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Browse syllabus-aligned IB Philosophy revision notes by topic. Open each chapter for explanations, examples, and summaries.
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1.1.1 Personal identity
48 minute read
1.1.2 Identity over time
32 minute read
1.1.3 Cultural identity
1.2.1 Self/non-self
45 minute read
1.2.2 Solipsism and inter-subjectivity
41 minute read
1.2.3 Relations to others
44 minute read
1.3.1 Consciousness, the self and the world
53 minute read
1.3.2 The mind-body problem
46 minute read
1.3.3 The problem of other minds
1.4.1 Self-consciousness
52 minute read
1.4.2 Agency
1.4.3 Moral responsibility
49 minute read
1.5.1 Individuality and universality
1.5.2 The nature versus nurture debate
1.5.3 Emotion and reason
51 minute read
1.6.1 Freedom and determinism
50 minute read
1.6.2 Social conditioning
58 minute read
1.6.3 Existential angst and authenticity
55 minute read
2.1.1 The nature of art
2.1.2 Creativity
2.1.3 Art and its physical, social and cultural context
3.1.1 Nature of knowledge
3.1.2 Truth
3.1.3 Sources of knowledge
43 minute read
4.1.1 Moral principles
4.1.2 Virtue/character-based theories
42 minute read
4.1.3 Deontological versus teleological theories
5.1.1 Nature of God
5.1.2 Arguments for the existence of God
5.1.3 Arguments against the existence of God
6.1.1 The nature of science
56 minute read
6.1.2 Demarcation
47 minute read
6.1.3 Methodologies of science
7.1.1 The state and its origins
7.1.2 Forms of government
54 minute read
7.1.3 Civil society
8.1.1 Formal and informal social structures
8.1.2 Nature, structure and function of social institutions
8.1.3 Family, marriage and education as social institutions
9.1.1 Nature and role of technology
9.1.2 Impact of technology on individuals and societies
2.2.1 The artist
2.2.2 The artistic process
2.2.3 The artist and society
2.3.1 Aesthetic experience
2.3.2 Aesthetic judgement
40 minute read
2.3.3 Beauty and taste
3.2.1 Scepticism
3.2.2 Theories of perception
3.2.3 Theories of justification
3.3.1 Knowledge and power
3.3.2 Access to knowledge
3.3.3 Knowledge and technology
4.2.1 The origins and nature of moral values
39 minute read
4.2.2 Foundations for moral judgements
4.2.3 Ethical language
4.3.1 Biomedical ethics
4.3.2 Business ethics
4.3.3 Distribution of wealth
5.2.1 Nature of religious language
5.2.2 The problem of religious language
5.2.3 Attempted solutions to the problem of religious language
5.3.1 Definitions/characteristics of religious experience
5.3.2 The value of religious experience
5.3.3 Religion in a multicultural environment
6.2.1 Cognitive science and the concept of the self
6.2.2 Explanations of the self
6.2.3 Causality and determinism
6.3.1 Science and values
6.3.2 The effects of society and social values on science
6.3.3 Implications of science
7.2.1 Social justice
7.2.2 Distributive justice, retributive justice, and punishment
7.2.3 Interrelationships between justice, freedom and equality
7.3.1 Rights, duties and responsibilities
7.3.2 Positive and negative liberty
7.3.3 Censorship and freedom of information
8.2.1 Treatment of minority and marginalized groups in society
8.2.2 Tolerance
8.2.3 Social discontent and social change
8.3.1 Nature of gender
8.3.2 Gender and identity
8.3.3 Gender politics
9.1.3 Philosophical challenges arising from development of technology
57 minute read
9.2.1 Environmental challenges and degradation
9.2.2 Environmental conservation and activism
9.2.3 Intrinsic and extrinsic value
38 minute read
9.3.1 Nature of philosophy
9.3.2 Function and meaning of philosophy
9.3.3 Philosophical methodology
63 minute read
10.1.1 Logical Positivism and the Verification Principle
10.1.2 Implications for Philosophy and Metaphysics
10.1.3 The Nature of Ethical and Aesthetic Judgments
10.1.4 Theory of Knowledge and Analytic/Synthetic Distinction
10.1.5 Ayer's View of the Self
10.1.6 Criticisms and Limitations
10.1.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.2.1 The Nature of the Self and Moral Cultivation
30 minute read
10.2.2 Ethical Foundations: Ren, Li, Yi, and Xiao
10.2.3 Virtue Ethics and Moral Development
35 minute read
10.2.4 Social Harmony and Political Philosophy
34 minute read
10.2.5 Philosophy of Language and Communication
10.2.6 Views on Knowledge and Wisdom
10.3.1 Radical Doubt and the Quest for Certainty
37 minute read
10.3.2 Cogito Ergo Sum: The Self as a Thinking Thing
10.3.3 Clear and Distinct Perceptions
10.3.4 Proofs for the Existence of God
10.3.5 Mind–Body Dualism
10.3.6 Knowledge of the External World
10.4.1 The Colonized Self and Racialized Identity
36 minute read
10.4.2 The Other and the White Gaze
10.4.3 Language, Power, and Identity
10.4.4 Psychological Effects of Racism and Colonialism
10.4.5 Fanon’s Critique of Humanism and Universalism
10.4.6 Violence and Liberation (in connection to his later work)
10.5.1 The Genealogical Method
10.5.2 Master Morality vs. Slave Morality (First Essay)
10.5.3 Bad Conscience and the Origins of Guilt (Second Essay)
10.5.4 Ascetic Ideals and the Role of Philosophers and Priests (Third Essay)
10.5.5 Critique of Morality and Call for a Revaluation of Values
10.6.1 The Capabilities Approach: A New Metric for Justice and Development
10.6.2 Central Human Capabilities
10.6.3 Justice, Equality, and Human Dignity
10.6.4 The Self and Vulnerability
10.6.5 The Role of Government and Public Policy
10.6.6 Global Justice and Cross-Cultural Application
10.7.1 The Rise of the ‘Mass Man’
10.7.2 Crisis of Individuality and Excellence
10.7.3 The Revolt Against Authority and Tradition
10.7.4 Technology and Mass Civilization
10.7.5 The Role of the Intellectual and the Minority
10.7.6 Freedom, Responsibility, and the Modern Self
10.8.1 Justice in the Individual and the State (Book IV)
10.8.2 The Philosopher-King and the Ideal Ruler (Books V–VII)
10.8.3 The Theory of Forms and the Form of the Good
10.8.4 Education and the Ascent of the Soul (Book VII)
10.8.5 Degeneration of the Soul and the State (Books VIII–IX)
10.9.1 The Ideal of Authenticity and Its Modern Distortions
10.9.2 Recognition and the Dialogical Nature of the Self
10.9.3 The Importance of Horizons of Meaning
10.9.4 Freedom, Individualism, and Moral Sources
10.9.5 Critique of Instrumental Reason
10.9.6 Authenticity, Democracy, and the Public Sphere
10.10.1 The Nature of the Tao (The Way)
33 minute read
10.10.2 Wu Wei: Action Through Non-Action
31 minute read
10.10.3 Simplicity, Humility, and Ethical Living
10.10.4 The Self as Relational and Dynamic
10.10.5 Governance and Political Philosophy
10.10.6 Epistemological Humility
10.11.1 Volume I, Part I: Destiny - Biology, Psychoanalysis, and Historical Materialism
10.11.2 Volume I, Part I: Destiny - Woman as Other
10.11.3 Volume II, Part I: Childhood - Becoming Woman
10.11.4 Volume II, Part I: Childhood - Consciousness and Ambiguity
10.11.5 Volume II, Part IV: The Independent Woman - The Illusion of Freedom
10.12.1 The Principle of Liberty and the Harm Principle
10.12.2 Individuality as a Moral Ideal
10.12.3 Freedom of Speech and the Marketplace of Ideas
10.12.4 Limits of Government and the Tyranny of the Majority
10.12.5 Moral Autonomy and Responsibility
10.12.6 The Self as Rational and Progressive
10.2.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.3.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.4.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.5.6 Power, Knowledge, and Moral Authority
10.5.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.6.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.7.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.8.6 The Nature of the Self
10.8.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.9.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.10.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.11.6 Volume II, Part IV: The Independent Woman - Authentic Freedom
10.11.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
10.12.7 Connections to the Core Theme and Optional Themes
