Does Life have a Meaning?



Overview

'What is the meaning of life?' is one of the most important questions we ask ourselves. But how should we understand this question? Why have many philosophers suggested that our lives are meaningless? In what ways might God be a source of meaning, and can life be seen as meaningful by those who do not believe in God’s existence? Is my life made meaningful through being a moral person or living in accordance with my human nature? Does the meaning of my life lie in the achievement of certain goals or is it more important to enjoy the present moment? We’ll discuss the answers various philosophers have given to these and other questions about the meaning of life.

We will consider these and other questions about the meaning of life. Philosophers discussed include Socrates, Aristotle, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Bertrand Russell, as well as various contemporary writers.

Programme details

Courses starts: 24 Jan 2024

Week 1: Introduction. Different interpretations of the question 'What is the meaning of life?' 

Week 2: Why have some philosophers deemed life to be meaningless?

Week 3: Can we find the types of meaning they have found lacking within a religious worldview?

Week 4: Subjectivism about meaning

Week 5: Narrativity: Is a meaningful life a life that tells a good story?

Week 6: Is the unexamined life worth living? Is trying to be a good person a necessary condition of meaning?

Week 7: Is a meaningful life a life in accordance with our nature?

Week 8: Our place in the world

Week 9: Can we find meaning through the pursuit of goals?

Week 10: Finding meaning in the present moment: What activities are meaningful independent of their effects?

Digital Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £257.00
Take this course for CATS points £10.00

Funding

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:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Andrea Lechler

Andrea Lechler holds a degree in Computational Linguistics, an MSc in Artificial Intelligence, and an MA and PhD in Philosophy. She has extensive experience of teaching philosophy for OUDCE and other institutions. Her website is andrealechler.com.

Course aims

This course aims to introduce students to different philosophical views on the meaning of life and to encourage critical engagement with these positions.

Course objectives:

  • To discuss different interpretations of the question 'What is the meaning of life?'
  • To show why life might be thought to be meaningless.
  • To introduce students to various philosophical positions on what makes life meaningful.

Teaching methods

The classes will involve presentations by the tutor, group work and general discussion, with plenty of opportunity for questions. As homework students will usually be given a short text to read, which will be discussed in the following class. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • understand the views and arguments discussed on the course
  • have the ability to critically engage with these positions and communicate their views to others
  • be able to use the content of the course to reflect on their own life.

Assessment methods

Students choose whether or not to do written work. For those who choose to do it assessment is based upon either one essay of about 1,500 words or three shorter assignments totalling about 1,500 words. In addition a practice assignment of about 500 words can be submitted. The shorter assignments typically involve answering questions on the homework reading. Students will be given advice on philosophical writing.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of twenty 2-hour sessions. It is expected that, for every 2 hours of tuition you are given, you will engage in eight hours of private study.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support