The existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre thought that human beings live in anguish. Not because life is terrible. But rather because, we’re ‘condemned to be free’. We're ‘thrown’ into existence, become aware of ourselves, and have to make choices. Even deciding not to choose is a choice. According to Sartre, every choice reveals what we think a human being should be.
Find out more about the individual and consciousness
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The body: A phenomenological psychological perspective
The body has traditionally been treated as a biological object in psychology. However, is there more to our bodies than that? Some psychologists recognise that we relate to other people and the world about us through our body. This free course, The body: A phenomenological psychological perspective, explores the theoretical perspective on embodiment: the phenomenological psychological perspective.
Learn moreThe body: A phenomenological psychological perspectiveLevel: 3 Advanced
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Introducing consciousness
What is consciousness? How does the brain generate consciousness and how can a science of the mind describe and explain it adequately? This free course, Introducing consciousness, will introduce you to the slippery phenomenon that is consciousness, as well as some of the difficulties consciousness presents to science and philosophy.
Learn moreIntroducing consciousnessLevel: 3 Advanced
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Consciousness and the limits of science
Professor Russell Stannard asks how can we ever understand the relationship between consciousness and the physical brain.
Read nowConsciousness and the limits of scienceLevel: 1 Introductory
General philosophising
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Introducing philosophy
Ever wondered what it would be like to study philosophy? This free course, Introducing philosophy, will introduce you to the teaching methods employed and the types of activities and assignments you would be asked to undertake should you wish to study philosophy and the human situation.
Learn moreIntroducing philosophyLevel: 1 Introductory
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Choose your own philosophy adventure
'Castle, Forest, Island, Sea' is a choose-your-own-adventure interactive that explores key questions in philosophy. Where will your chosen path lead you?
Take part nowChoose your own philosophy adventureLevel: 1 Introductory
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Study at the OU: The arts past and present
A broad course that introduces the arts across a range of subject areas, including music, art, English, classics and history
Read moreStudy at the OU: The arts past and present -
Exploring Philosophy
Does God exist? Why should I act morally? Can I trust science? Should I obey laws I disagree with? Discover how philosophers have offered radically diverging answers to these and other questions.
Read moreExploring Philosophy
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