Philosophy - An Introduction (Hillcroft Campus, Surbiton)
Join us at The School of Ideas at Hillcroft in Surbiton to learn about some of the central problems of philosophy, and how to puzzle them for yourself.
The course will explore some of the most important ideas, themes, and thinkers in the history of Western Philosophy and provide an introduction to a range of key issues and debates.
We will be looking at issues in Epistemology (the theory of knowledge). Metaphysics (questions concerning the ultimate nature of reality), Ethics and Politics.
The classes will be discussion-based, allowing participants to explore, debate, and (inevitably) disagree. Please note that in a philosophy class, disagreement is not only acceptable, but is actively encouraged. Be prepared to have your preconceptions challenged.
Ethics - arguments and controversies
Since the ancient Greeks philosophers have asked how we can know whether or not we are living
an ethical life. In this course we will look a selection of these philosophers to help us consider
important questions concerning ethics. Are there any objective standards of what is morally right
and wrong? Or are all such judgements always relative to a certain time and place or from person
to person? What might the implications of this be? Can we turn to philosophers when trying to
resolve ethical dilemmas in real life?