Philosophy: Understanding personal identity with Professor Bill Brewer

‘What am I?’ The question of personal identity has sparked fascinating debates throughout the history of philosophy. During this evening class with Professor Bill Brewer, head of philosophy at King’s College London, you’ll learn about three deeply influential accounts of personal identity, from Descartes and Locke to modern-day philosophers such as the ‘animalists’.

Philosophy is a discipline open to anyone – all you need is a bit of curiosity and an open mind. This introductory class is a unique opportunity to explore the philosophy of personal identity with one of the UK’s most inquiring minds, helping you to better understand what you are, or who you might be.

Over the course of the evening, you’ll develop your own capacity for philosophical thinking, as well as your ability to assess the virtues and vices of different ideas. By the end of the class, you’ll have a fresh perspective on the age-old question of ‘what we are’, enabling you to contribute to complex philosophical discussions with more confidence.

More about your teacher…

Bill Brewer is the head of the philosophy department at King’s College London, and the Susan Stebbing Professor of Philosophy. He studied maths and philosophy at the University of Oxford, and has previously held positions at Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Warwick University. Bill is the author of the books Perception and Reason and Perception and Its Objects, as well as many articles in philosophy journals and collections. He tweets @mbillbrewer.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website