Think Like a Philosopher

This course is for those without philosophical training who want to learn more about how to think philosophically, drawing on insights from past philosophical geniuses, beginning with Plato and ending with Ludwig Wittgenstein. In between, students will meet Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche and Iris Murdoch, plus a few other people.

The emphasis throughout is NOT on learning the history of philosophy. Instead, students will gain familiarity with the ideas of certain philosophers as the means to helping them to think in new ways that encourage them to reassess how to live an improved, even more humane, life. To that extent, while the course is academically informed, it is not academically oriented. Philosophy is treated as an activity, not a body of knowledge.

By the end, students will be able better to answer questions such as: What is the difference between right and wrong? Are there any moral absolutes? Is God dead and buried or can he still be spoken of intelligibly? Is post-truth ever true? Are some opinions better than others? Are science and religion incompatible? How free are we? Is beauty only in the eye of the beholder?

There are no course requirements, other than having an open and curious mind, a willingness to read a short pre-circulated ‘briefing paper’ before each class and to join in discussion.

Teaching methods will include that ‘briefing paper’, input ‘from the front’, viewing videos and discussion and guidance on optional further reading.