Thinking through philosophy: a guide
Time: 15:00 - 16:30
Location: Keeley Street
What can I really know? This is a beginner’s introduction to how philosophy tackles questions like these and many others.
- Course Code: HP123
- Dates: 02/06/25 - 07/07/25
- Time: 15:00 - 16:30
- Taught: Mon, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Christopher Horner
Course Code: HP123
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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 is the course about?
Focused around classic examples and thought experiments these sessions will offer some bite-sized opportunities to sample some of the big questions of philosophy.
What will we cover?
(1) Why should I be moral? (2) What is the mind? (3) Are my choices really free? (4) Why should I be governed? (5) what is the value of art? (6) What can I know for sure?
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Consider some of the important questions in philosophy and understand not only how some philosophers have tried to answer them, but also make some judgments of your own about those answers - and how you would respond to them. You should also be in a position to decide if you want to take any aspects or areas of philosophy further at City Lit.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course assumes no previous knowledge of philosophy and all you need is an open mind and a willingness to consider ideas from different viewpoints.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
It will be taught through a combination of tutor presentation, group work and discussion. There will be an emphasis on students discussion and evaluation of issues based on examples and thought experiments. The aim is to look at questions in a way that is lively and stimulating.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
A pen, paper and a willingness to think!
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
For full details of all philosophy courses on offer, please visit our website at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Chris teaches, studies and writes about philosophy and many other things. He has taught adult learners for many years and is committed to the view that the subject should be taught in a lively way that stimulates and empowers students, and that relates both to history, culture and society more widely. Most importantly, students should begin to see how philosophy relates to them, and that it is something they can engage in with confidence and success. He has studied at the University of Sheffield, University of East Anglia, Goldsmiths and Roehampton Universites and has a PhD, the subject of which was Hannah Arendt and Kant’s Theory of Reflective Judgment. He is the co-uthor of the Cambridge University Press Book ‘Thinking Through Philosophy’, and has published numerous articles, mainly on philosophical issues. He has a strong interest in politics, history, literature, the visual arts and music and is a keen landscape photographer.
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.
