Start Date
1 October, 2025
There will be 5 weekly meetings on Wednesday, 6 - 8pm, starting from 1 October.
Overview
Have you ever wondered how the world’s greatest thinkers shaped the way we understand truth, morality, existence, and the meaning of life? Great Thinkers Series: Thinkers from Western and Eastern Philosophical Traditions invites you on a journey across centuries and continents to explore humanity’s most profound questions through the eyes of philosophers from various traditions.
This three-part series introduces students to influential philosophers and philosophical traditions from both Western and Eastern contexts. Each term concentrates on key thinkers and ideas that have shaped human understanding of knowledge, ethics, reality, and the human condition. Students will critically engage with primary texts and scholarly interpretations, fostering cross-cultural philosophical literacy and analytical skills.
Through lively discussions, close readings of classic texts, and thoughtful debate, you will engage with diverse perspectives and discover surprising connections between East and West.
The five-week course examines key figures of the Western philosophical tradition, tracing its evolution from the Pre-Socratics and Classical Greek philosophers to Enlightenment thinkers. The focus is on the rise of metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology.
• Introduce students to foundational Western philosophers and key texts.
• Develop critical reading skills for philosophical arguments.
• Encourage discussion on the relevance of classical ideas in today's world.
This course introduces students to bold ideas that have transformed societies and continue to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world today. Whether you’re curious about Socrates’ relentless questioning, the pursuit of wisdom, or insights into the self, this series will broaden your mind and help you think critically, deeply, and globally.
This course is ideal for anyone interested in big ideas. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required, just an open mind and a willingness to discuss, question, and think deeply. If you enjoy exploring different cultures, debating timeless questions, and discovering how ancient insights still influence modern life, then this series is for you.
Syllabus
Week 1: The Birth of Philosophy: Pre-Socratics and Socrates (Heraclitus, Parmenides, Socrates)
Week 2: Plato's introduction to The Republic
Week 3: Plato & Socrates
Week 4: Medieval Synthesis: Saint Augustine
Week 5: Reason and Enlightenment: Descartes’s Meditations
Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier.
In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm.
Course Lecturer: Dr Shereen Shaw
Dr. Shereen Hamed Shaw is a Senior Lecturer and researcher at Edge Hill University’s Faculty of Education. She holds a double honours BA in English & Comparative Literature and Philosophy from AUC, an MA in Philosophy and Literature from UEA, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Liverpool. With experience teaching across secondary, further, and higher education in the UK and the Middle East, her work bridges the gap between philosophy and education, enriching both fields. She is the author of Britishness, Identity and Belonging in Education: Social Justice in Troubling Times. (2024) Springer Nature. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-63969-2.
Courses fees: Full fee £80/Concession £40.
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