Online Philosophy, Religion and Belief Courses
Explore the big questions and belief systems that shape human thought with City Lit’s online philosophy, religion and belief courses. From ancient philosophy and world religions to ethics, metaphysics and contemporary debates, our expert-led courses offer the chance to examine key ideas and traditions — all from the comfort of your own home.
Study the works of influential thinkers, explore religious beliefs and practices from around the world, and engage critically with topics such as morality, existence, faith and reason. With live interactive sessions, group discussion and supportive tutor feedback, these flexible online courses create a welcoming space for thoughtful exploration and shared enquiry.
open to adults of all ages, whether you're new to the subject or looking to deepen your knowledge, our courses encourage curiosity, conversation and critical thinking.
Explore our online philosophy, religion and belief courses today and join a community of learners asking meaningful questions about the world and our place in it.
23 courses available
A taste of philosophyHave 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 £15.00 Concession £12.00- The many faces of timeDo we perceive time or the passage of events? Einstein famously considered time - or the distinction between past, present, and future - as an illusion. We examine subjective time or how we experience time, discussing the roles of memory, emotion, and narrative.
Online
Mon 14 Sep 2026Anita KasabovaFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Chinese Philosophy: the nature of nature
“Heaven and earth are produced from Nature. The myriad things are produced from Heaven and Earth. Nature has nothing outside it; thus it is the name of heaven and earth together.” (Ruan Ji)
Online
Sat 19 Sep 2026John GoffFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - History of Ideas: the language of politeness
This short course introduces you to the fascinating world of politeness studies. You’ll explore how we manage politeness in everyday conversation and how different cultures express it linguistically. You’ll learn about research and theories on politeness from pragmatics and linguistics, considering how these have developed over time.
Using real-life examples and interactive activities, you’ll learn how politeness works -and why it matters.
Online
Tue 27 Oct 2026Jack Pulman-SlaterFull fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £38.00 - Philosophy reading group: Kierkegaard's fear and TremblingFear and Trembling is a moving, challenging and influential work of philosophy: short but powerful. This course will offer an introduction to the work of Kierkegaard, explanation of some of the book’s knottier passages and group discussion.
Online
Wed 28 Oct 2026Karl WhiteFull fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £58.00 - The pre-socratic philosophers: philosophy in the beginningThe beginnings of philosophy and science are found in the thinking of early Greek, ‘Presocratic’, philosophers. Who were they? Why is their thinking still relevant?
Online
Thu 29 Oct 2026John GoffFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - The Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi: His message and relevance to the modern world
Mahatma Gandhi’s messages are profound and based both on his lived experience and intellectual power. His views on truth seeking and non-violent action have inspired many, particularly in the civil rights movements. Join this online course to find out more about his philosophy and consider its continued relevance in the 21st century.
Online
Mon 16 Nov 2026Ketan VariaFull fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £58.00 - History of ideas: the invention of ChristmasBeginning around the middle of the 19th century, a ‘new Christmas’ came into the fore; a reinvented Christmas, if you will. Why did this Christmas shift as it did - to produce the modern celebration many people still enjoy today? In this course, the stories of those groups and individuals who impacted this ‘reinvention of Christmas’ will be shared.
Online
Sat 12 Dec 2026Angela PlattFull fee £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - Chinese philosophy: ethics and politics
“Why should the king ask about profit? There is only benevolence and respect worth talking about. … Benevolence is the secure dwelling of human beings. Respect is the correct road …” (Mengzi)
Online
Sat 16 Jan 2027John GoffFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Philosophy and colonialism
This course aims to clarify the philosophical concepts that have emerged in relation to colonialism, postcolonialism and decolonisation, while also interrogating philosophy’s entanglement with empire.
Online
Mon 18 Jan 2027Jessica FeelyFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £123.00 - Philosophy reading group: Adorno's Minima Moralia
This reading group explores Theodor W. Adorno’s 1951 text Minima Moralia, written during his exile from Nazi Germany in the 1940s. As a collection of aphorisms, the text examines how capitalist society shapes everyday life, subjectivity and culture.
Online
Tue 19 Jan 2027Jessica FeelyFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 Concession £123.00 - History of ideas: philosophy and the concept of globalisation
This course examines the philosophical history of the concept of the global and globalisation and the ways thinkers have attempted to conceptualise the world as an interconnected social, political, economic, and historical totality.
Online
Thu 21 Jan 2027Jessica FeelyFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 Concession £123.00 - Greek philosophy: PlatoPlato’s philosophy is the foundation of Western thought. It remains essential to a philosophical understanding the human condition.
Online
Thu 21 Jan 2027John GoffFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Muslims in contemporary times: migration, extremism, identity and culture
For many, Muslims remain an enigma. They seem to live in a bygone age, with beliefs that contradict modern ways of living. In a way, every individual, every culture and every religion is an enigma, not only to outsiders but also to insiders. Often, Muslims are seen as an enigma because of ignorance, exploited by the mass media. Through history, sociology and the arts, this session will aim to help participants unravel the ‘enigma’ through the recognition of diversity, aspirations, joys, concerns and questions in Muslim contexts.
Online
Sat 30 Jan 2027Farid PanjwaniFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - History of Ideas in Maths and EngineeringJoin 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.
Online
Tue 2 Feb 2027Ketan VariaFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £123.00
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