Philosophy: An Introduction to Western Philosophy - adult education class

Course overview

What does it mean to think well about the world—and about our place within it? On this engaging and wide-ranging course, Dr Matthew Rowe guides you through the ideas, lives, and historical contexts of some of the most influential philosophers in Western thought.

Spanning over two and a half millennia, from the sixth century BC to the present day, the course traces how philosophy has continually redefined itself in response to changing social, political, and scientific worlds. Along the way, you will encounter key figures including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Nietzsche, and de Beauvoir, exploring both their ideas and the circumstances that shaped them.

Through themes such as ethics, metaphysics, knowledge, politics, aesthetics, religion and the philosophy of mind, you will examine how philosophical thinking has addressed enduring human questions, while also engaging with urgent contemporary issues, from the challenges of the Anthropocene to the implications of post-humanism.

Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to connect these ideas to your own experience, discovering how philosophy remains not only historically important, but immediately relevant to how we understand ourselves and the world today.

No previous experience of philosophy is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to think!

Term dates

•  Autumn/Michaelmas Term: week beginning 12 October 2026 until week ending 11 December 2026

•  Spring/Lent Term: week beginning 4 January 2027 until week ending 19 March 2027

Class recordings

These classes are not recorded.

Imperial certificates

This course has no exams or assessments, so you can focus on enjoying your learning. Regular attendance may also lead to the award of an Imperial attendance certificate. (T&Cs apply).