set for each Area of Study, it provides detailed guidance on using the set texts to explore and develop perspectives in response to these questions. Stimulating activities help students to apply their philosophical and textual knowledge to the exploration of contemporary issues and case studies, while advancing skills of reasoning, analysis and evaluation.

With a wealth of contextual material, stimulus prompts, review questions, sample assessment tasks, suggestions for supplementary reading and tips for assessment, this book offers comprehensive support for navigating the challenges of Units 3&4 Philosophy and will prove indispensable for teachers and students alike.

UNITS 3&4 CONTENTS
Chapter 1 – The Good Life and the Individual
• What does a good life mean to you? Introductory materials and activities
• What role do pleasure and self-discipline play in the good life?
• What is the nature of happiness and what is its role in the good life?
• What role do love and friendship play in the good life?
• To what extent is the good life dependent on freedom and authenticity?
• The good life, the individual and questions of contemporary living
• Review activities
• Suggestions for assessment
Chapter 2 – The Good Life and Others
• The good of others: Introductory materials and activities
• What obligations, if any, do we have to others?
• What is the role of rights and justice in the good life?
• What does a good life have to do with being morally good?
• What is the relationship between the good of the individual and the good of others?
• The good of others and questions of contemporary living
• Review activities
• Suggestions for assessment
Chapter 3 – Foundations of Belief
• Foundations of belief: Introductory materials and activities
• What role should experience, testimony and expertise play in the formation of and justification for belief?
• What responsibilities, if any, do we have to ourselves and others in regards to belief, justification and belief formation?
• In what circumstances should we trust assertions made by others?
• What should we do in light of others holding beliefs that disagree with ours?
• Believing well and living well
• Review activities
• Suggestions for assessment
Chapter 4 – Contemporary Applications
• Applying primary texts to explore case studies
• Silencing, exclusion and cancelling
• Misinformation, disinformation and echo chambers
• Truth, trust, credibility and expertise
• Suggestions for assessment
Chapter 5 – Suggestions for Study