Themes in Philosophy 1

🔥 Lottery: Aug 27–Sept 2 • Full registration: Aug 28
Dates: September 11 - October 30, 2025
Meets: Th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
 Location: Online
Cost:  $75.00

There are still openings remaining at this time.

Date Day Time
09/11/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM
09/25/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM
10/02/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM
10/09/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM
10/16/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM
10/30/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM

OR

Please note: This course program requires membership in a 2025-2026 OLLI at MSU Membership

Description

In this course, we will explain and discuss fascinating themes in philosophy. Topics to be explored include aesthetics (philosophy of art and beauty), wisdom, philosophy of language, philosophy of sports and fitness, philosophy of happiness and philosophy of humor. What is art, and what is good art? What is wisdom, and how can we become wiser? Are we born with any understanding of how language works, and how many grammatical rules are legitimate? Why do so many people love sports, and are they good for us? What is happiness, and how can we experience it? And finally, what makes anything funny? This program will be recorded for later viewing.

Course Takeaways

  • To learn to think deeply and rationally about things that matter.
  • To question our assumptions about daily experiences.
  • To have fun!

Scholarship

Apply for a needs-based scholarship to take this offering.

Fee:  $75.00

Online

This is a real-time (live) online class that meets at the specified day(s)/time(s) listed.

We will send you a reminder email with login instructions one business day before the program start date. If there are additional sessions, we will send reminders the morning of those sessions.

David Smith

David E. Smith grew up in the world of fundamentalist religion. He gradually moved away from that worldview as an adult and became a religious progressive/skeptic. After earning an M.A. in philosophy of religion, he received a second M.A. and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Formerly a full-time philosophy and religious studies faculty member at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA, he now teaches for the National Osher Resource Center and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington. He offers independent seminars and personal consultations in comparative religion and philosophy. He has published widely in these areas. His mission is to empower people to think well for themselves about things that matter.
Date Day Time Location
09/11/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM Online
09/25/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM Online
10/02/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM Online
10/09/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM Online
10/16/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM Online
10/30/2025Thursday11 AM to 1 PM Online