Ancient Philosophical Influences OCR A-Level Religious Studies Revision

An exploration of Plato and Aristotle’s influence on religious thought, examining soul, body, purpose, virtue, and their lasting impact on philosophy and theology for the OCR syllabus.

This topic explores how ancient Greek philosophy, particularly the ideas of Plato and Aristotle, has shaped religious and ethical thinking. Students examine key metaphysical and ethical ideas and assess their continuing influence on Christian theology and philosophical thought.

1. Plato’s Philosophy

• The Theory of Forms
• The distinction between the World of Forms and the World of Appearances
• Forms as perfect, eternal, and unchanging realities
• The Form of the Good as the highest and ultimate reality
• Plato’s cave analogy

1. Plato’s View of the Soul

• The soul as immortal and pre-existent
• The tripartite soul: Reason (rational), Spirit (emotion/ambition),Appetite (desire)
• The analogy of the charioteer
  -The soul’s relationship to knowledge, morality, and the Forms

1. Aristotle’s Philosophy

• Aristotle’s Rejection of Plato’s Theory of Forms
• Forms exist within objects, not separately
• Knowledge comes from observation and experience
• Emphasis on empirical investigation

1. Aristotle’s View of Purpose and Causation

• The Four Causes: material, formal, efficient, and final
• Teleology: everything has an end or purpose (telos)

1. Evaluation and Criticisms

• Strengths and weaknesses of Platonic dualism
• Problems with Aristotle’s rejection of an immortal soul
• Relevance of ancient philosophy to modern religious belief
• Whether ancient ideas remain persuasive today

Essay questions