NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm currently making my choices for A levels, I've decided 3 of them (Chemistry, Biology, Physics), but I'm stuck (despite a taster lesson in both) for the last one - either philosophy or psychology. Has anyone here done either or even both for A level? What would you recommend?

It'd probably be better to do philosophy so you have an essay based subject in amongst your science mix.

It looks like you're going for the medicine approach; Psychology would probably be more useful, in that respect. If it were me, though, I'd do Philosophy.

I've taken both classes and I'd say philosophy just because it gets you thinking. Psychology is a cool class because you delve into all of the different areas of study and different methods of assessment but with Philosophy a question is always asked and it is never answered completely. It gets your mind going, and you learn to look at things in a completely new way.

Also, if you are taking all of those science classes just because, it would be a welcome break from facts. Although, if you plan on making a career in medicine, Psychology would be most beneficial.

I'm currently making my choices for A levels, I've decided 3 of them (Chemistry, Biology, Physics), but I'm stuck (despite a taster lesson in both) for the last one - either philosophy or psychology.
It depends on what you want to study at university. I'd recommend philosophy if you're thinking of studying one of the first three at university, as it'll impress the selectors more (professors in those subjects tend to regard psychology as a 'soft' subject, whereas parts of philosophy are relevant to - and taught in - science degrees).

I do Philosophy. If you enjoy thinking logically, new ideas, discussion, and some debate then go for it. It's my favourite subject.

well, it depends, will you be better off learning how to think, or how to influence the thoughts of others.
here in N.A. we seem to use a different designation system for our schooling, but I found Introductory Psycology interesting, kind of like Statistics, exept without all the numbers.

Seems philosophy is the best subject to go for, especially bearing in mind the other subjects. On the other hand, I've heard philosophy is quite a lot of work - particularly essays.

I would go with philosophy, myself. It is a much broader category with more possibilities, I think.

Philosophy absolutely.

I loved philosophy, i'm always thinking of the kind of stuff that's usually discussed in philosophy. I love having conversations, actually sitting there and discussing stuff and being able to formulate your own opinions about things. It really makes you think. I did enjoy psychology, but i liked philosophy more.

Philosophy.


The fact that I may just be biased because I first did Philosophy A'level, then a BA in it and then an MA has no bearing on it.

do yourself a favor and go with the class that has the best teacher

Philosophy. Even a BAD philosophy class will benefit you. Psychology, on the other hand... Well, let's just say that as a university educator I have encountered a LOT of students who were confused and prejudiced about psychology because of the stupid things their poorly informed high school teachers told them.

And I know you all worship your high school teachers, but trust me on this one: they DON'T know what they're talking about.

I think that both are fascinating, but I’ve always been more interested in Philosophy because it has so very much time to have given us so much and still leaves the door open for infinite new ideas. Unfortunately for Philosophy, today’s modern black and white media world of polar opposites for dummies isn’t doing its future a lot of favours. Philosophers today seem more likely to write a book rehashing ancient thoughts or writing a philosophy of some popular science fiction epic, than apply their knowledge to their modern world. It’s also very difficult to get anywhere today with Philosophy. Unless you go into Theology, you’re likely to see very little support for your studies.

Psychology for all its glory as a new science is still a lot like a bike with training wheels. For all of the great thinkers in this field they have barely begun to scratch the surface of their science and escape their own dogma. In the last decade, things have begun to rapidly change, but a lot of it is now being tech driven instead of mind driven.

I did psychology, and greatly enjoyed it, but then I did have a superb teacher at my school for psychology. I've got some friends who do philosophy, and they do enjoy it also, but that have said that there is a lot of long essay writing, so that could either be a positive or a negative based on the rest of the subjects you have chosen. If you were going to do medicine, I would probably suggest psychology, and I would most likely suggest psychology anyway from my perspective, but ultimately I would just suggest doing whatever subject appeals to you more.

I think philosophy for the reasons already given. I think psychology is overrated- though not for the same reasons Tom Cruise gives.

Do both. They contribute alot to each other.

question, what exactly are "a levels"? is it anything like advanced placement classes in ye olde u.s.?

anyway, i vote philosophy. and that has nothing at all to do with my undergrad degree in the subject or the grad degree that's sort of in progress either.

A levels are... hmm... how to describe them without insulting the British education system?

I'm doing psychology at the moment. While it is fairly interesting, you have to do three hours of intensive writing all at once in the exam. So go with philosophy.

question, what exactly are "a levels"? is it anything like advanced placement classes in ye olde u.s.?

anyway, i vote philosophy. and that has nothing at all to do with my undergrad degree in the subject or the grad degree that's sort of in progress either.

They are the final exams, given at the end of what people in the US call high-school (sixth form in England). They basically cover the last two years of coursework. Most people take three or four.

When I did them, the entire grade was based upon a single final at the end of two years. I beleive now, that they include a coursework element in the grade.

You need them for university entrance in most cases. There are no SATs over there.

Actually, they are pretty useful. I got a scholarship in the US based upon my A'level results and I never took the SATs. You have to go to a school that is used to international students however.

I'm completing my psychology degree at the moment; after years of being very much in the arts and humanities camp at school, and a law student later on, I can honestly say there's no academic subject I've done that's more intellectually stimulating than psychology.

Ask and rely on other folk for practical considerations like coursework vs exams etc., but if you want to try and learn why we are the way we are, and study something interesting, innovative, creative, yet which can still be grounded in solid empericism, go for psychology :)

Many many people I know have picked Psychology, virtually all of them hate it. I personally love my philisophy lessons, but that's because our teacher is more focused on having us do proper philosphical debate than passing innane goverment set tests.