An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art: evening course, Central London

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art

A 5-session introductory course led by Nigel Warburton

Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL (a short walk from Holborn tube station)

Maximum class size 35

Teaching style: a mixture of lectures and discussion

No prior knowledge of philosophy assumed

This course runs for 5 consecutive Tuesday evenings beginning 13th January 2015 (13th, 20th, 27th January, and 3rd and 1oth February)

The course will run from 8.10pm - 9.40pm in the Bertrand Russell room (apart from 2oth Jan, which is in the Brockway Room)

This is an introductory course examining some key ideas in the Philosophy of Art. Topics discussed will include several different approaches to the question 'What is Art?' such as Clive Bell's Formalism, R.G. Collingwood's The Principles of Art, the neo-Wittgensteinian critique of attempts to define art, Arthur Danto and George Dickie on art and institutions. We'll also discuss questions about the relevance of an artist's intentions  to interpretation, and the vexed issue of the basis of critical judgments about particular works of art, taking off from David Hume's famous essay 'Of the Standard of Taste'. 

If you want to do some background reading before the course starts, my book The Art Question covers several of these topics. You might also listen to this Philosophy Bites interview with Derek Matravers on the definition of art.

For those who haven't studied Philosophy before, my books Philosophy: the Basics and A Little History of Philosophy are intended for general readers. Philosophy: the Basics includes a chapter on the Philosophy of Art.

 

Booking

The price for the 5-session course is £85 payable in advance via Paypal using the buttons below.  (concessions - full time students, unemployed, and those who have attend previous courses I've run:  £70 - use drop down menu on Paypal button).

Special price if you take both An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art and An Introduction to Existentialism courses: £150 full price, concessions (as above) £120. Further details of An Introduction to Existentialism course (this course runs on the same evenings as the existentialism course from 6.30pm - 8pm).

Book now for An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art course at Conway Hall

Full Price/Concession

Full price £85.00 GBP Concession £70.00 GBP

Book now for both courses: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art and An Introduction to Existentialism

 

Full Price/Concession

Full price £150.00 GBP Concession £120.00 GBP

Comment on a previous course:

'Fully recommend attending Nigel Warburton's Philosophy courses. Around this time last year, I had never studied Philosophy before, never been to university and had been out of education for three years. After doing a few courses with Nigel, I chose to enrol and am now studying Philosophy at the University of Sussex, where I have just received a first for an essay in my first term! Nigel is a brilliant teacher and his courses are hugely enjoyable and informative for people at all levels. I didn't realise just how much I'd learnt until I was able to apply it to a range of modules at university study. It was a fantastic grounding in the subject and if you're thinking about studying philosophy further or just for fun, and particularly if you haven't studied it before - Nigel's definitely your man! The courses make perfect Christmas pressies too - I spent my Christmas money on last year's course and it was a very sound investment! I also loved meeting a range of people on the courses from secondary school pupils to middle aged professionals - it really has something to offer everyone.'

 Kelly Smith, Theatre Producer and Philosophy Undergraduate, Brighton.