The Art of Philosophical Thinking: The Nature of Reality: Mind, World and God

We very much look forward to welcoming both new and returning students to the University of Southampton. Unless otherwise stated, all courses will be taught in person at our Avenue Campus.

We would like to advise that you will need to have the appropriate technology and suitable internet connection in place, as we will be making use of online materials. At Southampton, we use a virtual learning environment (VLE) called Blackboard which is used to deliver learning materials and real-time online teaching for our students.

The Art of Philosophical Thinking: The Nature of Reality: Mind, World and God

We use the term ‘real’ to distinguish what actually exists from what appears to exist. In this six-week course, we will investigate what’s real in three different domains: mind, world, and God. 

This course serves as an introduction to metaphysics, but the scope is broader than that. We will be asking big questions, such as ‘What is consciousness?’ and ‘Does God exist?’ 

In Part 1, we will contemplate the nature of our mental lives. We will confront the mind–body problem and the challenge of explaining subjectivity. 

In Part 2, we will consider the nature of the external world. We will reflect on what space and time are before considering Descartes’s radical scepticism, the simulation hypothesis, and Moore’s defence of common sense. 

In Part 3, we will inquire into God’s existence. We will consider Anselm’s argument for why He must exist and see how Spinoza equates God with nature. 

This 6-week course will take place at our Avenue Campus on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm starting on 23 April 2026 and finishing on 28 May 2026.

Please see our price list below:

• Standard price - £115.00
• Staff/student/alumni price - £100.00

Please note: if you select the staff or student price option, you must use an online store account that has been set up with your University email address and fill out your University staff or student ID number when prompted as part of the questionnaire data section.

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.  AMEX is not accepted.
If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a booking.