Philosophy for everyday life - Is there anything more important than pleasure? – The ideas of Epicurus
This course is available for enrolment.
Course code: SJM3
In this workshop we will explore the ideas of the Ancient Greek Philosopher-Epicurus. We will discuss what he meant by hedonism and why he thought pleasure should be the guide to living your life.
- when
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From 22 Nov 2025
Sat 10:00-15:00 One day- Date
- 22 Nov 2025
- Time
- 10:00 to 15:00
- Tutor
- Jim Mepham
Stoke Lodge Centre, Shirehampton Road
Stoke Bishop
Bristol
BS9 1BN
- who
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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 the ideas of the Ancient Greek Philosopher-Epicurus We will discuss what he meant by hedonism and why he thought pleasure should be the guide to living your life.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">We will seek to apply his ideas to modern day questions like What would Epicurus’s attitude be towards watching the news, smoking pot and the environmental movement?</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 ideas and principles of Epicurus and evaluate both the strengths of his philosophy and the challenges to it.</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 explore some dilemmas within his ideas about happiness and pleasure and discuss whether hedonism is a philosophy that is coherent.</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>
Work set between sessions?
<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>
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<p><strong><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></strong></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>
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