History of Western Philosophy
A Fortnightly Programme in the History of Western Philosophy taught by Dr Badreldeen Ismail
Programme Overview
This programme offers a systematic introduction to the history of Western philosophy, tracing the development of major philosophical questions, arguments and traditions from antiquity through to modern and contemporary thought.
The programme begins with fundamental questions concerning the existence of God, the nature of the mind, the foundations of knowledge and the good life. It then examines the formative contributions of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, before turning to major developments in early modern philosophy through figures such as Descartes and Hume. Later thinkers, including Kant, are considered in relation to the changes in philosophical method and intellectual outlook that shaped subsequent Western thought.
Throughout the programme, philosophical ideas are studied both as arguments requiring careful analysis and as contributions to an unfolding intellectual tradition. Students consider how philosophers respond to their predecessors, reformulate inherited questions and develop competing accounts of knowledge, reality, mind, morality and human flourishing.
Particular attention is given to the relationship between philosophical argument and historical context. Rather than treating individual thinkers in isolation, the programme considers the continuities, disagreements and conceptual developments through which philosophical traditions take shape over time.
The primary course text is Socrates to Sartre and Beyond by Samuel Stumpf and James Fieser. Supporting texts include A History of Western Philosophy by W. T. Jones and A History of Philosophy by Frederick Copleston.
Programme Aims
As students progress through the programme, they will:
Develop a systematic understanding of major figures, questions and developments within the history of Western philosophy.
Develop the ability to identify, reconstruct and critically assess philosophical arguments.
Examine philosophical positions within their historical and intellectual contexts.
Understand the relationships between major philosophical traditions and the ways in which later thinkers respond to earlier arguments.
Engage with fundamental questions concerning God, knowledge, mind, ethics and the good life.
Develop greater confidence in comparing philosophical positions and identifying changes in philosophical method and intellectual outlook.
Strengthen the analytical and interpretative skills required for sustained engagement with philosophical texts and arguments.
Engaging with the Programme
The programme is open to anyone wishing to develop a structured understanding of the Western philosophical tradition, whether approaching philosophy for the first time or seeking to consolidate previous study.
It will be of particular relevance to students of philosophy, theology, classics, intellectual history and related fields, as well as independent and returning learners wishing to engage more systematically with major philosophical thinkers and questions.
No advanced prior study of philosophy is required. Students are expected to undertake the assigned reading where appropriate, participate in discussion and engage seriously with the arguments and questions examined during each class.
Recordings and Participation
The Classical Institute does not provide recordings of its taught programmes. Our teaching is designed for live participation, and students are expected to attend classes as they take place.
This reflects the Institute’s commitment to a Socratic approach to learning, in which teaching develops through close engagement with the material, questioning, discussion and intellectual exchange between lecturer and students. Active participation is an integral part of the learning process and allows students to engage directly with both the subject matter and the wider intellectual life of the classroom.
Regular live attendance and participation are therefore expected of all students and form an important part of academic progress. Materials made available through Teleia are provided to support preparation, study and continued engagement between classes; they are not a substitute for attendance.
Programme Fees
The fee for the programme is £205.00.
Scholarships
Applicants are first considered for admission to the programme. Following a successful application, those wishing to apply for a scholarship are invited to complete a separate scholarship assessment form. Applicants should indicate in the Additional Information Section of the programme application if they wish to be considered for financial support.
The scholarship assessment process comprises a review of the application, followed by an interview. Awards are made on an individual basis, taking into account an applicant’s commitment to learning, academic merit and potential, together with demonstrated financial need.
Please allow up to 14 working days for the scholarship assessment process to be completed. Scholarships are subject to availability and eligibility.
Programme Information
Lecturer: Dr Badreldeen Ismail
Department: Philosophy & Theology
Delivery: Online
Day: Mondays, fortnightly
Frequency: Every two weeks
Time: 10:30pm-11:30pm
Programme Fee: £205.00
Primary Text: Socrates to Sartre and Beyond by Samuel Stumpf and James Fieser
Enrolment: Closed - Programme at Capacity