Philosophy for everyday life - Do you have free will and does it matter?
This course is available for enrolment.
Course code: SJM2
In this workshop we will explore whether we have free will and whether it matters. We will discuss the arguments for free will and determinism and look at the issue of free will and responsibility. We will examine the impact of these theories on a range of issues like punishment.
- when
-
From 08 Nov 2025
Sat 10:00-15:00 One day- Date
- 08 Nov 2025
- Time
- 10:00 to 15:00
- Tutor
- Jim Mepham
Stoke Lodge Centre, Shirehampton Road
Stoke Bishop
Bristol
BS9 1BN
- who
-
Bristol Adult Learning
0117 903 8844
Description
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">In this workshop we will explore whether we have free will and whether it matters. </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">We will discuss the arguments for free will and determinism and look at the issue of free will and responsibility. We will examine the impact of these theories on a range of issues like punishment. </span></span></span></p>
What can students expect?
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">We will discuss the essential messages of these theories and discuss their relevance to our own lives. </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Most people believe that they have free will. They can choose what they do and that is why people can be blamed or praised. But are they?</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The emphasis in this workshop will be on discussion and collaborative enquiry and the practical application of different ideas to our lives and concerns today. </span></span></span></p>
Previous experience required?
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No</span></span></p>
What is the progression route?
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Future Philosophy courses at Stoke Lodge.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">A level Philosophy.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">A level Ethics</span></span></span></p>
Are there any extra costs?
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No</span></span></p>
What should students bring?
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Pen or pencil</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Cash for hot drinks</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">A packed lunch</span></span></span></p>
Teaching method/style?
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Highly interactive workshops.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Tutor to provide …..</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">- video stimuli </span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">- background information, summary of key concepts and ideas.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">-facilitated discussion.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">-activities and exercises.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">-opportunities for paired talk</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">- opportunities for co-operative exploration.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">-opportunities for generating questions</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Teaching methods:</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Modelling</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Questioning</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Facilitated discussion</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Paired, co-operative activity</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Mini quizzes</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Exploring resources, extracts, quotes, summaries.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
Equipment Required
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No</span></span></p>
Refunds and cancellations
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Course Cancellations by Us</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• If we cancel your course, your fees will be refunded in full.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• We cannot reimburse the cost of any materials you may have purchased.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Cancellations by You</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• If you cancel 7 days or more before the course start date: Refund issued minus a 20% administration fee.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• If you cancel less than 7 days before the start date or after the course has started: No refund will be issued.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Transfers</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• Transfers must be requested at least 7 days before the course start date.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• A 10% transfer fee applies.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• Transfers due to our cancellation of your original course are free of charge.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Illness and Absence</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• No refunds are available for non-attendance due to sickness or ill health.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">How Refunds Are Issued</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• Refunds are returned via the original payment method:</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• Booked online or by phone - Refund to the card used.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• Paid in person at Stoke Lodge - Please bring your payment card to the office.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Online Course Access</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• Learners are responsible for ensuring they have suitable internet access and equipment before the course begins.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">• No refunds will be issued due to technical issues with a learner’s own internet or computer.</span></span></span></p>