Fun Philosophy Summer Boot Camp 10 Weeks: Critical Thinking, Metaphysics, Morals
In this summer boot camp series we cover a wide range of core Philosophical Topics. Each chosen to be easily accessible for kids and which include lots of fun thought experiments. A great intro to rational critical thinking & logic.
Dr Pete PhD Earth Science Philosophy Geology
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(287)
Popular
Rising Star
What's included
10 live meetings
8 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Optional. Students can get 6 multi-choice questions to answer after each class. Longer format questions also available.Assessment
If the student submits answers the questions then they will be assessed based that.Grading
If the student submits answers to the questions then a grade and certificate will be awarded at the end of the class.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
TOPICS COVERED: Knowledge (Epistemology), Metaphysics, Philosophy of Mind, Morals, Evolution, Free Will, Personal Identity & the Self ▬▬▬▬▬▬ INTRODUCTION ▬▬▬▬▬ The aim of the "Fun Philosophy Summer Camp" classes is to discuss the most interesting topics in Philosophy, because if we enjoy our first experiences of thinking, then this encourages kids to tackle more challenging subjects. So this is a great way to get hooked on THINKING, by starting with the most easily accessible and enjoyable topics. Kids can then use their new thinking SUPER POWERS in all different kinds of situations: from everyday decisions, to doing well at school, to even just impressing their friends. No previous experience necessary, just a willingness to think about the topics introduced and to have some fun having your mind blown! (in a good way). I teach in the tradition of Western Analytical Philosophy, stemming from Ancient Greece to modern times, which means we focus on rational logical arguments and how to critically analyse them. ▬▬▬▬▬▬ COURSE SUMMARY ▬▬▬▬▬ This series of classes will look at the following topics (these are all also available individually): 1) MORALS: Utilitarianism - For the Greater Good 2) EPISTEMOLOGY: Descartes: I think therefore I am. 3) METAPHYSICS: Perception & Direct Realism 4) METAPHYSICS: Mind & Consciousness 5) MORALS 2: Duty Theories: Kant and Singer 6) PERSONHOOD: What and who counts as a "person"? 7) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & THE ETHICS OF AI 8) PERSONAL IDENTITY: Could you survive teleporting? 9) THE FERMI PARADOX: Why haven't we heard from aliens yet? 10) THE MEANINGS OF LIFE: A meta-analysis of a few approaches ▬▬▬▬▬▬ CLASS STYLE ▬▬▬▬▬ I use PowerPoint presentations for all my classes, so I can mix text and multimedia and make the class more interesting. Each class will be run using an "intro-discussion-repeat" format. This means I will take a few minutes to introduce a topic, usually via a fun easily accessible thought experiment, and then we will pause to discuss it briefly. Then we'll move on to the next related topic and another great thought experiment and pause for discussion after that one too. This means that you can enjoy the class however you like. Speak up and get involved in the discussions, or just listen and enjoy with no pressure. If you like this class then you check out my other Fun Philosophy Courses, cherry picked to choose the most interesting, accessible and relevant philosophy subjects for kids, so they learn to enjoy thinking.
Learning Goals
To think and learn without realising it, because you are having fun! By the end of the series the learner will have a really good grasp of all the main categories in Philosophy. They will have a great grounding in the how to make and analyse rational arguments and will have learnt an up to date version of most of the key issues that Philosophers debate in Modern Western Philosophy.
Syllabus
10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 1:
Morals 1 - Utilitarianism: Should we always act for the greater good?
This class will look at Utilitarianism, which is the Moral Philosophy that suggests a moral action is one where we act to promote the greater good. We look at some apparent counterexamples that might cause problems for this approach and some alternative approaches in Moral Philosophy that contrast to this version of Consequentialism. This is a great introduction to thinking about Moral Philosophy and how we could guide our actions and decisions as a society. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Epistemology- "I think therefore I am" - Did Descartes prove we exist? Maybe not
In this class we will analyse the arguments surrounding one of the most famous Philosophy quotes of all time: Descartes' "I think therefore I am". He said this in order to prove his own existence because what if he was being deceived by an Evil Demon about everything. Well, it turns out it's quite hard to prove we are not and Descartes wasn't that good at it either. Which makes it a perfect topic for young minds to figure out where he went wrong! 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Philosophy of Perception - Do we (accurately) hallucinate all the time? Even now
In this class we will explore whether we see external objects directly or indirectly by discussing an extended Time-lag Argument and some theories of Time that relate to it. This is a really important subject in Philosophy of Mind & Perception because it explores how close our contact with external reality is and how reliable it is as a basis for empirical knowledge (Epistemology). We look at brains-in-vats and the film "The Matrix" and whether evolution cares which is true! 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Philosophy of Mind- What is consciousness? Could we be a (philosophical) zombie?
How do brains support our lived experience of colours, sounds and emotions? in the Philosophical literature this is referred to as Phenomenal (P) Consciousness and the Hard Problem of Consciousness. We look at some theories that discuss the possibility of (philosophical) zombies, that behave like us but have no P-Consciousness and whether maybe consciousness is just too hard a problem to ever solve! 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
Structured lecture classes, so participation optional, relieves anxiety
Mixed media slides for different learning styles
Engaging topics keeps attention
Slides can be seen before class
Different optional assessment formats available
Parental Guidance
This course discusses whether we are in a simulation or otherwise being foolded about our existence. We also use the Trolley Problem as a cartoon illustration as a thought experiemnt for moral choices where the person has to choose whether to direct a tram to run over 1 person or 5 people. It is done in a light hearted very abstract manner but some more sensative students might find it distressing.
Pre-Requisites
None
Joined December, 2021
5.0
287reviews
Popular
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
3 Degrees
Doctoral Degree from University of Nottingham
Master's Degree in Science from Imperial College London
Bachelor's Degree in Science from University of Bristol
I have a PhD in Philosophy and have taught these classes may times - they are my favourites to teach and the students all love exploring these fun topics with me.Reviews
Live Group Class
$20
weekly or $195 for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
50 min
Completed by 22 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
3-18 learners per class
