Introduction to Philosophy

Introduction to Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh surveys the main areas of contemporary philosophy, with a different philosopher presenting each topic. It opens by asking what philosophy is and how it differs from other subjects, then moves through morality (objective, relative or emotive?), the nature of knowledge, whether we are obliged to obey the law, whether to believe what we hear, minds, brains and computers, whether scientific theories are true, free will, and time travel. Short review modules sit between the weeks, and a peer-reviewed assignment closes the course.

Coursera lists fourteen modules of one to two hours each and a schedule of two weeks at ten hours a week on a flexible timetable; no level is stated. The course is flagged as free, so every module is accessible without payment. A shareable certificate can be bought, with the price not shown on the page, and financial aid is listed as available.