Philosophy

Traditionally philosophy has dealt with 3 big questions:

1. What (truly) exists? Physics & metaphysics
2. How do we know? Epistemology
3. How should we behave? Ethics

The 2023 study program will commence with a 3-month module, holistically exploring aspects of epistemology. It will be led by Huw Thomas, Barbara Catturnar and Stuart Traynor, on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of February, March and April.
We will begin by exploring the concept of truth, starting with the ideas of the Greeks. Then, drawing on Immanuel Kant’s ideas, we will examine the mental models we construct to help us make sense of the world, along with the status of scientific concepts and knowledge — their validity and limitations. Recognising that our capacity for symbolic thought is one of the things that sets us apart from other creatures, we will go on to explore issues related to language, and how the symbol system of language (including mathematics) frames our experience and produces meaning.

Please ring Stuart if you would like to participate