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Intuitively, there is me, the self who owns this body and the eyes that read this sentence. It seems it was me, independent of anyone else, who has had all the thoughts, pains, and joys I remember having and who is responsible for the actions my hands have carried out. Philosophical analysis threatens to undermine this comfortable picture. The course explores the problems it faces and some of the attempted solutions, providing insight into the way philosophy is done in general.
What will we cover?
• Am I the same person I was in my childhood, and will I be the same person in old age? • What, if anything, makes me who I am, the subject of my thoughts and the agent of my actions? • What is the difference between me kicking someone and my leg moving the same way involuntarily? • Intuitively, I am the agent of my actions, the one responsible for what I freely choose to do. But how does this square with neuro-science and an evolutionary account of human nature? • Can I think independent of language, hence of other speakers? • Does language and society play a role in making me who I am? • Maybe I am nothing more than the roles I play? • What accounts for my and others’ ability to cooperate and create social institutions?
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• appreciate some of the difficulties in accounting for selfhood, agency, action, and cooperation. • identify some common philosophical approaches to accounting for them. • understand the difference between philosophical and scientific questions and gain insight into philosophical methodology.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course does not presuppose any philosophical knowledge, but it is not easy. You must be prepared to engage with abstract ideas, be committed to norms of intellectual rigour, and spend time and effort on the reading assignments. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are also important.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taken through the topics aided by power-point presentations, discussions, small group work, and short video screenings. The material presented will be made available for revision. Students can ask for feedback about progress from the tutor at any time.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All reading materials will be provided by the tutor or made available online free of charge.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might be interested in HP012 Introduction to moral philosophy, taught by the same tutor.
Please see City Lit's website for full details of upcoming philosophy courses.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
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-the-self295543Philosophy and the selfhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/philosophy-reading-HP129-1024.jpg299299GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy22851177140415791228511771404<p>This course is an exploration of personal identity and agency and their relation to language and society. </p>143086473Philosophy and the self299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/philosophy-reading-HP129-1024.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2027-04-20T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHP162299299Philosophy and the self239194299Ariel Kernbergphilosophy-and-the-self/hp162-2627<p>This course is an exploration of personal identity and agency and their relation to language and society. </p>0000-Available|2027-04-20 00:00:00<p>Intuitively, there is me, the self who owns this body and the eyes that read this sentence. It seems it was me, independent of anyone else, who has had all the thoughts, pains, and joys I remember having and who is responsible for the actions my hands have carried out. Philosophical analysis threatens to undermine this comfortable picture. The course explores the problems it faces and some of the attempted solutions, providing insight into the way philosophy is done in general. </p><p>This course is an exploration of personal identity and agency and their relation to language and society. </p><p>• Am I the same person I was in my childhood, and will I be the same person in old age? <br>• What, if anything, makes me who I am, the subject of my thoughts and the agent of my actions? <br>• What is the difference between me kicking someone and my leg moving the same way involuntarily? <br>• Intuitively, I am the agent of my actions, the one responsible for what I freely choose to do. But how does this square with neuro-science and an evolutionary account of human nature? <br>• Can I think independent of language, hence of other speakers? <br>• Does language and society play a role in making me who I am? <br>• Maybe I am nothing more than the roles I play? <br>• What accounts for my and others’ ability to cooperate and create social institutions? <br> </p><p>• appreciate some of the difficulties in accounting for selfhood, agency, action, and cooperation. <br>• identify some common philosophical approaches to accounting for them.<br>• understand the difference between philosophical and scientific questions and gain insight into philosophical methodology. <br> </p><p>The course does not presuppose any philosophical knowledge, but it is not easy. You must be prepared to engage with abstract ideas, be committed to norms of intellectual rigour, and spend time and effort on the reading assignments. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are also important.</p><p>You will be taken through the topics aided by power-point presentations, discussions, small group work, and short video screenings. The material presented will be made available for revision. Students can ask for feedback about progress from the tutor at any time. </p><p>All reading materials will be provided by the tutor or made available online free of charge.</p><p>You might be interested in HP012 Introduction to moral philosophy, taught by the same tutor.</p><p>Please see City Lit's website for full details of upcoming philosophy courses.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyvirtual239299194HP162NONETue20/04/27 - 29/06/2717:30 - 19:3017:3019:3011 sessions (over 11 weeks)1111 weeks or longerEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAriel KernbergBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-04-20T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2027Culture, history & humanities299299Philosophy and the selfphilosophy-and-the-self/hp162-2627<p>This course is an exploration of personal identity and agency and their relation to language and society. </p>0000-Available|2027-04-20 00:00:00<p>Intuitively, there is me, the self who owns this body and the eyes that read this sentence. It seems it was me, independent of anyone else, who has had all the thoughts, pains, and joys I remember having and who is responsible for the actions my hands have carried out. Philosophical analysis threatens to undermine this comfortable picture. The course explores the problems it faces and some of the attempted solutions, providing insight into the way philosophy is done in general. </p><p>This course is an exploration of personal identity and agency and their relation to language and society. </p><p>• Am I the same person I was in my childhood, and will I be the same person in old age? <br>• What, if anything, makes me who I am, the subject of my thoughts and the agent of my actions? <br>• What is the difference between me kicking someone and my leg moving the same way involuntarily? <br>• Intuitively, I am the agent of my actions, the one responsible for what I freely choose to do. But how does this square with neuro-science and an evolutionary account of human nature? <br>• Can I think independent of language, hence of other speakers? <br>• Does language and society play a role in making me who I am? <br>• Maybe I am nothing more than the roles I play? <br>• What accounts for my and others’ ability to cooperate and create social institutions? <br> </p><p>• appreciate some of the difficulties in accounting for selfhood, agency, action, and cooperation. <br>• identify some common philosophical approaches to accounting for them.<br>• understand the difference between philosophical and scientific questions and gain insight into philosophical methodology. <br> </p><p>The course does not presuppose any philosophical knowledge, but it is not easy. You must be prepared to engage with abstract ideas, be committed to norms of intellectual rigour, and spend time and effort on the reading assignments. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are also important.</p><p>You will be taken through the topics aided by power-point presentations, discussions, small group work, and short video screenings. The material presented will be made available for revision. Students can ask for feedback about progress from the tutor at any time. </p><p>All reading materials will be provided by the tutor or made available online free of charge.</p><p>You might be interested in HP012 Introduction to moral philosophy, taught by the same tutor.</p><p>Please see City Lit's website for full details of upcoming philosophy courses.</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
