A taste of philosophy
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: HP065
Duration: 1 session
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The course is designed for those who wish to learn about the philosophical manner of thinking, and how to use philosophical texts. We explore how philosophy is used to analyse concepts such as justice, freedom, and anything else that the would-be philosopher has in mind.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
What is it that philosophers do? A simple examination of the relation between thinking, concepts and reality. How to think about a concept such as 'justice' or 'freedom'. Consider what a philosophical argument is with some examples of philosophical arguments taken from diverse philosophical writings.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Analyse a concept in a philosophical fashion
- Construct a simple philosophical argument on a topic of your own interest.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a general introductory course and no prior knowledge is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will run in a 'seminar' format with short tutor presentations followed by Q&A and open discussion. No outside work is required.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
None. Handouts of relevant texts will be provided. Bring pen/pencil and notebook.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This taster course is a good preparation for our term-long Introduction to Philosophy courses beginnning in September (HP004 and HP005). Please see the prospectus or website (www.citylit.ac.uk) for further details.
From reading Philosophy at a young age to the formal study of Cognitive Science, Philosophy & Psychology at the Universities of London and Sussex - after a prior career in video-arts - John Goff has been presenting philosophy courses to adults since the early 2000s. He uses a cross-disciplinary, seminar-based approach in his courses, drawing on Philosophy, Psychology and the wider Humanities & Social Sciences with an emphasis on the intersection of contemporary and classical European and Asian philosophical thought. He is the author of several works of philosophical fiction concerning artificial minds and organisms and alternative-human worlds including the novel 'The Last Days of the Most Hidden Man' and the novellas 'Eidopolis', 'Agents of Erasure' and 'Jupiter|Saturn'. His academic writings can be found on his academia.edu page at 'https://independentscholar.academia.edu/JohnGoff'.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
