Philosophy: An Introduction to Western Philosophy
At a Glance
- Classroom course (South Kensington)
- 10 weeks | January - March
- Thursdays 18:00 - 20:00
- Fees from £135
- Tutor: Dr Matthew Rowe
Enrolment deadline
Courses starting in January 2024
- 8 January 2024
Matthew Rowe Teaching Video
In this course Dr Matthew Rowe will introduce us to the ideas, lives and social contexts of some of the greatest Western philosophers in human history. This will take us on a journey stretching back to the sixth century BC and coming forward to the present day.
Beginning with the idea of philosophy itself, and the changes in the definition of philosophy over the centuries, the course will focus on the works of a number of key historical and more contemporary philosophers. It will examine some of the key concepts philosophers have sought to address, their relationship to the societies in which they lived, and their influence on social thought and action, as well as their impact on subsequent thinkers.
Philosophers studied might range from Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, to Kant, Nietzsche and de Beauvoir, amongst others, and students will be encouraged to consider the work of historical and contemporary philosophers in light of their own experiences, and to address the question whether philosophy is still relevant in our lives today.
The course is aimed at complete beginners, and so no previous knowledge of philosophy is necessary.
Class Recordings
These classes are not recorded
Attendance Certificate
Successful completion of this course leads to the award of an Imperial College attendance certificate
Terms and conditions apply to all enrolments to this course. Please read them before enrolment
Course Information
Course Programme
Course Programme (may be subject to some modification)
Week / Session 1: Introduction: What is Philosophy?
- Philosophy as Activity, Method and Body of Knowledge
Week / Session 2: Metaphysics
- What is Reality? What exists? How? Why? When?
Week / Session 3: Epistemology
- What is knowledge? What are its limits and how do we come to know things?
Week / Session 4: Philosophy of Mind
- What is consciousness? Is there a Mind? If so how does it relate to the body?
Week / Session 5: Politics
- The relationship between people and states; Laws, disobedience and rights
Week / Session 6: Philosophy of Religion
- Does God Exist? What is religious belief? Faith, knowledge and truth.
Week / Session 7: Morality
- How to be Good? Why Be Good? Judging by rules vs. judging by consequences
Week / Session 8: Aesthetics and Art
- What is art? What is beauty? How do we judge?
Week / Session 9: Philosophy of Science
- What is Scientific Method? Is science about truth? How is it different to non-science?
Week / Session 10: Philosophy & Culture
- What is the relationship between philosophy and the world? Is it part of its own problems? How can it be fit for the coming future?
Your Tutor
Dr Matthew Rowe is an extremely experienced and engaging teacher of philosophy, as well as being a practising philosopher in his own right.
His interests lie in aesthetics, the philosophy of art and relationship between artistic practice and art theory. He is primarily a writer, although he also engages in solo and collaborative visual art practises when appropriate.
His current writing research focusses on site speficity within artisitic production and issues surrounding morality and photography. Current writing projects include an essay on John Waters and a philosophical analysis of irony and sincerity.
As well as teaching at Imperial College London, Matthew also lectures at City and Guilds of London Art School.
Course Fees and Rate Categories
| Weeks | Standard Rate | Internal Rate | Associate Rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Early Bird: £226 Full price: £252 |
Early Bird: £135 Full price: £150 |
Early Bird: £178 Full price: £198 |
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| All fee rates quoted are for the whole course. Early Bird rates available 1 August to 30 September 2023 only. Part-payments are not possible. | |||||
Rate Categories and Discounts
Standard Rate
- Available to all except those who fall under the Internal Rate or Associate Rate category.
Internal Rate
- Current Imperial College students and staff (incl. Imperial NHS Trust, Imperial Innovations, ancillary & service staff employed on long-term contracts at Imperial College by third-party contractors)
- People enrolling under our Friends & Family scheme
- Alumni of Imperial College and predecessor colleges and institutes, including City & Guilds College Association members
- Students, staff and alumni of the Royal College of Art, Royal College of Music and City, UAL and the City and Guilds of London Art School
- Students, staff and Governors of Woodhouse College and the IC Mathematics School
Associate Rate
- Austrian Cultural Forum staff
- Co-operative College members
- Francis Crick Institute staff, researchers and students
- Friends and Patrons of the English Chamber Orchestra
- Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
- Friends of Leighton House/ Sambourne House
- Friends of the Royal College of Music
- Harrods staff
- Historic Royal Palaces staff
- Lycee Charles de Gaulle staff
- Members of the Friends of Imperial College
- Members of the Kennel Club
- Members of the London Zoological Society
- Members of the South London Botanical Institute (SLBI)
- Members of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
- National Health Service (NHS) employees
- Natural History Museum staff
- Residents of postcodes SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10 and W8
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council staff
- Royal Geographical Society staff
- Science Museum staff
- Staff of Exhibition Road Cultural Group (Discover South Kensington) organisations
- Students (non-Imperial College)
- Teachers and other staff of UK schools
- Tutors and other staff of institution members of the Association of Colleges
- Tutors and other staff of other universities and higher education institutions
- Victoria and Albert Museum staff
Late enrolment
It is possible to enrol on many of our adult education courses after the course has already started. For non-language courses this is subject entirely to agreement by the tutor. For language courses it is subject to agreement by the language coordinator conducting level assessment. If you want to join a course late do bear in mind there might be work you will need to catch up on, particularly in language courses.
Friends and Family Scheme
This course is eligible for allowing Imperial College students and staff to share their discount with their friends and family.
Term Dates 2023-24
| Weeks | Autumn term | Spring term | Summer term | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | n/a | Week commencing 15 January to week ending 23 March 2024* | n/a | ||
| *This is a 1-term course | |||||
Enrolment Process
Web enrolment starts 1 August 2023. Early bird discounts are available from 1 August to 31 December 2023
Enrolment and payment run through the Imperial College eStore. When enrolling:
- Do check on the drop down menu above called "Course Fees and Rate Categories" to see if you are eligible for a discounted rate and also do make sure you select that rate when enrolling on the eStore
- If you are a first-time eStore user you will need to create an account before enrolling. You can do this by entering an email address and password. This account can then be used for any future enrolments via the eStore.
When you have enrolled you will be sent the following email notifications:
| What is sent | When is it sent | What does it contain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Payment confirmation | Is sent straight away following submission of your online application |
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| 2. Enrolment confirmation | Is usually sent within 10 working days. Please treat your payment confirmation as confirmation that your applicant details and payment have been received |
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| 3. Programme information | Is usually sent on Friday late afternoon the week before term starts |
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Any Questions?
If you have any questions about the academic content or teaching of this course please contact the Course Tutor, Dr Matthew Rowe, m.rowe@imperial.ac.uk
If you have any questions about your enrolment or payment processes please contact the Programme Administrator, Christian Jacobi, eveningclass@imperial.ac.uk