Online Distance Learning

Next 10 Week Introductory Philosophy Course
Starting on Wednesday the 18th Jan 2012 at 8pm, Fee: €75

Deadline for registration: 31st December 2011

Distance Learning is designed for those who cannot attend classes at one of the many branches around Ireland. The School of Philosophy is offering its Introductory Philosophy Course via an online, interactive distance-learning format. Not a text-based chat-room, this enjoyable format allows the entire class to be heard and seen via the internet.

A course designed for thoughtful men and women who seek an understanding of the nature of humanity and of the world in which we live, this introductory course shows how great philosophic ideas of the past and present may be put to effective practical use in daily life.

The course inquires into the meaning of human existence; the levels of consciousness; natural law; thought, feeling and action; and mankind's functions and possibilities.

The introductory series of 10 online lectures is offered three times a year: in January, April, and September. The online course, at one hour a week, covers the first five weeks of the traditional two-hour classroom's syllabus.

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Start dates & times

Introductory class will start Wednesday January 18, 2012 beginning at 8:00pm.

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Technical Requirements

• You need to have a broadband (i.e., cable or DSL high-speed) internet connection.
• You will need a decent quality headset (NOT a separate microphone and speakers, nor a built-in webcam microphone), or a good quality speaker phone with echo-canceling capability.
• Your Windows PC must be relatively new (less than 5 years). Macintosh is not supported, although it is possible to run Windows on a Macintosh; click here to find out how.
• You will need a webcam. Click here to view some recommended equipment.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at dl@practicalphilosophy.ie.

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To Enrol

To enrol, fill in the form opposite. You will then be contacted by a member of the Distance Learning team who will take you through the technical setup and other details.

Note: There is a class size limit of 14. Unfortunately as we cannot tell at the time of enrollment if this has been reached, if this limit has been exceeded, you will be informed and your enrollment fee refunded.

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Syllabus

The unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates

• Session 1 - THE WISDOM WITHIN
  Why study philosophy?
  Introduction to two very practical exercises in awareness.
  Coming to your senses.
• Session 2 - LEVELS OF AWARENESS
  The wise live a life governed by principle.
  How often and for how long are we awake?
• Session 3 - WAKING UP TO NEW KNOWLEDGE
  How can we live more consciously and with greater purpose?
  Observation and the spirit of inquiry.
• Session 4 - SELF KNOWLEDGE: WHAT AM I?
  How can we wake up more often during the day?
  "What is your substance, whereof are you made?" William Shakespeare
  Self-knowledge through observation: "If you can see it, you can't be it."
  Am I this body? Mind? Heart? What more is there?
• Session 5 - WHAT YOU GIVE YOUR ATTENTION TO GROWS
  How can we increase the power of attention and realize our full potential?
  Who is the center of attention? "Are you talking to ME?"
• Session 6 - BEAUTY: A NEW WAY OF SEEING
  When awareness and attention are open how far can we see?
  Where is Beauty? What is beauty itself?
  A practical investigation based on Plato's Symposium.
  Midterm reflection: Has this course made your life happier?
• Session 7 - A REMEDY FOR NEGATIVE FEELINGS
  What can be done about negativity that limits our awareness and happiness?
  Introduction to a time-tested remedy for negative feelings.
  Is there such a thing as justice?
• Session 8 - WHAT IS OUR PART IN THE PLAY OF CREATION?
  Introduction to a view of creation designed to bring greater balance and harmony into our lives.
  How can we play our parts with greater effectiveness and satisfaction?
• Session 9 - THE UNDERLYING UNITY: E PLURIBUS UNUM
  What is the ultimate aim of all these practices in awareness?
  The philosophy of Advaita: Discovering unity in diversity.
• Session 10 - THE DESIRE FOR TRUTH
  What brought us here? What keeps us here?
  Have we discovered some of the wisdom within?
  Are we more present and aware? Are we happier?
  Is there such a thing as Truth?
  What is the way forward?