Philosophy & Literature
Day Courses
The Golden Century of German Philosophy
Wednesday 14th June 2023. 10am until 3pm
[Guildford, Surrey]
A flowering in philosophy occurred between the 1790s and the 1880s in the German-speaking world, equal in the apex of thought to that of the ancient Greeks. This began with Kant, augmented by Schopenhauer, before Nietzsche assailed the whole of existing morality. This day course will explore the wealth of ideas produced by these philosophers.
Philosophy: But is it Art?
Friday 16th June 2023. 10am until 3pm
[Guildford, Surrey]
What is art? What is the difference between Tracey Emin’s My Bed and Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus? Have we reached a stage where almost anything can be called art? This course will explore some of the theories used to help us define art, including idealist theory, significant form and the institutional theory.
What is it Art? Philosophical Perspectives
Saturday 17th June 2023. 10.30am until 3.30pm
[Highgate, London]
What is art? What is the difference between Tracey Emin’s My Bed and Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus? Have we reached a stage where almost anything can be called art? This course will explore some of the theories used to help us define art, including idealist theory, significant form and the institutional theory.
An Introduction to Indian Philosophy: Jainism
Friday 23rd June 2023. 1pm until 3pm.
[Corbridge, Northumberland]
Much of the world’s philosophy has historically been ignored by the West. Yet, if philosophy is the love of wisdom, there is no doubt that the philosophy of other cultures can enrich us further still. This half-day course will explore Jainism and its metaphysical and ethical similarities and differences to other Indian religio-philosophical systems.
An Introduction to Indian Philosophy: Jainism
Saturday 24th June 2023. 10am until 12noon.
[Carlisle, Cumbria]
Much of the world’s philosophy has historically been ignored by the West. Yet, if philosophy is the love of wisdom, there is no doubt that the philosophy of other cultures can enrich us further still. This half-day course will explore Jainism and its metaphysical and ethical similarities and differences to other Indian religio-philosophical systems.
What is Philosophy? [talk]
Thursday 29th June
2023.
10am until 11am.
[Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne]
What is philosophy? Is it a search for wisdom, truth or knowledge? Is it simply just an esoteric academic discipline, or can it really tell us something about the meaning of life? In this talk we will briefly explore the beautiful possibilities of philosophy.
A Brief Introduction to Indian Philosophy
Thursday 6th July 2023. 10am until 12noon.
[Penzance, Cornwall]
Much of the world’s philosophy has historically been ignored by the West. Yet, if philosophy is the love of wisdom, there is no doubt that the philosophy of other cultures can enrich us further still. This half-day course will explore two key texts of Ancient Indian philosophy, the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, and then consider their value to modern Western society.
A Philosopher's Guide to Happiness
Thursday 6th July 2023. 1pm until 3pm.
[Penzance, Cornwall]
What is happiness? Is it nothing more than feeling good, which underpins the philosophy of utilitarianism? Is it merely the temporary cessation of suffering? Or is it to fully flourish; to live the best life we can live? In this talk we will explore these questions in the esteemed company of J. S. Mill, Arthur Schopenhauer and the Buddha, as well as Aristotle.