We explore the relationship between mind and body, taking in the identity theory (mind is identical with, for example, brain) and objections to it (including Kripke's), Descartes' dualism, panpsychism, eliminitivism, behaviourism, functionalism, thinking machines, and also the puzzle of free will, Wittgenstein's version of illusionism, and Wittgenstein's famous 'private language argument'.
Philosophy of Mind: The Basics
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
Overview
Programme details
Courses starts: 22 Jan 2026
Week 1: Mind and brain
Week 2: Descartes' argument for dualism
Week 3: Free will
Week 4: Panpsychism
Week 5: Could a Machine Think?
Week 6: Behaviourism and Functionalism
Week 7: Eliminative Materialism
Week 8: Kripke's argument
Week 9: Wittgenstein and illusionism
Week 10: Wittgenstain's Private Language Argument
Recommended reading
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.
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Optional preparatory reading:
- The Philosophy Gym / Law, Stephen
Certification
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) Points
Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. Please follow this link for more information on Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points
Digital Certificate of Completion
Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the 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 attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Please note students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £300.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
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:
Tutor
Dr Stephen Law
Stephen Law is a Departmental Lecturer in Philosophy and Director of the Certificate of Higher Education at OUDCE. His research focuses on the philosophy of mind, language, metaphysics and on philosophy of religion. He also writes many accessible online articles and edits the Royal Institute of Philosophy journal THINK: Philosophy for Everyone.
Course aims
- To provide an overview of several competing theories on the relationship between mind and body.
- To provide clear overviews of the main arguments for and against physicalism.
- To provide a basic understanding of some of the more radical approaches to the mind/body problem, including the later Wittgenstein's.
- To sharpen the analytic skills of students, particularly as applied to philosophical questions about the mind.
Teaching methods
Each unit involves a combination of lecture and seminar, with plenty of opportunity for discussion as we progress.
For some units we will read designated chapters, or selections, in advance of the class. All such materials will be available and accessible online.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
- be able to outline some of the key arguments both for and against physicalism;
- have a good critical understanding of several main theories about the relationship between mind and body;
- have enhanced their analytic and argumentative skills, particularly as applied to philosophical questions about mind;
- have a much more rounded and developed understanding of the strengths and weakness of physicalist and non-physicalist approaches to the mind/body problem.
Assessment methods
Students are assessed on the basis of an essay of 1,500 words on a chosen topic from the course (suggested questions will be provided during the course).
Formative assessment - students may also submit up to 500 word essay plan for approval and suggestions from the tutor.
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation will submit coursework.
Application
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £60 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 now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
Students who do not register for assessment and credit during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. 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.
Level and demands
The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.