Cambridge Pre-U Philosophy and Theology (9774)
Other suggested resources
The textbooks and websites listed below have not been through the Cambridge quality assurance
process but have been found suitable for use with various parts of the 9774 syllabus by teachers. This
resource list includes website links providing direct access to internet resources. Cambridge is not
responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these websites. The inclusion of a
link to an external website should not be understood to be an endorsement of that website or the
site's owners (or their products/services).
Contents
1. Book publications ............................................................................................................................ 1
2. Online resources ............................................................................................................................. 3
3. Multimedia publications – CD-ROM, DVD or Audio ........................................................................ 5
1. Book publications
Title
The Rationalists: A History of Western Philosophy Series (see also The
Empiricists)
ISBN
An excellent resource for the teaching of the rationalist positions explored
within Paper 1 Topic 1b. Essential reading resource for those centres studying
Epistemology as a Topic area in Paper 2.
Cottingham J
Oxford University Press
9780192891907
Year published
Edition number
1988
1
Title
History of Western Philosophy
One of the best-selling philosophy books of the twentieth century. An excellent
book for learners to select from as many philosophers covered in the syllabus
can be explored through specific chapters in the book.
Russell B
Routledge
Brief description
Author
Publisher
Brief description
Author
Publisher
ISBN
Year published
9780415325059
2004
EBook available?
Yes, and an audio book version.
Title
Encountering Evil: Live Options in Theodicy
Eight prominent philosophers and theologians confront the problems posed by
natural and human evil for theistic belief. Each thinker sets out his or her
theodicy and its connections to current social and philosophical debates.
Other contributors offer critiques of each theodicy, to which its author
subsequently responds.
Editor: Davis S T
Westminster John Knox
Brief description
Author
Publisher
1
Cambridge Pre-U Philosophy & Theology (9774)
ISBN
9780664222512
Year published
Title
2004
Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong
A very accessible book for the teaching of Ethics. However, in some areas
topics are simplified and strong candidates will need additional reading.
Pojman L
Wadsworth
9780543178329
2004
Brief description
Author
Publisher
ISBN
Year published
Title
Brief description
Author
Publisher
ISBN
Year published
Title
Christian Ethics
A useful resource for the teaching of Christian Ethics. It is accessible, but also
provides a start point for more scholarly study where required.
Messer N
SCM Press
9780334029953
2006
Author
Publisher
ISBN
Year published
Edition number
Is Religion Dangerous?
An excellent response to the view that religious thinking is irrational and
perhaps even dangerous. This is a useful resource for providing balance when
teaching the topic Nature of Belief. Ward challenges the new atheist stance
that ‘only public reason’ defined in this ‘scientific’ way has any claim to be
taken seriously.
Ward K
Lion Books
9780745955308
2011
2
Title
Understanding Philosophy of Religion – A Complete Guide for AS and A2
Brief description
Brief description
Author
Publisher
ISBN
Year published
Title
Brief description
Author
Publisher
ISBN
Year published
2
This is a useful resource for those taking the Philosophy of Religion Topic
route.
Ahluwalia L
Oxford University Press
9781850082767
2008
Understanding Philosophy of Religion – A Complete Guide for AS and A2
A useful textbook, covering some of the core material on the Pre-U Philosophy
and Theology syllabus. Section 2 is particularly useful for the teaching of
Paper 1 Topic 1a. Plato and Aristotle.
Lacewing M
Routledge
9780415458238
2010
Cambridge Pre-U Philosophy & Theology (9774)
Title
AQA Philosophy: AS
ISBN
An excellent section on Epistemology and a useful resource for the teaching of
this topic.
Atherton M, Cluett C, McAdoo O, Rawlinson D, Sidoli J
Nelson Thornes
9780748789582
Year published
2008
Brief description
Author
Publisher
2. Online resources
Title
URL
Brief description
Additional notes
Title
URL
Brief description
Additional notes
Title
URL
Brief description
Additional notes
3
Closer to Truth: Cosmos Consciousness and Meaning
www.closertotruth.com
Closer to truth is a resource-rich website featuring over 4,000 video interviews
with world-renowned scientists and philosophers searching the vital ideas of
existence. A good resource, in particular, for teachers and learners needing to
engage with the writings and ideas of John Polkinghorne.
A useful resource for those teachers taking the Philosophy of Religion Topic
route (in Paper 2) or the Philosophy of Mind route (in Paper 3). These topics
are supported with interviews of Searle, Dennett and many other key thinkers.
Other useful interviews can help add depth to Paper 1 Topics (mainly 1b.
Epistemology and 1d. Nature of Belief).
St John’s College Nottingham: TIMELINE
www.youtube.com/user/StJohnsNottingham
The Timeline project offers learners’ an insight into various fields within
philosophy and theology. This is particularly useful for those teachers opting to
take either the New Testament or Old Testament route. It is equally valuable
for those taking the Philosophy of Religion route. There are superb lectures
exploring Augustinian thinking and that of John Hick.
John Cottingham’s talk on Descartes is very good for the Paper 1b
Epistemology Topic and for those teaching Descartes in other Topic choice
areas in Paper 2 and Paper 3.
Discussion on 'The Great Philosophers' with Bryan Magee
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFF9E7ADD88FBA144
An excellent but demanding, set of interviews, and useful for those opting for a
range of Topic routes in Paper 2 and Paper 3. Good interviews to aid the
teaching of Paper 1, for example, Plato, Aristotle and the Rationalists and
Empiricists.
Some famous interviews with Searle, Putman and Ayer are also useful for
those delivering Religious and Philosophical Language, Epistemology and the
Philosophy of Mind.
Cambridge Pre-U Philosophy & Theology (9774)
Title
Radio 4: In Our Time
URL
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qykl
Radio 4 discussion series hosted by Melvyn Bragg. An excellent resource
which allows learners to listen to philosophical and theological debates with
academics in an accessible yet scholarly fashion. They can help learners find
their own position within such debates and to see where the debate currently
‘sits.’ Certain episodes are invaluable for delivery of key topics, these include:
Empiricism (Paper 1, Topic 1b); Utilitarianism (Paper 3, Topic Ethics) and J.S.
Mill (Paper 3, Topic Ethics) and The Ontological Argument (Paper 2, Topic
Philosophy of Religion).
There are many episodes that can be of great use either as part of a lesson or
as extra work/homework etc.
Brief description
Additional notes
Title
Philosophy Bites (Edmonds and Warburton)
URL
www.philosophybites.com
A series of philosophy interviews/podcasts with contemporary philosophers.
Brief description
Additional notes
Simon Blackburn on Plato’s Cave (Topic 1a)
A.C. Grayling on Descartes' Cogito and Colin McGinn on Descartes on Innate
Knowledge (Topic 1b)
Simon Blackburn on Moral Relativism (Topic 1c)
A few useful episodes for Paper 1 teaching.
As with the ‘In our Time’ episodes, there are many episodes that can be of use
to the teacher either as part of a lesson or as extra work/homework etc.
Title
Explore God
URL
www.youtube.com/user/ExploreGod
Reflections on the great challenges to belief from believers. Particularly
interesting questions and reflections relating to the Problem of Evil. This is an
emotive resource with very personal experiences offered by the contributors.
The episode on Why Does God allow Pain and Suffering offers an interesting
insight into how people can find, or feel close to, a loving God through extreme
personal suffering.
Brief description
Additional notes
Title
Big Think
URL
www.youtube.com/user/bigthink
Some reflections from top thinkers on a range of issues. For example, Sam
Harris, Richard Dawkins and other new atheists reveal their ‘type’ of strong
rationalism/evidentialism (useful for Paper 1 Topic 1d.) and also their position
within the Science and Religion debate (Paper 2, Topic Philosophy of
Religion).
Brief description
Additional notes
4
Excellent interviews relating to the Freewill and Determinism debate from
Paper 1, Topic 1e.
Cambridge Pre-U Philosophy & Theology (9774)
Title
URL
Brief description
Title
URL
Brief description
Faraday Papers
www.faraday.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/Papers.php
Useful extra reading for Paper 1, Topic 1d. Nature of Belief, but more
essentially Paper 2, Topic Philosophy of Religion (John Polkinghorne’s
Science and creation and the Science and Religion topic).
Philosophy Now: a magazine of ideas (subscription only)
https://philosophynow.org
A superb resource for teachers and students. In particular, there are some
excellent articles on Mathematic Platonism, the idea that morality does not
exist and Sartre’s existentialism.
Title
The Philosophy of Religion
URL
http://www.philosophicalfragments.com/pdf/The_Philosophy_of_Religion.pdf
(online version of Mitchell’s important edition)
Brief description
Great online version for teachers and students to dip into.
Title
URL
The determinism and freedom website (UCL)
www.ucl.ac.uk/~uctytho/dfwIntroIndex.htm
Superb resource for this topic area (Paper 1 Topic 1e.) ensuring the integrity
and accuracy of positions within this complex area.
Brief description
3. Multimedia publications – CD-ROM, DVD or Audio
Title
Author
Publisher
ISBN
Year published
Availability
Philosophy & Ethics Through Film: Ethical Theories DVD-ROM
For those teachers looking for a CD-Rom resource, this DVD covers three
ethical theories; Utilitarianism; Kantian Ethics; Virtue Ethics and features
interviews with contemporary philosophers.
Pollard L (Author) and Ahluwalia L (Editor)
OUP Oxford
9780199136186
2012
www.amazon.co.uk/Philosophy-Ethics-Through-Film-Theories/dp/0199136181
Title
Examined Life (DVD)
Brief description
Brief description
Author
ISBN
Year published*
Availability
5
Top academic thinkers encouraging the application of Philosophy to all areas
of life. Particularly useful for stretching learners and encouraging them to think
more creatively and to consider topics beyond the syllabus. For example
Cornel West’s reflections are an interesting insight when considering Plato’s
Cave (see also here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRNMZEDOBrM)
Taylor A (Director)
B0034KX5Q4
2010
www.amazon.co.uk/Examined-Life-DVD-JudithButler/dp/B0034KX5Q4/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1471863471&sr=11&keywords=philosophy
Cambridge Pre-U Philosophy & Theology (9774)
Title
Brief description
Author
ISBN
Year published*
Availability
God on Trial (DVD)
A spectacular film with which to explore Protest Theodicy (Paper 2, Topic
Philosophy of Religion and the Problem of Evil)
DeEmmony A (Director)
B003INSC3I
2010
www.amazon.co.uk/GOD-TRIAL-Josef-Altin/dp/B003INSC3I
© Cambridge International Examinations 2016 Version 1
Updated: 26.08.16
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Cambridge Pre-U Philosophy & Theology (9774)