Focus on Philosophy: Metaphors, Allegories and Thought Experiments

Philosophers have used metaphors, allegories and thought experiments to discover, develop, explain and evaluate their theories since the beginnings of human thought. In fact, Nietzsche went as far as to say “metaphors are as close to the truth as man can ever get”. In this module, we collect, explore, explain, contextualise, dissect and admire some of the finest examples of these philosophical metaphors and allegories from Plato’s Cave to Descartes’ Tree of Science, and cover thought experiments including different versions of the Trolley Dilemma and Robert Nozick’s Experience Machine.

The questions raised through these devices are linked to the main branches of philosophy (Logic, Ethics, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Existentialism, Philosophy of Religion), and examining them gives us a unique window on the evolution of philosophical thought. What is right and wrong, the question of free will, ethics, justice and faith are some of the major areas you will be invited to think about – through metaphors.

'Focus on Philosophy’ is a series of online, self-paced learning modules, which focus on philosophical thought and debate. They give students an opportunity to consider the fundamental questions and explore the history of philosophy, from ancient times up to the present day. Studying philosophy helps you to improve logical and critical thinking, develop coherent arguments and write persuasively.

This self-paced online course is structured around a series of themed units that explore key areas of philosophy through metaphors, allegories, and thought experiments. Each unit includes short video lectures, interactive tasks, and discussion board prompts to encourage reflection and debate. Students are encouraged to engage with the materials at their own pace and contribute to the ongoing online discussions.

Throughout the course, there will be three optional online meetings where students can discuss the course topics in real time, ask questions, and share insights with the tutor and fellow learners.

Note

This module is at CQFW Level 4