Online Philosophy Course
A Simpler Way to Explore the Philosophy of Free Will
Do you want to enhance your life by learning about the philosophy of free will?
Traditionally, opportunities to study philosophy have been extremely limited. Lengthy and expensive university programs or extended online courses requiring hours of independent effort often leave learners feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and disconnected. Without accessible avenues of study, the benefits of philosophy—developing a richer, more authentic, and fulfilled life—remain out of reach. Our microlearning course, Deconstructing Free Will, changes this. By breaking down key concepts into digestible and focused lessons, we make learning philosophy simple, approachable, and impactful.
Microlearning is an innovative learning method that transforms the experience of studying philosophy. Using the proven SMART goal methodology, this approach allows you to absorb essential concepts in short, manageable steps—steadily building profound insights over time.
Course Overview
This 6-week course introduces students to the foundational aspects of the philosophy of free will while connecting these ideas to modern-day applications. Through short, engaging video lessons and reflective journaling prompts, students will learn to critically analyze and interpret key debates in philosophy while developing a deeper understanding of themselves.
Course Audience
This introductory philosophy course is designed for anyone curious about free will and its implications, regardless of prior experience with philosophy. Whether you’re exploring the subject for the first time or seeking fresh insights, this course is perfect for a general audience.
Key Learning Objectives
- Understand the core concepts and debates surrounding free will in Western philosophy.
- Evaluate philosophical arguments and relate them to real-world scenarios.
- Reflect on personal perspectives and form a deeper understanding of individual autonomy.
Course Delivery
This 6-week program is presented in a user-friendly microlearning format. Each week features a new 5-to-10-minute video lesson along with a reflection or journaling prompt to help deepen your understanding and personal connection to the material.
Course Description
Lessons
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Free Will
Lesson 2 – Determinism vs. Free Will
Lesson 3 – Compatibilism and Libertarianism
Lesson 4 – Neuroscience and Free Will
Lesson 5 – Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Lesson 6 – Revisiting Free Will in Modern Contexts
Course Overview and Benefits
This course offers a well-rounded exploration of free will, a fundamental topic in philosophy with profound implications for ethics, decision-making, and personal growth. Each lesson builds upon the last to gradually develop your understanding while keeping the material concise and accessible.
The first lesson establishes a strong foundation for understanding the concept of free will and highlights its importance in philosophical discourse. You’ll examine definitions, key distinctions between free will and determinism, and the historical trajectory of these debates. This step allows you to anchor your exploration in the broader intellectual traditions of Western philosophy.
Subsequent lessons focus on narrower debates within the field. You’ll dive into determinism and its challenge to free will, followed by an introduction to the major responses to this challenge, including compatibilism and libertarianism. Along the way, you’ll engage with the perspectives of prominent philosophers like Laplace, Hume, and Kant, providing you with a range of viewpoints to consider.
The course also incorporates cutting-edge scientific discussions with its lesson on neuroscience and free will. Here, you’ll explore how modern research, such as the Libet experiment, impacts traditional philosophical ideas about autonomy. By understanding these discoveries, you’ll gain an appreciation for the intersection of science and philosophy.
The penultimate lesson ties the philosophical concept of free will to moral responsibility. Through this exploration, you’ll analyze how differing perspectives on free will affect questions of accountability and ethics. Thinkers like Sartre and Strawson will guide your understanding of this critical connection.
Finally, the course concludes by revisiting earlier themes in light of contemporary perspectives. This allows you to synthesize the knowledge gained throughout the program and reflect on how your views on free will have evolved. You’ll draw connections from abstract philosophical ideas to modern applications in legal systems, culture, and your own life.
Beyond the lessons, the microlearning structure ensures consistent engagement. By dedicating a manageable amount of time each week, you’ll steadily grow your comprehension without feeling burdened and will have the space to meaningfully reflect on each concept. Personalized journaling prompts further enrich the experience, allowing you to cement ideas and relate them to your daily life.
By the end of the course, you’ll not only gain a clear understanding of the philosophy of free will but also discover how philosophical thinking can lead to a more thoughtful, intentional, and empowered way of living. This course is more than just academic knowledge—it’s a toolkit for igniting curiosity, critical thinking, and personal transformation.