High School Subjects

Philosophy

Philosophy is not taught in most American high schools, but we believe a study of philosophy provides training that is essential to ponder important questions and think independently. Knowledge of how history's greatest thinkers have approached philosophical questions should be part of the patrimony of every human being.

Our curriculum includes two half-credit philosophy courses: Western Philosophy, which covers the major (mostly European) philosophers usually studied in a history of Western philosophy, and World Philosophy, which examines the question of how to live a good life from the perspectives of a variety of world civilizations both ancient and modern.

Both courses include a series of lectures from the Great Courses, along with a collection of readings. We recommend that all students take at least one; interested students may take both, as they complement each other and there is little overlap.