This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
Kant is the greatest thinker of both the Enlightenment and the modern age, having initiated what he called a "Copernican Revolution" in philosophy, one which continues to resonate in our own time. Kant says that philosophy deals with four questions: What can I know? What ought I to do? What can I hope? What is the human being? We will examine and evaluate his answers to these questions, taking in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, religion, politics and anthropology.
Courses starts: 22 Jan 2026
Week 1: Kant and the Enlightenment
Week 2: What can I know?
Week 3: What ought I to do?
Week 4: What may I hope?
Week 5: What is the human being?
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Optional preparatory reading:
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £180.00 |
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Meade McCloughan has been studying philosophy for over 40 years and has taught at University College London and Birkbeck College London. He wrote his PhD thesis on Kant's philosophy of history.
Students will be provided with a course pack containing the main extracts from Kant's texts to be considered in the course. The tutor will give a presentation in class, before opening up for discussion. Electronic presentations will be used and made available to students in advance in a variety of formats.
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
1. have become familiar with the main elements of Kant’s thought.
2. have developed informed and considered views as to the strengths and weaknesses of Kant’s philosophical positions.
This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.
Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.
