Customer Reviews

Disappointing for an AQA endorsed text book - By: A Philosophy Teacher, 18 Sep 2008
The AQA endorsed text book for the new AS Philosophy specification is, quite frankly, a disappointment. Much has been made of Nelson Thornes' partnership with AQAin producing new resources for their AS & A2 specifications, especially given the senior examiners that have worked on it.

Unlike the alternative Philosophyin Focus AS textbook, this does include all of the 10 themes across the two units. However, the book lacks the detail & clarity that characterise the aforementioned alternative book. Key terms & concepts aren't always explained, the implications of examples from philosophers aren't always drawn out & some of the chapters are frustratingin their layout, jumping backwards & forwards between related concepts, rather than progressing logically &in a linear fashion. Furthermore, the planned accompanying electronic resources aren't yet available, despite teaching of the new specification beginning at the start of this academic year.

I feel sorry for those students that have purchased the book or are having to use it, due to a lack of viable available alternatives at the start of this term. My students are having to use it as the Philosophyin Focus text book does not cover all of the units they are studying, such as Tolerance & Why Should I Be Governed? However if, as a student or a teacher, your topics are covered by the Philosophyin Focus book or Michael Lacewing's AS Philosophy text book, I'd buy one of them instead.