Is it possible to be true to oneself? And, is this a worthwhile pursuit or a delusion of modernity? This course will explore these questions with the help of five modern philosophers.
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.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What does it mean to hold a belief that is my belief as opposed to one that I have, as it were, taken on ‘second-hand’? More broadly, can I live a life that is largely authentically mine, that sets me apart from the expectations and designs of others, whether parents or peers, institutions or cultural pressures? And, how important is it to be true to oneself and live a self-chosen life? How do such ambitions compare and relate to desires and aspirations to belong and be recognised by our nearest and dearest and by society more generally? Ultimately, these questions are far from abstract in the sense that they are to do with the meanings of our lives, and they have also been to do with the personal journeys of the philosophers whose thoughts we shall examine. The course will conclude by asking us to take a perspective about questions of authenticity in the digital age. Has authenticity had its day, or is it just getting started and can the digital age help us to design ourselves more to our liking or more against our collective self-interest?
What will we cover?
This course will examine the views and arguments of a number of existentialist philosophers as well as more community minded thinkers – communitarians – about the meaning and value of ‘being authentic’ and ‘being true to oneself’. We shall consider and reflect on some of the views of Søren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone Weil, Alasdair McIntyre and Charles Taylor. We shall also reflect on the role of authenticity and the challenges to it in the digital age.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Explain how a number of modern philosophers understand concepts of ‘being true to oneself’ and being ‘authentic’. • Think critically about questions of authenticity and be able to articulate why it has been, for some, a crucial goal to pursue, and for others, quite problematic and even delusional. • Articulate and explain what you believe to be the most cogent arguments to do with the issues we have been examining.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course assumes no background knowledge in this subject area. An enquiring mind, a fascination with the questions and an openness to be surprised are the best things to bring with you to class.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
I will lecture using powerpoint slides for some of the time. There will certainly be classroom discussion. We may also read some short passages of text from the philosophers we are studying. I will provide a reading list and encourage students to read and research around the lectures. However, no reading is required in order to understand the lectures and the materials we shall be considering.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bring a note pad and pen or laptop for making notes. Beyond the course fee the only possible costs are any books you may choose to buy.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please check City Lit's website for up-to-date details about forthcoming philosophy courses.
John studied philosophy and theology at King’s College, London and went on to teach philosophy and religious studies in schools for many years taking on a number of management roles before going on to lecture in further education. In 2019 his book Judging Religion A Dialogue for Our Time was published by Silverwood Books. He has had several articles about religion and philosophy published. Most recently his article Wondering in Uzbekistan was published in a journal for RE teachers, REToday. It reflects John’s keen interests in travel and inter-cultural dialogue. John’s subject interests include; philosophy of mind, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, multiculturalism, secularisation and the ethical character of religions, most especially Islam and Christianity. John believes in the classroom as a place where our lives can be made richer through our struggles and passions to understand difficult subjects that engage with questions about who we are, who we have been and who we might become.
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/the-search-for-authenticity2999027The search for authenticityhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/philosophy-reading-HP129-1024.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy22851177140415791228511771404<p>Is it possible to be true to oneself? And, is this a worthwhile pursuit or a delusion of modernity? This course will explore these questions with the help of five modern philosophers.</p><p>NB: No class on 21/05/26</p>002999021The search for authenticity219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/philosophy-reading-HP129-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-23T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHP289219219The search for authenticity175142219John Holroydthe-search-for-authenticity/hp289-2526<p>Is it possible to be true to oneself? And, is this a worthwhile pursuit or a delusion of modernity? This course will explore these questions with the help of five modern philosophers.</p><p>NB: No class on 21/05/26</p>0000-Available|2026-04-23 00:00:00What does it mean to hold a belief that is my belief as opposed to one that I have, as it were, taken on ‘second-hand’? More broadly, can I live a life that is largely authentically mine, that sets me apart from the expectations and designs of others, whether parents or peers, institutions or cultural pressures? And, how important is it to be true to oneself and live a self-chosen life? How do such ambitions compare and relate to desires and aspirations to belong and be recognised by our nearest and dearest and by society more generally? Ultimately, these questions are far from abstract in the sense that they are to do with the meanings of our lives, and they have also been to do with the personal journeys of the philosophers whose thoughts we shall examine. The course will conclude by asking us to take a perspective about questions of authenticity in the digital age. Has authenticity had its day, or is it just getting started and can the digital age help us to design ourselves more to our liking or more against our collective self-interest?<p>Is it possible to be true to oneself? And, is this a worthwhile pursuit or a delusion of modernity? This course will explore these questions with the help of five modern philosophers.</p><p>NB: No class on 21/05/26</p>This course will examine the views and arguments of a number of existentialist philosophers as well as more community minded thinkers – communitarians – about the meaning and value of ‘being authentic’ and ‘being true to oneself’. We shall consider and reflect on some of the views of Søren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone Weil, Alasdair McIntyre and Charles Taylor. We shall also reflect on the role of authenticity and the challenges to it in the digital age.<br/>• Explain how a number of modern philosophers understand concepts of ‘being true to oneself’ and being ‘authentic’. <br/>• Think critically about questions of authenticity and be able to articulate why it has been, for some, a crucial goal to pursue, and for others, quite problematic and even delusional.<br/>• Articulate and explain what you believe to be the most cogent arguments to do with the issues we have been examining.This course assumes no background knowledge in this subject area. An enquiring mind, a fascination with the questions and an openness to be surprised are the best things to bring with you to class.I will lecture using powerpoint slides for some of the time. There will certainly be classroom discussion. We may also read some short passages of text from the philosophers we are studying. I will provide a reading list and encourage students to read and research around the lectures. However, no reading is required in order to understand the lectures and the materials we shall be considering.Bring a note pad and pen or laptop for making notes. Beyond the course fee the only possible costs are any books you may choose to buy.<p>Please check City Lit's website for up-to-date details about forthcoming philosophy courses.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyvirtual175219142HP289NONEThu23/04/26 - 18/06/2612:45 - 14:4512:4514:458 sessions (over 9 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJohn HolroydBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-23T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities219219The search for authenticitythe-search-for-authenticity/hp289-2526<p>Is it possible to be true to oneself? And, is this a worthwhile pursuit or a delusion of modernity? This course will explore these questions with the help of five modern philosophers.</p><p>NB: No class on 21/05/26</p>0000-Available|2026-04-23 00:00:00What does it mean to hold a belief that is my belief as opposed to one that I have, as it were, taken on ‘second-hand’? More broadly, can I live a life that is largely authentically mine, that sets me apart from the expectations and designs of others, whether parents or peers, institutions or cultural pressures? And, how important is it to be true to oneself and live a self-chosen life? How do such ambitions compare and relate to desires and aspirations to belong and be recognised by our nearest and dearest and by society more generally? Ultimately, these questions are far from abstract in the sense that they are to do with the meanings of our lives, and they have also been to do with the personal journeys of the philosophers whose thoughts we shall examine. The course will conclude by asking us to take a perspective about questions of authenticity in the digital age. Has authenticity had its day, or is it just getting started and can the digital age help us to design ourselves more to our liking or more against our collective self-interest?<p>Is it possible to be true to oneself? And, is this a worthwhile pursuit or a delusion of modernity? This course will explore these questions with the help of five modern philosophers.</p><p>NB: No class on 21/05/26</p>This course will examine the views and arguments of a number of existentialist philosophers as well as more community minded thinkers – communitarians – about the meaning and value of ‘being authentic’ and ‘being true to oneself’. We shall consider and reflect on some of the views of Søren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone Weil, Alasdair McIntyre and Charles Taylor. We shall also reflect on the role of authenticity and the challenges to it in the digital age.<br/>• Explain how a number of modern philosophers understand concepts of ‘being true to oneself’ and being ‘authentic’. <br/>• Think critically about questions of authenticity and be able to articulate why it has been, for some, a crucial goal to pursue, and for others, quite problematic and even delusional.<br/>• Articulate and explain what you believe to be the most cogent arguments to do with the issues we have been examining.This course assumes no background knowledge in this subject area. An enquiring mind, a fascination with the questions and an openness to be surprised are the best things to bring with you to class.I will lecture using powerpoint slides for some of the time. There will certainly be classroom discussion. We may also read some short passages of text from the philosophers we are studying. I will provide a reading list and encourage students to read and research around the lectures. However, no reading is required in order to understand the lectures and the materials we shall be considering.Bring a note pad and pen or laptop for making notes. Beyond the course fee the only possible costs are any books you may choose to buy.<p>Please check City Lit's website for up-to-date details about forthcoming 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
