What kind of thing is a human being? What is an object? Are there really such things as minds? What’s the point of asking such strange questions? These are the problems of ‘ontology’, the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of being.
In this short course of four weeks we will look at some of the basic problems of ontology. We will examine some of the ways philosophy responds to the question of ‘reality’ or ‘existence’ and the implications of different responses. The aim of the course is to introduce students to some interesting philosophical ideas, to practise doing philosophy through critical discussion and close reading and to stimulate some thinking.
No prior knowledge is required. There will be some reading required, although no more than an hour a week outside class and there are no formal assessments, although study questions will be provided for anyone interested. Please bring a paper and pen to class.
Tutorial support will be made available at the end of the course in order to provide further guided reading for those interested as well as space to discuss options for those who want to pursue philosophy further, either informally or in Further of Higher educations settings.
The Tutor will be Dr Matt Lee. He did his doctorate in Philosophy at Sussex University and finished in 2005, after which he taught philosophy at the University of Greenwich (London) until Summer 2013. He has been teaching classes for the Free University of Brighton since 2013.
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event.