Explore Philosophy, Religion & Belief
From the meaning of life to moral dilemmas: explore the questions philosophers and thinkers have pondered for centuries. Our daytime, evening and weekend courses cover a wide range of subjects. Join a class to encounter ethics and existentialism, memory and the mind, or discover the paradoxes and politics of the modern world.
Expert tutors
Our classes are taught by experienced, professional tutors with a wide range of specialisms in philosophy, from ethics to political philosophy, and from Eastern philosophies to psychoanalysis to name just a few. Many of our tutors also teach at London universities and bring their expertise from other academic disciplines, for example art, literature and politics. Please refer to specific course outlines for individual tutor biographies.
Studying at City Lit
Philosophy courses are offered in a range of formats and lengths - from a single day to a twelve-week course, during the day, in the evening and at weekends. Courses can be studied singly or in combination with other courses as your interests and learning develop in new directions. A number of our past philosophy students have gone on to study philosophy at university at degree and masters level.
Find a course
Browse our range of philosophy courses in London and online below to choose your perfect option: both complete beginners and returning students are equally welcome at City Lit.
- History of ideas: human rights - from John Locke to John RawlsCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cristina PaternoJoin us on a captivating exploration of human rights history! In our sessions, we'll explore pivotal debates and innovative ideas across different epochs and cultures. Don't miss out on this enlightening journey!Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - History of Ideas in Maths and Engineering
Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ketan VariaJoin this course to explore the intertwined evolution of mathematics and engineering, from the invention of the wheel to the foundational mathematical theories developed up to the 20th century.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £169.00 Concession £110.00 - The power of wellbeing from Aristotle to Buddha: a journey of self-discoveryCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cristina PaternoJoin us on an incredible journey of self-discovery as we explore the concept of well-being, from Aristotle's ancient wisdom to Buddha's enlightening perspectives. We will connect these ideas with today's world, giving you plenty of chances to debate and reflect on your own thoughts.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - A taste of philosophy Course start date: Sun 4 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John GoffHave you ever wondered what philosophy is? What do philosophers talk about? Can they tell you the meaning of life or is it just jargon and navel gazing? Come along and find out.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Philosophy Reading Group: Aristotle's poeticsCourse start date: Tue 6 May 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anita KasabovaIn the Poetics, Aristotle outlines his theory of poetry and drama. His views on Greek tragedy have marked literary studies to date. We discuss the main themes of the Poetics and consider its relevance today.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £45.00 - Philosophy of medicineCourse start date: Tue 6 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Annamaria CarusiWe have all had contact with medicine in one way or another: through being ill ourselves, or through taking care of somebody else who is ill. Medicine is not only about the science and evidence for medical practices. It is also political, social, cultural and personal. This course is about the kind of knowledge and value system that makes up medicine in its current form, and explores how it has evolved, what its main features are, what its strong and weak points are, and, potentially, how it is changing.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £95.00 Concession £77.00 - Ubuntu, communitarianism and personhood: key concepts in African philosophyCourse start date: Wed 7 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ovett NwosimiriThis course is an introduction to the key concepts in African philosophy. We will analyse the various positions and contestations regarding the nature, and trends in African philosophy, debate on communitarianism and personhood, and ubuntu.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Philosophy and cultural theoryCourse start date: Fri 9 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Barrie SelwynMerleau Ponty’s concept of embodied subjectivity continues to shape our views in cultural theory and theories of knowledge in general. We will explore his ideas and their applications as well as the general context from which they emerge. - Philosophy and the meaning of lifeCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Karl WhiteSome philosophers have insisted that philosophy should explain the meaning of our existence. What does it mean for us to be? And how then should we live? This course examines some seriously philosophical answers.
- Japanese philosophyCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John GoffJapanese philosophy extends well beyond Zen, with several philosophical traditions including that of the modern Kyoto School. Developing distinct cultural, aesthetic and political concepts, Japanese philosophers offer a rich field of thought. - The death of GodCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John HolroydOver the past five hundred years in the West belief in God has declined. This course will examine why this has happened and consider the meaning and significance of what has taken place.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - German Idealism from Kant to Hegel: the beginnings of continental philosophy Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christopher HornerGerman philosophers created the most ambitious and imaginative systems of thought of modern times against the backdrop of revolution and war. This creative and speculative beginning to modern continental philosophy is an exciting intellectual adventure. - Heaven and hell in world religionsCourse start date: Tue 13 May 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingCompare and contrast the afterlife beliefs of the five major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Explore how these ideas developed and influenced each other.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £129.00 - Philosophy and the selfCourse start date: Tue 13 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ariel KernbergWho am I? Is there such a thing as “my true self”? These and related questions will be looked at from various philosophical perspectives.
NB There will be no class on 26/05/26.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £168.00 - Philosophy and near-death experience: what can we know?Course start date: Sat 17 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edgar Ter-DanielyanThis course will present the phenomenon of Near Death Experiences (NDEs) from the philosophical perspective and will discuss what, if anything, we can learn from them.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
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