Philosophy Summer School
Our lives and our world are full of mystery. The nature of knowledge, how we perceive and understand the world around us, what is the meaning of our lives, what, if anything, happens when they are over, what are key moral values such as justice and fairness that we try to live our lives by, what is beauty in art and what is its appropriate role in society, what is the relationship between consciousness and action? When one considers the number of such fundamental and fascinating, yet un-answered questions in our lives, one begins to understand the words uttered by Plato nearly 2500 years ago when he claimed that “Philosophy begins in wonder”. The Philosophy Summer School is an opportunity for students aged 15-18 to embrace and explore their wonderment about the world and our place in it, and to tackle intriguing and crucial questions about them.
Over 5 days students will learn about philosophical thinkers from as far back as Plato to modern figures like John Rawls, Jerry Cohen and Derek Parfit. In between, the works of Descartes, John Locke, David Hume, John Stuart Mill, AJ Ayer, Immanuel Kant and Bertrand Russell will all form part of the course.
Summer school students will get an insight into a wide range of philosophical subjects. We will engage in close textual analysis and exegesis (critical explanation and interpretation of a text), use thought experiments to isolate philosophical intuitions and ideas, and explore attempted solutions to philosophical problems. For example, we will be reading Edmund Gettier’s remarkably influential 3 page article from 1963, which revolutionized the way in which philosophers define knowledge. Through group work, discussion and debate we will assess the strengths and weaknesses of responses put forward by different philosophers to the problem which Gettier poses.
There will also be the opportunity to engage with meta-philosophical questions about the nature of philosophical enquiry as we examine different philosophical methods. Anglo-Saxon philosophy puts great emphasis on formal logic in the development and presentation of philosophical arguments, giving their systems of thought a rather timeless, dry and minimalist sense, whereas continental philosophy, as practiced by thinks such as Nietzsche, Sartre, Foucault and Schopenhauer, understands philosophy as being relevant principally within a specific historical and political context.
A key focus of the Philosophy Summer School will be justice – one of the key values we aim to live our lives by. Returning to the ancient Greek roots of Western Philosophy, we will examine Plato’s ideas as set out in his classic work The Republic on justice in an individual and in a state. We will also debate his bold claim that justice is the same in different places and at all times in history, and compare this with both universalist and culturally relativistic attempts to define justice in the 20th Century.
Philosophy is a discipline which helps students to develop key cross-curricular skills. The logical clarity of thought and argument which is necessary to succeed in understanding and debating philosophy teaches one to form clear, concise and logical arguments as well as enabling one to develop the ability to put forward arguments and persuade others.
The Debate Chamber Philosophy Summer School is ideal for students who are thinking about studying philosophy at university, or who simply enjoy tackling thorny problems in a logical way and questioning their everyday assumptions.
View a full schedule for the course here.
Download a poster to display in your school here.
University of London Union • 6th – 10th August and repeated 29th August – 2nd September 2012 (5 days) • open to students aged 15-18
Feedback from the 2011 Debate Chamber Philosophy Summer School – see more here:
It was a brilliant experience with both great tutors and great fellow students; I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in philosophy.
I can’t recommend it highly enough, the atmosphere was really relaxed and welcoming, and all the tutors were so lovely and approachable, I never felt intimidated or unsure about asking a question or speaking to the group. I took the course unsure about whether I wanted to take Philosophy for A-level, now I’m sure it’s what I want to study at university! I’m so glad I did the course, it really opened my eyes to what a fascinating and varied subject Philosophy is. The quality of teaching was brilliant, all the topics were explained clearly and the class discussions made the event really exciting and engaging, I can’t believe how much I learnt in five days!
My brain has never been so stretched before and I loved it. It seems intense to try and cover ‘Philosophy’ in 5 days, and it really is but the way it’s done is interactive enough and the tutors so enthusiastic that you feel as though you are actually philosophically engaged in the process. The other people were also wonderful; I don’t think I’ve ever got to work with such an interesting and interested group.
Fantastic atmosphere, to be doing something you love with a dynamic and interesting group of people is definitely an experience to recommend!
I am pleased that I took the time to attend the Philosophy summer school as it was an inspiring, worthwhile opportunity. I was intrigued by the discussions focused on ethics and moral philosophy and learned that anything can be turned into a philosophical debate! By the end of the sessions, I didn’t want to leave; the week left me eager to pursue philosophy further and grateful for the brilliant sessions held by tutors from Oxford University! I enjoyed every single minute of the week!
Book a place:
The cost of the Philosophy Summer School is £360 per student for five days. Please note that accommodation is not included, and must be arranged independently if required. Bookings for any event may be made by individual students or parents or through the school. To book a place or places at the Philosophy Summer School, or if you have any further questions, simply call on 0845 519 4827 or email info@debatechamber.com, or use the form below.
Debate Chamber offers a limited number of full and partial bursaries to students who could not otherwise afford to attend. If you are applying for a bursary please do not complete this form, but instead complete the ‘Bursary Application Form’ here.