Online learning

We provide a variety of free learning resources, including podcasts, articles and video resources, ranging from 15-minute masterclasses to online lectures and debates, to help enrich your philosophical understanding.

The Annual Lectures

Annual lectures · Edinburgh annual lectures · Upcoming events

The Puzzle of Free Will: Problems in Life and a Problem in Theory 

Professor Pamela Hieronymi will be delivering this year's Royal Society of Edinburgh/Royal Institute of Philosophy annual public lecture. Her talk navigates debates around Free Will, focusing on two key aspects: "problems in life" and "problems in theory."

· Edinburgh
Annual lectures · London annual lectures · Upcoming events

Why do religions divide us? What can we do about it? 

In the 2024 London Lecture, Professor Kwame Anthony Appiah delves into the complexities of religion and its role in societal divisions. By separating the diverse elements of religions and their influences on identity and politics, he offers insights into how we can foster understanding and resolve conflicts in our multi-religious world.

· London
Annual lectures · Dublin annual lectures · Upcoming events

Social Transformation in Times of Uncertainty 

The annual Royal Institute of Philosophy & UCD School of Philosophy public lecture will be delivered this year by Professor Rahel Jaeggi, who will explore what drives social change and how much of an impact social actors can have on this.

· Dublin
Annual lectures · Edinburgh annual lectures

Sad Love: Beyond the Fairytale 

Meet ‘philosophy’s crazy ex-girlfriend,’ Professor Carrie Jenkins, at this year’s annual joint event between the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Institute of Philosophy, as we explore the age-old question: what is love really?

· Edinburgh and Online
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Masterclasses

Masterclasses

What is the Good Life? 

In this video, Dr Angie Hobbs, Professor of the Public Understanding at the University of Sheffield, presents "What is the Good Life? Revisiting Aristotle's Function Argument". This episode is one of a pair of videos on Virtue Ethics, although both can be viewed independently. The other episode, Why Study Aristotle's Virtue Ethics?, can be found in this playlist and provides a more general introduction on the topic.

Masterclasses

From Self to God 

In this talk, John Cottingham, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Reading, looks at Descartes' journey from Self to God.

Masterclasses

Should we be Cartesian Dualists? 

Dr Emily Thomas, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Durham University, asks whether we should be Cartesian dualists.

Masterclasses

What is Property Dualism? 

David Chalmers, Professor of Philosophy at New York University, looks at property dualism.

Masterclasses

Does All Knowledge Come From Experience? 

Michael Lacewing, Head of Theology and Philosophy, Christ's Hospital School, asks whether all knowledge comes from experience.

Masterclasses

What is the Recipe for Knowledge? Part 2 

The second part of Dr Steph Rennick's talk on the recipe for knowledge.

Masterclasses

What is the Recipe for Knowledge? Part 1 

Dr Steph Rennick, Research Associate in Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, looks at what is needed to know things. This is Part One of her talk.

Masterclasses

Is There Anything Outside the Mind? 

In this video, Arif Ahmed, University of Cambridge, gives an overview of the philosophy of George Berkeley.

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Expanding Horizons: London Lectures 2021

Expanding Horizons: 2021-2 · London Lectures

Fernando Pessoa: The Poet as Philosopher 

Jonardon Ganeri (University of Toronto) presents this talk on Fernando Pessoa whose genius as a philosopher has as yet hardly been recognized.

· London
Expanding Horizons: 2021-2 · London Lectures

Zoetology: A New Name for an Old Way of Thinking 

Roger Ames (University of Hawaiʻi) presents his talk “Zoetology:” A New Name for an Old Way of Thinking.

· London
Expanding Horizons: 2021-2 · London Lectures

Decolonising Philosophy 

Lewis Gordon's talk examines what it means for philosophy to be ‘colonised’ and the challenges involved in ‘decolonising’ it in philosophical and political terms. 

· London
Expanding Horizons: 2021-2 · London Lectures

What Counts as a Collective Gift? Culture & Value in Du Bois’ The Gift of Black Folk 

Chike Jeffers (Dalhousie University) presents his talk What Counts as a Collective Gift? Culture and Value in Du Bois’ The Gift of Black Folk.

· London
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Podcast

Differentiating Scientific Inquiry and Politics 

Heather Douglas lays out norms for scientific inquiry that make it distinct in practice from politics and argues that understanding and defending these differences help to protect science from abuses of power.

By Heather Douglas Find out more →

A-level guides 

Explore our accessible guides on mind, God, ethics and knowledge, perfect for revision or as an introduction to the topics.

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School conferences 

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