Philosophy
Philosophy from the Pre-Socratics to the present day, via Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, and others.
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Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
In this course, Professor Anthony Price (Birkbeck College, London) explores Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. In the first module, we explore the central concept of eudaimonia, or happiness, in Aristotle's ethics, before turning in the second module to the concept of egocentricity: does Aristotle's view that we should 'act well' demand that we act well for others, or simply... Read more
Berkeley: Principles of Human Knowledge
In this course, Professor Tom Stoneham (University of York) explores the philosophy of George Berkeley, focusing in particular on his ‘Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge’ (1710) as well as his ‘Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonaus’ (1713). The course begins by considering the social, historical and intellectual context of the late 17th century,... Read more
Descartes: Discourse on the Method
In this course, Professor Tom Sorell (University of Warwick) explores one of the foundational works of Western philosophy, Descartes' Discourse on the Method. The curse begins with an outline of Descartes' life, times and major publications, before looking more closely at the philosophical context for the Discourse—most notably its relation to an unpublished treatise by... Read more
Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy
In this course, Professor Cottingham (University of Reading) explores René Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy. In the first module, we provide a brief introduction to Descartes himself and his philosophical system, as described in his Discourse on the Method. After that, we move through the Meditations themselves, focusing in turn on Descartes' method of doubt, his... Read more
Hegel: Phenomenology of Spirit
In this course, Professor Robert Stern (University of Sheffield) explores Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit. The course begins with a discussion of Hegel's life and times and the political and philosophical context in which he lived, before introducing his overall philosophical vision or system. In the fourth and fifth modules, we turn to the Phenomenology itself, giving an... Read more
Hume: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
In this course, Professor Helen Beebee (University of Manchester) explores one of the most foundational texts of modern philosophy, David Hume's An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. The course begins by exploring Hume's explanation of how we come to know what (we think) we know, before moving on in the second module to look more specifically at the justification for... Read more
Kant: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
In this course, Professor Adrian Moore (University of Oxford) explores Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals through eight key questions. In particular, we think about the fundamental difference between the three main strands of moral philosophy (consequentialism, deontology and virtue ethics), Kant's various formulations of what he calls the categorical imperative... Read more
Medieval Philosophy
In this course, Professor John Marenbon (University of Cambridge) explores Medieval Philosophy through seven key thinkers. In the first module, we explore the philosophy of Avicenna, thinking in particular about his proof of existence of God and his views on the human soul. After that, we turn to Abelard and his proposed solution to the problem of universals. In the third... Read more
Mind-Body Dualism
In this course, Dr Cressida Gaukroger (University College, London) explores the philosophical theory of mind-body dualism—the theory that mind and body are distinct kinds of substances. The course begins by considering how dualism differs from materialism and idealism, before delving deeper in the philosophical writings of René Descartes, who offered several arguments for... Read more
Nietzsche and the Death of God
In this course, Professor Ken Gemes (Birkbeck, University of London) explores the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. The course begins with the famous ‘death of God’ speech from ‘The Gay Science’, and focuses on what Nietzsche meant when he spoke about the ‘death of God’. In the second module, we turn to Nietzsche’s concept of nihilism—the denial that there are any... Read more
Nietzsche: On the Genealogy of Morality
Published in 1887, the Genealogy of Morality is the locus classicus of Nietzsche's criticism of contemporary morality and religion. The book is divided into three essays: the first deals with the origins of Christian and contemporary secular morality; the second is an essay on the moral psychology of guilt; and the third is an examination of what Nietzsche calls the ascetic... Read more
Philosophy of Religion: The Existence of God
In this course, Professor John Cottingham (University of Reading) explores some of the classic arguments for the existence of God – and their criticisms. In the first module, we think about some of the Classical antecedents to later Christian arguments for the existence of God, focusing in particular on Plato's concept of the Form of the Good and Aristotle's Prime Mover.... Read more