Tutor information
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.
Courses
Philosophy and psychology combine to examine a range of weird beliefs and experiences. How much credence should we give to reports of alien abduction, psychic powers, angels, and so on? To what extent should we trust our own experiences of these things?
How much of a problem is the degradation of trust, honesty, and integrity in politics? Is it reasonable to expect politicians to be highly trustworthy? Join our panel event in Oxford to explore this topic.
Given that we are part of a physically determined universe, can we ever truly be said to 'act freely'? Aren't we, in effect, nature's puppets, no more capable of performing free actions than is a marionette? Join us in Oxford to explore Free Will.
An exploration of ten important and influential philosophical ideas - from Ancient Greece to the present day.
An introduction to Wittgenstein's later philosophy, and especially his work on Mind and Meaning.
From astrology and miracle healing to conspiracy theories and alternative medicine - we apply critical thinking and investigate how people are able to convince themselves such beliefs are reasonable when they're not. Join us in Oxford or watch online.
To what extent is the supernatural off-limits to science? Can science show, as Richard Dawkins claims, that there's probably no God? Or are Dawkins and others guilty of scientism - of supposing that science can answer every legitimate question?
'Humanism' is a word that has a number of meanings. The focus here is on explaining the kind of atheistic world-view espoused by those who organize and campaign under that banner in the UK and abroad (often referred to as 'secular humanism' in the US).
Just how reasonable or unreasonable is it to believe in God? Is belief in God irrational, perhaps even delusional? Or can a good case be made for the existence of God? These questions and more will be discussed at this panel event in Oxford.
Just how reasonable or unreasonable is it to believe in God? Is belief in God irrational, perhaps even delusional? Or can a good case be made for the existence of God? These questions and more will be discussed at this panel event in Oxford.
What do we mean by 'God'? How is religious language used? Can we trust religious experiences? Stephen Law explores the key issues in Philosophy of Religion.