Philosophy and the self

About this course

The course investigates what makes someone the same person over time, how thoughts and actions relate to agency, and how freedom can be understood alongside neuroscience and evolutionary explanations. It also considers whether language, social relationships and the roles people occupy help constitute the self, including their connection to cooperation and social institutions. Teaching combines presentations, whole-class discussion, small-group work and short video screenings. The course also introduces distinctions between philosophical and scientific questions and considers some approaches to philosophical methodology.

What you'll learn

• Examine problems concerning selfhood, agency, action and cooperation.
• Identify philosophical approaches to explaining personal identity and agency.
• Distinguish philosophical questions from scientific questions and recognise features of philosophical methodology.

Is this course right for you?

The course does not presuppose philosophical knowledge, so it is open to learners starting the subject. It is intended for participants prepared to engage with abstract ideas, apply intellectual rigour and complete reading assignments. Discussion also involves listening to and considering views that may differ from their own.

• Requires time and effort for reading outside class.
• Includes discussion and small-group work.
• An open-minded approach to disagreement is important.

Before you go

• Reading materials will be provided by the tutor or made available online free of charge.