“The reference point for the orientation of the subject is the set of values as anchored in the constitution of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany and in human rights.” […] “At the centre of this are the well-founded argument and well-founded argumentation. What counts is the unforced coercion of the better argument. The opinions, world and value orientations of others must be treated respectfully; the ‘ban on overwhelming others’ must be observed.” […] “The teaching corresponds to the current understanding of the interaction of cognitive and emotive processes by making conscious and using emotional foundations and approaches for the students’ judgement and decision-making processes. Emotions and feelings are not only related to objects of learning, but also to learning contexts. Therefore, lessons and school life must be included as spheres of experience and action.”
The subject Philosophy in grades 11 and 12 belongs to the group of “subjects of the field of social science”. Among other things, these subjects are to contribute “to the critical reflection of stereotypes, to value education, to empathy and solidarity, to the development of social responsibility, to the shaping of a democratic society, to the preservation of the natural foundations of life, also for future generations in the sense of sustainable development, and to participation in the shaping of our culture.” The curriculum continues as follows: “The task of philosophy within the subjects in the field of social sciences is to contribute to the understanding of reality as a whole in its manifold dimensions and to consider the possibilities and limits of the epistemological faculties of humans. Moreover, the subject provides insight into the normative foundations of human action. In this way, philosophy lessons in the spirit of an enlightened culture of reason can contribute to better self-understanding, mutual understanding and tolerance towards other worldviews and ideas of man. The subject also offers the opportunity to reflect on subject-specific findings in interdisciplinary contexts and contributes to orientation in individual and social situations in which decisions have to be made.”
For the subjects Practical Philosophy and Philosophy, there are binding core curricula in North Rhine-Westphalia that define the framework. Within this framework, all schools then draw up their individual internal curricula, which concretise the core curricula for the teaching.