What is memory? How does memory impact our sense of self and time? Why does memory often go wrong? If our memory is unreliable, can it provide knowledge of our personal past? How is memory registered in the body? What is collective memory? This course explores memory through philosophical and psychological lenses.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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We will begin by looking into Classical Greek theories of memory. These set the stage for philosophical debates on memory as a source of knowledge and the relation between memory and the self. Philosophical theories will be discussed alongside views from psychology as the locus of memory transitions from the soul to the mind and the brain. You will gain an understanding of autobiographical memory: how we own our memories and how remembering deconstructs our self. We also discuss memory loss and faulty memories and look into trauma or wounded memory. We examine how painful memories are registered in the body as trauma, hiding from conscious awareness and consider how collective memories can affect later generations. We also discuss memory in remembrance cultures: how to deal with a shared memory when we are on opposite sides?
What will we cover?
This 8-week course is divided into 3 parts: 1) memory in the history of philosophy (2 sessions): how Classical Greek philosophers conceive memory: why is it located in the soul? How is memory related to learning and knowing? We follow memory’s transition from the soul to the mind and the self through Locke’s investigations: how is personal identity connected to memory? How are consciousness and memory related? 2) how memory relates to our self, our emotions, and our body (4 sessions): What happens to our sense of self when we forget? Are our memories reliable? How do memory distortions impact the ‘me’, and how are false memories induced? We explore autobiographical memory and the autobiographical self, based on insights from memoirs and narratological analysis. How does our sense of time interact with memory and how does amnesia interfere with our experience of time? We then look into memory as a connection between the psyche and the body. How do emotions and trauma format our memories? We discuss different approaches for healing wounded memories. 3) collective memory (2 sessions): How is trauma passed down the generations? What are the roles of memorials and testimony? We discuss recent research on epigenetic memory and examine the twofold nature of collective memory: shared remembering of fateful events and a reconstructive process intended to bridge the gap between an event and its recollection. We also look at memory in remembrance cultures: who decides and controls what is remembered and what is forgotten in specific places?
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• identify the main debates on memory in the history of ideas, philosophy and psychology while contributing your own opinion to the discussion. • identify different features of memory and how they interweave various disciplines, from philosophy to psychology and sociology. • further develop your own views about memory.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
A basic knowledge of philosophical principles is an advantage, although newcomers to philosophy are most welcome. The tutor will use a flexible approach to meet students’ needs. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course is lecture-based, using power-point and whiteboard, but sufficient time will be made for questions and discussion, which are an important part of the learning process. Short extracts from relevant philosophical texts will be provided for comments and class discussion. Students will also be offered optional informal assessment. The tutor will provide feedback about progress on request. The power-points and selected materials will be available for personal study. Students are encouraged to look at the power-points in their own time and bring questions to the class. Additional reading is optional.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bring a sense of curiosity about memory and your questions.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may be interested in Anita's short courses, HP247 History of ideas: shame through the ages on 9/3/26 and HP246 History of ideas: Transformation and rebirth in mythology and psychology on 23/3/26.
Anita teaches and writes about philosophical topics. She has taught undergraduate and graduate students at university for many years, as well as adult learners. She uses a cross-disciplinary approach in her teaching and encourages students to examine intersections between philosophy, psychology, and other humanities subjects. She is the author of a book On Autobiographical Memory (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2009), and numerous articles on topics in the history of philosophy, various aspects of memory and the role of shame in social media. She also published two poetry collections. She studied at Geneva University, has an MA in English literature, a PhD in Philosophy, and a Bulgarian national scientific habilitation in Philosophy.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/philosophy-and-memory2489275Philosophy and memoryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1765367640/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy22851177140415791228511771404What is memory? How does memory impact our sense of self and time? Why does memory often go wrong? If our memory is unreliable, can it provide knowledge of our personal past? How is memory registered in the body? What is collective memory? This course explores memory through philosophical and psychological lenses.002629521Philosophy and memory179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/no_selectionInStockDaytimeMonOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-05T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHP154179179Philosophy and memory143116179Anita Kasabovaphilosophy-and-memory/hp154-2526What is memory? How does memory impact our sense of self and time? Why does memory often go wrong? If our memory is unreliable, can it provide knowledge of our personal past? How is memory registered in the body? What is collective memory? This course explores memory through philosophical and psychological lenses.0000-Available|2026-01-05 00:00:00We will begin by looking into Classical Greek theories of memory. These set the stage for philosophical debates on memory as a source of knowledge and the relation between memory and the self. Philosophical theories will be discussed alongside views from psychology as the locus of memory transitions from the soul to the mind and the brain. You will gain an understanding of autobiographical memory: how we own our memories and how remembering deconstructs our self. We also discuss memory loss and faulty memories and look into trauma or wounded memory. We examine how painful memories are registered in the body as trauma, hiding from conscious awareness and consider how collective memories can affect later generations. We also discuss memory in remembrance cultures: how to deal with a shared memory when we are on opposite sides?What is memory? How does memory impact our sense of self and time? Why does memory often go wrong? If our memory is unreliable, can it provide knowledge of our personal past? How is memory registered in the body? What is collective memory? This course explores memory through philosophical and psychological lenses.This 8-week course is divided into 3 parts: <br/>1) memory in the history of philosophy (2 sessions): how Classical Greek philosophers conceive memory: why is it located in the soul? How is memory related to learning and knowing? We follow memory’s transition from the soul to the mind and the self through Locke’s investigations: how is personal identity connected to memory? How are consciousness and memory related?<br/>2) how memory relates to our self, our emotions, and our body (4 sessions): What happens to our sense of self when we forget? Are our memories reliable? How do memory distortions impact the ‘me’, and how are false memories induced? We explore autobiographical memory and the autobiographical self, based on insights from memoirs and narratological analysis. How does our sense of time interact with memory and how does amnesia interfere with our experience of time? We then look into memory as a connection between the psyche and the body. How do emotions and trauma format our memories? We discuss different approaches for healing wounded memories. <br/>3) collective memory (2 sessions): <br/>How is trauma passed down the generations? What are the roles of memorials and testimony? We discuss recent research on epigenetic memory and examine the twofold nature of collective memory: shared remembering of fateful events and a reconstructive process intended to bridge the gap between an event and its recollection. We also look at memory in remembrance cultures: who decides and controls what is remembered and what is forgotten in specific places?• identify the main debates on memory in the history of ideas, philosophy and psychology while contributing your own opinion to the discussion.<br/>• identify different features of memory and how they interweave various disciplines, from philosophy to psychology and sociology. <br/>• further develop your own views about memory.A basic knowledge of philosophical principles is an advantage, although newcomers to philosophy are most welcome. The tutor will use a flexible approach to meet students’ needs. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.<p>The course is lecture-based, using power-point and whiteboard, but sufficient time will be made for questions and discussion, which are an important part of the learning process. Short extracts from relevant philosophical texts will be provided for comments and class discussion. Students will also be offered optional informal assessment. The tutor will provide feedback about progress on request. The power-points and selected materials will be available for personal study. Students are encouraged to look at the power-points in their own time and bring questions to the class. Additional reading is optional.<br/> </p>Bring a sense of curiosity about memory and your questions.<p>You may be interested in Anita's short courses, HP247 History of ideas: shame through the ages on 9/3/26 and HP246 History of ideas: Transformation and rebirth in mythology and psychology on 23/3/26.<br/><br/>.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyvirtual143179116HP154NONEMon05/01/26 - 23/02/2612:00 - 13:3012:0013:308 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineAnita KasabovaBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-01-05T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Culture, history & humanities179179Philosophy and memoryphilosophy-and-memory/hp154-2526What is memory? How does memory impact our sense of self and time? Why does memory often go wrong? If our memory is unreliable, can it provide knowledge of our personal past? How is memory registered in the body? What is collective memory? This course explores memory through philosophical and psychological lenses.0000-Available|2026-01-05 00:00:00We will begin by looking into Classical Greek theories of memory. These set the stage for philosophical debates on memory as a source of knowledge and the relation between memory and the self. Philosophical theories will be discussed alongside views from psychology as the locus of memory transitions from the soul to the mind and the brain. You will gain an understanding of autobiographical memory: how we own our memories and how remembering deconstructs our self. We also discuss memory loss and faulty memories and look into trauma or wounded memory. We examine how painful memories are registered in the body as trauma, hiding from conscious awareness and consider how collective memories can affect later generations. We also discuss memory in remembrance cultures: how to deal with a shared memory when we are on opposite sides?What is memory? How does memory impact our sense of self and time? Why does memory often go wrong? If our memory is unreliable, can it provide knowledge of our personal past? How is memory registered in the body? What is collective memory? This course explores memory through philosophical and psychological lenses.This 8-week course is divided into 3 parts: <br/>1) memory in the history of philosophy (2 sessions): how Classical Greek philosophers conceive memory: why is it located in the soul? How is memory related to learning and knowing? We follow memory’s transition from the soul to the mind and the self through Locke’s investigations: how is personal identity connected to memory? How are consciousness and memory related?<br/>2) how memory relates to our self, our emotions, and our body (4 sessions): What happens to our sense of self when we forget? Are our memories reliable? How do memory distortions impact the ‘me’, and how are false memories induced? We explore autobiographical memory and the autobiographical self, based on insights from memoirs and narratological analysis. How does our sense of time interact with memory and how does amnesia interfere with our experience of time? We then look into memory as a connection between the psyche and the body. How do emotions and trauma format our memories? We discuss different approaches for healing wounded memories. <br/>3) collective memory (2 sessions): <br/>How is trauma passed down the generations? What are the roles of memorials and testimony? We discuss recent research on epigenetic memory and examine the twofold nature of collective memory: shared remembering of fateful events and a reconstructive process intended to bridge the gap between an event and its recollection. We also look at memory in remembrance cultures: who decides and controls what is remembered and what is forgotten in specific places?• identify the main debates on memory in the history of ideas, philosophy and psychology while contributing your own opinion to the discussion.<br/>• identify different features of memory and how they interweave various disciplines, from philosophy to psychology and sociology. <br/>• further develop your own views about memory.A basic knowledge of philosophical principles is an advantage, although newcomers to philosophy are most welcome. The tutor will use a flexible approach to meet students’ needs. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.<p>The course is lecture-based, using power-point and whiteboard, but sufficient time will be made for questions and discussion, which are an important part of the learning process. Short extracts from relevant philosophical texts will be provided for comments and class discussion. Students will also be offered optional informal assessment. The tutor will provide feedback about progress on request. The power-points and selected materials will be available for personal study. Students are encouraged to look at the power-points in their own time and bring questions to the class. Additional reading is optional.<br/> </p>Bring a sense of curiosity about memory and your questions.<p>You may be interested in Anita's short courses, HP247 History of ideas: shame through the ages on 9/3/26 and HP246 History of ideas: Transformation and rebirth in mythology and psychology on 23/3/26.<br/><br/>.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyconfigurable
15791404Philosophyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/philosophy-religion-belief/philosophy1/2/285/1177/1404/15791/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy
