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Review
This book focuses on the new AQA specifications for A level Religious Studies AS units (Philosophy of Religion) and D (Religion, Philosophy and Science) and A2 units 3B (Philosophy of Religion). The standard arguments for God appear along with examinations of religious experience, miracles, religion and science, psychology and religion, atheism and postmodernism, religious language, and life after death. The nature of God is explored in the chapter on creation, and there is an interesting section about quantum mechanics and a religious worldview in the design argument chapter. This is a comprehensive and thorough textbook, accurate in its detail, although I would question the labelling of Moltmann as a process theologian. His idea of the crucified God draws on classical Reform theology from Barth rather than the work of Whitehead - God's suffering is a voluntary choice rather than a lack of omnipotence. However, the sections on religious experience and religion and science are particularly good. The teacher's book is a helpful photocopiable collection of primary sources with accompanying questions, sample answers, short revision questions and answers, and key revision summaries. The extracts include familiar passages from Hume, Paley, Kant, Flew and the Russell-Copleston dialogue, for example, along with Plato on the soul, Nietzsche on the death of God, and Ogden Nash on the problems of metaphor. There are interesting contemporary contributions, such as Peter Atkins on science and religion, Mark Vernon on the via negativa, and Rusty Entrekin arguing for the teaching of 'creation science'. This is a detailed and helpful student book. The teacher's book is definitely one for the shelf - a very handy source of materials and ideas." --RE Today - Stephen Pett - May 2009
I would say that the Understanding Philosophy of Religion textbook by Libby Ahluwalia is extremely well-written; fun as well as factual, containing comprehensive and detailed extracts from primary sources which have been carefully selected. It is comprehensive for students of all abilities, yet can stretch the most able, especially when combined with the teacher's book resource. Although it is a complete guide for the examinations, it doesn't feel like a textbook, and the scholars find it engaging and comprehensive. --L Burton, HoD at Dean Close School
I would say that the Understanding Philosophy of Religion textbook by Libby Ahluwalia is extremely well-written; fun as well as factual, containing comprehensive and detailed extracts from primary sources which have been carefully selected. It is comprehensive for students of all abilities, yet can stretch the most able, especially when combined with the teacher's book resource. Although it is a complete guide for the examinations, it doesn't feel like a textbook, and the scholars find it engaging and comprehensive. --L Burton, HoD at Dean Close School
Review
Ahluwalia's book is thoroughly and rigorously comprehensive. (Amazon teacher review )
Ahluwalia writes with such clarity that makes topics easy to understand. (Amazon student review )
To put it bluntly, this is definitely a book I would recommend to my students. I found the chapters to be accurate and comprehendible. Whilst I'm a fan of other text books, I found this to be the best available because it explained concepts in an easily understandable way. I've found most of the other text books out there to be particularly incomprehensible (even though I've studied the topics at a higher level!) so it was a lovely surprise to open this book and see that it was actually targeted to A-level students. (Amazon teacher review )
This textbook is honestly the most useful resource in learning philosophy A Level that I have come across. It explains each idea in great detail while also providing succinct summaries. It completely covers the syllabus while also going beyond the syllabus to give a rounded knowledge. I fully recommend it to anyone studying the A Level or to anyone hoping to learn about philosophy. (Amazon review )
I am really happy with the book and I find it thorough, comprehensive and easy to understand. (Amazon student review )
I was so pleased that finally an A Level RS book managed to give the main points simply and then expand with extra detail rather than take pages and pages explaining something in a stupidly complex way! (Amazon student review )
Ahluwalia writes with such clarity that makes topics easy to understand. (Amazon student review )
To put it bluntly, this is definitely a book I would recommend to my students. I found the chapters to be accurate and comprehendible. Whilst I'm a fan of other text books, I found this to be the best available because it explained concepts in an easily understandable way. I've found most of the other text books out there to be particularly incomprehensible (even though I've studied the topics at a higher level!) so it was a lovely surprise to open this book and see that it was actually targeted to A-level students. (Amazon teacher review )
This textbook is honestly the most useful resource in learning philosophy A Level that I have come across. It explains each idea in great detail while also providing succinct summaries. It completely covers the syllabus while also going beyond the syllabus to give a rounded knowledge. I fully recommend it to anyone studying the A Level or to anyone hoping to learn about philosophy. (Amazon review )
I am really happy with the book and I find it thorough, comprehensive and easy to understand. (Amazon student review )
I was so pleased that finally an A Level RS book managed to give the main points simply and then expand with extra detail rather than take pages and pages explaining something in a stupidly complex way! (Amazon student review )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
If you're new to the OCR Religious Studies A level then you're either a student or (like me) a teacher who suddenly had to master a completely new A level subject.
With the switch to the new specification, there has been the usual rush to bring out supporting textbooks. Heinemann have published the 'Official' companion ("OCR AS Philosophy and Ethics Student Book", Taylor, Eyre & Knight) which is probably worth having in the department as a reference for things likely to come up in the exam, but is otherwise almost useless as a learning aid. It glosses over enormously complex ideas in a sentence. I tested it out by asking students to read a fairly small section and see if they understood it. 'No' was the universal answer.
Ahluwalia's book is thoroughly and rigorously comprehensive. It gives step by step introductions to all the topics, sub-topics and issues. It references all the relevant thinkers and although 16 year olds may well not be able to follow it all on their own, it offers everything they need to understand the issues raised on this course.
With the switch to the new specification, there has been the usual rush to bring out supporting textbooks. Heinemann have published the 'Official' companion ("OCR AS Philosophy and Ethics Student Book", Taylor, Eyre & Knight) which is probably worth having in the department as a reference for things likely to come up in the exam, but is otherwise almost useless as a learning aid. It glosses over enormously complex ideas in a sentence. I tested it out by asking students to read a fairly small section and see if they understood it. 'No' was the universal answer.
Ahluwalia's book is thoroughly and rigorously comprehensive. It gives step by step introductions to all the topics, sub-topics and issues. It references all the relevant thinkers and although 16 year olds may well not be able to follow it all on their own, it offers everything they need to understand the issues raised on this course.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
When I ordered this book I wasn't sure what to expect; I was just about to sit the Philosophy of Religion paper for my A-level and wanted some supplementary reading to the work i'd already done.
I'm actually in quite a unique position as I teach RS but I hadn't had the option to do the subject at A-level so I decided to buy course materials and teach myself it. In effect, I looked at this book from the perspective of a teacher and a student.
To put it bluntly, this is definitely a book I would recommend to my students. I found the chapters to be accurate and comprehendable. Whilst i'm a fan of other text books, particularly Taylor, I found this to be the best available because it explained concepts in an easily understandable way. I've found that most of the other text books out there to be particularly incomprehensible (even though i've studied the topics at a higher level!) so it was a lovely surprise to open this book and see that it was actually targetted to A-level students. If you contrast, for example, the chapter on religious language with that found in Taylor, Ahluwahlia's approach is so much warmer.
My only issue with this book is that at times it lacks specific detail and therefore performs the role of a stepping stone into the topic rather than anything else. However, nobody should undertake a course using only one textbook so I don't consider this to be a major flaw. I think this book would be highly complemented by the red philosophy of religion booklets with some supplementation by Taylor.
I'm actually in quite a unique position as I teach RS but I hadn't had the option to do the subject at A-level so I decided to buy course materials and teach myself it. In effect, I looked at this book from the perspective of a teacher and a student.
To put it bluntly, this is definitely a book I would recommend to my students. I found the chapters to be accurate and comprehendable. Whilst i'm a fan of other text books, particularly Taylor, I found this to be the best available because it explained concepts in an easily understandable way. I've found that most of the other text books out there to be particularly incomprehensible (even though i've studied the topics at a higher level!) so it was a lovely surprise to open this book and see that it was actually targetted to A-level students. If you contrast, for example, the chapter on religious language with that found in Taylor, Ahluwahlia's approach is so much warmer.
My only issue with this book is that at times it lacks specific detail and therefore performs the role of a stepping stone into the topic rather than anything else. However, nobody should undertake a course using only one textbook so I don't consider this to be a major flaw. I think this book would be highly complemented by the red philosophy of religion booklets with some supplementation by Taylor.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
This textbook is honestly the most useful resource in learning philosophy a level that I have come across. It explains each idea in great detail while also providing succinct summarys. It completely covers the syllabus while also going beyond he syllabus to give a rounded knowledge. I fully reccomend it to anyone studying the A level or to anyone hoping to learn about philosophy.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
It's great but be careful!
I am really happy with the book and I find it thorough, comprehensive and easy to understand however, if you are buying it from amazon be careful! Read more
Published 1 month ago by A.
a thorough and easy-to-understand book for all exam boards
I was so pleased that finally an A-level R.S. book managed to give the main points simply and then expand with extra detail rather than take pages and pages explaining something in... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Pippa
A very good guide
I was aware of Ahluwalia's work prior to purchasing. Although I am now studying for my A2 levels, making the AS section of no use at all to me, so far I've found the book very... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Francis Bennett
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