Introduction to Philosophy from Coursera

This course will introduce you to some of the main areas of research in contemporary philosophy. Each module a different philosopher will talk you through some of the most important questions and issues in their area of expertise. We’ll begin by trying to understand what philosophy is – what are its characteristic aims and methods, and how does it differ from other subjects? Then we’ll spend the rest of the course gaining an introductory overview of several different areas of philosophy.

Topics you’ll learn about will include:

Epistemology, where we’ll consider what our knowledge of the world and ourselves consists in, and how we come to have it;

Philosophy of science, where we’ll investigate foundational conceptual issues in scientific research and practice;

Philosophy of Mind, where we’ll ask questions about what it means for something to have a mind, and how minds should be understood and explained;

Political Philosophy, where we'll investigate whether we have an obligation to obey the law;

Moral Philosophy, where we’ll attempt to understand the nature of our moral judgements and reactions – whether they aim at some objective moral truth, or are mere personal or cultural preferences, and;

Metaphysics, where we’ll think through some fundamental conceptual questions about free will and the nature of reality.

The development of this MOOC has been led by the University of Edinburgh's Eidyn research centre.

To accompany 'Introduction to Philosophy', we are pleased to announce a tie-in book from Routledge entitled 'Philosophy for Everyone'. This course companion to the 'Introduction to Philosophy' course was written by the Edinburgh Philosophy team expressly with the needs of MOOC students in mind. 'Philosophy for Everyone' contains clear and user-friendly chapters, chapter summaries, glossary, study questions, suggestions for further reading and guides to online resources. Please click "Start Here" and navigate to the "Optional Reading" page for more information.

What's inside

Syllabus

What is Philosophy?

(Dr. Dave Ward) We’ll start the course by thinking about what Philosophy actually is: what makes it different from other subjects? What are its distinctive aims and methods? We'll also think about why the questions that philosophers attempt to answer are often thought to be both fundamental and important, and have a look at how philosophy is actually practiced. Finally, we'll briefly touch upon two very influential philosophers' answers to the question of how we can know whether, in any given case, there really is a right way of thinking about things.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines fundamental questions in philosophy and introduces learners to key concepts and theories in major areas of the discipline

Taught by renowned philosophy professors from the University of Edinburgh

Provides a broad overview of different philosophical fields, including Epistemology, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Mind, Political Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, and Metaphysics

Accompanied by a course companion book for additional support and reinforcement

Provides a solid foundation for learners interested in pursuing further studies in philosophy

Suitable for beginners with no prior background in philosophy who are eager to explore the subject

Reviews summary

Insightful philosophy foundation

According to learners, this course offers a highly accessible and engaging introduction to key areas of philosophy. Students particularly praise the expert instructors, each presenting their area of expertise with clarity and enthusiasm in the lectures. The course is widely seen as providing a solid foundational understanding of complex philosophical concepts. Some reviewers note that while the course provides broad coverage of various topics, the depth is limited in some areas due to the introductory nature. The optional companion book is frequently mentioned as a valuable supplement. Overall, it's considered an excellent starting point for beginners, though those seeking deep dives into specific topics might find it less comprehensive.

Covers a wide range of philosophy areas.

"The course covers a good breadth of philosophical areas, giving a taste of each."

"I appreciated getting an overview of epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, and more."

"It touches upon many fundamental questions across different branches of philosophy."

"A great survey course hitting the major areas."

Workload is appropriate for an introductory course.

"The workload is very reasonable, easy to fit into a busy schedule."

"It's not overly demanding, good for part-time study or just getting started."

"Quizzes and peer review were fair and manageable."

"Assignments weren't too stressful."

Readings support the lectures well.

"The required readings complemented the video lectures perfectly."

"I found the suggested readings added valuable context and detail."

"The provided texts helped solidify my understanding after the videos."

"Recommend doing the readings alongside the lectures."

'Philosophy for Everyone' book is a great resource.

"The companion book 'Philosophy for Everyone' is highly recommended, it provides great additional detail."

"Using the optional book made the course much richer for me."

"I bought the book, and it's a fantastic resource for reinforcing the lessons."

"Consider getting the book if you want more than just the videos."

Lectures are clear and easy to understand.

"The lectures are very clear and well-structured, making difficult subjects understandable."

"I found the explanations provided in the videos to be very lucid and easy to grasp."

"Complex ideas were broken down effectively in the lectures."

"The lecturers did a fantastic job explaining nuanced philosophical concepts simply."

Different professors are knowledgeable and engaging.

"All the lecturers are experts in their fields and present the topics in a clear, engaging way."

"Each week has a different professor, and they are all fascinating and explain complex ideas clearly."

"The different professors bring their passion and depth of knowledge, making the lectures enjoyable."

"It was great to hear directly from leading researchers on each topic."

Course is excellent for beginners in philosophy.

"An outstanding introductory course, perfect for someone with little to no background in philosophy."

"This is an excellent starting point if you know absolutely nothing about philosophy."

"Perfect for someone who is just starting out and wants to know what philosophy is about."

"I had zero background and this course was totally accessible and easy to follow."

Depth is sacrificed for breadth; it's an introduction.

"Because it covers so many topics, it doesn't go into much depth on any single one."

"It's a survey, so don't expect a deep dive into any specific philosopher or concept."

"Wish some modules had gone a bit deeper, but I understand it's just an intro."

"You'll need to look elsewhere for advanced understanding of any topic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Philosophy with these activities:

Review basic logic and critical thinking skills

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This will ensure you are starting the course with a strong foundation

Browse courses on Logic

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Review the basics of formal logic
Practice identifying and evaluating logical fallacies
Take a quiz or test related to the material to self-assess

Read _Philosophy for Everyone_ by the Edinburgh Philosophy team

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This book provides an accessible overview of all the major philosophical topics covered in the course. Reading this book will help you to get the most out of the course and also introduce you to some of the most influential contemporary philosophers

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Read the book
Take notes on important points

Review philosophical research methods

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This activity will refresh your understanding of methods used to research philosophy and concepts in philosophy

Browse courses on Epistemology

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Read articles from academic journals on philosophical research
Take notes on the key concepts and arguments presented in the articles
Discuss the articles with a classmate or mentor

Five other activities

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Join a study group to discuss course concepts

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This activity will help facilitate deeper understanding through the exchange of ideas and perspectives with your peers

Browse courses on Philosophy

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Join a study group or form one with classmates
Meet regularly to discuss course material

Seek out tutorials on different branches of philosophy

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This activity will give you a deeper dive into specific areas of philosophical thought and will help you understand the nuances of different schools of thought

Browse courses on Philosophy of Science

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Search for online tutorials led by experts on various aspects of philosophy
Follow the tutorials and take notes
Apply what you have learned through discussion or writing

Analyze and interpret philosophical arguments and texts

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This practice will help finetune the ability to critically evaluate philosophical claims and identify fallacies

Browse courses on Logical Reasoning

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Identify the argument or text to be analyzed
Break down the argument or text into its component parts
Identify the premises and the conclusion
Evaluate the validity and soundness of the argument
Write a brief summary of your analysis

Write a short essay on a philosophical topic of your choice

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Writing an essay will force you to think deeply about a philosophical topic and develop your communication skills

Browse courses on Philosophy

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Choose a philosophical topic that interests you
Research the topic
Develop a thesis statement
Write an outline
Write the essay

Practice applying philosophical concepts to real-world issues

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This exercise will allow you to apply what you learn in the course and to see how philosophical thinking relates to real world concerns

Browse courses on Ethics

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Identify a real-world issue that interests you
Analyze the issue using philosophical concepts
Develop a solution to the issue based on your analysis

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Philosophy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Philosopher

Philosophers research, teach, and write about philosophical topics. This course is an excellent fit for Philosophers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, political philosophy, and moral philosophy. This course can help Philosophers gain a deeper understanding of these areas of philosophy and develop their philosophical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philosopher

Lawyer

Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. This course may be useful for Lawyers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Lawyers understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of the law, which can be helpful for providing sound legal advice and representation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts are responsible for analyzing and advising on public policy issues. This course may be useful for Policy Analysts as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including political philosophy and moral philosophy. These areas of philosophy can help Policy Analysts understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of public policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Researcher

Researchers conduct research in a variety of fields. This course may be useful for Researchers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of science. These areas of philosophy can help Researchers understand the philosophical underpinnings of their research, which can be helpful for conducting rigorous and meaningful research.

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Author

Authors write books, articles, and other forms of literature. This course may be useful for Authors as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Authors understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of their writing, which can be helpful for writing engaging and thought-provoking literature.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to organizations on a variety of topics. This course may be useful for Consultants as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Consultants understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of their work, which can be helpful for providing sound advice to organizations.

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Public Speaker

Public Speakers speak to audiences on a variety of topics. This course may be useful for Public Speakers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Public Speakers understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of their speeches, which can be helpful for delivering engaging and thought-provoking speeches.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators oversee the collections of a museum and interpret them for the public. This course may be useful for Museum Curators as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including aesthetics, metaphysics, and philosophy of history. These areas of philosophy can help Museum Curators understand the philosophical underpinnings of the collections they oversee and interpret them in a way that is engaging and informative to the public.

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Ethics Consultant

Ethics Consultants advise organizations on ethical issues. This course may be useful for Ethics Consultants as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Ethics Consultants understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of ethical issues, which can be helpful for providing sound ethical advice to organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethics Consultant

Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific concepts to the public. This course may be useful for Science Writers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including philosophy of science and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Science Writers understand the philosophical underpinnings of science, which can be helpful for communicating scientific concepts to the public in a clear and engaging way.

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Teacher

Teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects. This course may be useful for Teachers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Teachers understand the nature of knowledge, reality, and morality, which can be helpful for teaching students about the world around them.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. This course may be useful for Journalists as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Journalists understand the nature of knowledge and reality, which can be helpful for critically analyzing and reporting on the news.

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Editor

Editors oversee the production of written content. This course may be useful for Editors as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of language. These areas of philosophy can help Editors understand the philosophical underpinnings of language and communication, which can be helpful for editing written content in a clear and concise way.

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Librarian

Librarians manage and organize the resources of a library. This course may be useful for Librarians as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of information. These areas of philosophy can help Librarians understand the philosophical underpinnings of information and knowledge, which can be helpful for managing and organizing the resources of a library in a way that is accessible to users.

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Professor

Professors teach and research at colleges and universities. This course may be useful for Professors as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, political philosophy, and moral philosophy. These areas of philosophy can help Professors develop a deeper understanding of these areas of philosophy and share their knowledge with their students.

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