Online Courses in Philosophy
The questions of philosophy are the oldest (and possibly the hardest) there are. Philosophers ask questions like ‘What is right and wrong?’, ‘Does God exist?’ ‘What is truth?’ and ‘Is the external world real?’. The only way such questions can be answered is by using reason.
Our online courses will help you learn how it is possible, by reason alone, to come to a better understanding of such taxing questions. By means of guided reading, tutor-aided discussion with fellow students and activities that will stretch your mind and clarify your thinking, you will acquire skills of reasoning that you will be able to apply to any subject at all. And it’s fun!
Ethics: an introduction
In this introduction to ethics, we shall examine four important ethical theories, applying them to two practical questions: the rights of animals and euthanasia. There will be plenty of opportunity to engage in debate and test your own thinking. Find out more about this course
Introduction to Philosophy
If there was a machine that destroyed all your atoms in Alpha Centurai, and reassembled an identical set here on Earth, would it be transporting you to Earth, or replacing you with a duplicate? Find out more about this course
Philosophy of Mind
The philosophy of mind is one of the most exciting areas within philosophy. It is concerned with questions about the nature of mind and the relation between our minds and the physical world. This course provides an introduction to philosophy of mind by introducing you to the mind-body problem, one of the most intractable problems in philosophy. Find out more about this course
Philosophy of Religion
God, it is said, is omnipotent, omniscient, and omni-benevolent. But an omni-benevolent God would want to do away with evil if he knew about it, an omniscient God does know about it, and an omnipotent one could do something about it. So if there is such a God why does evil exist? Find out more about this course
Philosophy of Science
From washing machines and electric toothbrushes to moon rockets and large hadron colliders, science makes our live easier and tells us about our world. But how does science itself work? Find out more about this course
Political Philosophy
If a group of people were stripped of their knowledge of their own particular place in society and characteristics (such as their level of wealth and intelligence), and asked to choose the principles of justice for society, what do you think they would come up with? Why would it be a good thing to ask them to choose these principles from behind such a ‘veil of ignorance’? Find out more about this course
Reality, Being and Existence: an introduction to Metaphysics
Is time real? Or does it exist only because change exists? Could time or causation go backwards? What does the relation of causation relate? Is everything caused? If so how can we have the freedom to make choices about our actions? Find out more about this course
Theory of Knowledge
Imagine Jones owns a Lamborghini. Further imagine that I believe Jones owns a Lamborghini because I saw him driving one around one day. But now imagine that the Lamborghini I saw Jones driving was not the one he owns, so that the reasons justifying me in believing what I believe, are not those making my belief true. Do I know Jones owns a Lamborghini or not? Find out more about this course