What Others Say

A personal observation: this course is quite comprehensive and I would have liked more time to do the reading, research and writing required. Could fortnightly units be an option? Or drawn out into 2 courses? I feel Alistair\\'s critique is invaluable.

A personal observation: this course is quite comprehensive and I would have liked more time to do the reading, research and writing required. Could fortnightly units be an option? Or drawn out into 2 courses? I feel Alistair\\'s critique is invaluable.

I found this a very interesting and informative course, excellently presented with clear explanations, pictures, quotes and numerous links. I particularly appreciated Alistair\\'s commentary, advice and referrals - this was very helpful. I would recommend it to anybody who is interested in this subject (and that should be everybody?)

I found this a very interesting and informative course, excellently presented with clear explanations, pictures, quotes and numerous links. I particularly appreciated Alistair\\'s commentary, advice and referrals - this was very helpful. I would recommend it to anybody who is interested in this subject (and that should be everybody?)

The introduction to philosophy online course is really brilliant! How about a level 2 course or perhaps an introduction to eastern philosophy? Well done to everyone involved in the course.

The introduction to philosophy online course is really brilliant! How about a level 2 course or perhaps an introduction to eastern philosophy? Well done to everyone involved in the course.

The reason I joined the U3A was to increase my knowledge and to see if I wanted to tackle a degree in Philosophy. I found the subject I was interested in and an excellent course leader who opened my mind even further. Through the U3A and Dr. Alistar Pringle I am now confident to tackle a degree. Roger Mika

The reason I joined the U3A was to increase my knowledge and to see if I wanted to tackle a degree in Philosophy. I found the subject I was interested in and an excellent course leader who opened my mind even further. Through the U3A and Dr. Alistar Pringle I am now confident to tackle a degree. Roger Mika

Now that I've been through the Unit 8: Philosophy of Religion and gained much from it feel I must put a note on the Discussion Board. This note is to thank you for handling such an incredibly difficult topic with such consummate skill, succinctness and clarity. Had lots of thoughts provoked, fresh insights illumined and prejudices challenged all without provocation and for this student at least, hold that this is a brilliant result. By-the-by: because of all the good feelings your writing / course design / pedagogy has inspired, will be signing up for another U3A course!

Now that I've been through the Unit 8: Philosophy of Religion and gained much from it feel I must put a note on the Discussion Board. This note is to thank you for handling such an incredibly difficult topic with such consummate skill, succinctness and clarity. Had lots of thoughts provoked, fresh insights illumined and prejudices challenged all without provocation and for this student at least, hold that this is a brilliant result. By-the-by: because of all the good feelings your writing / course design / pedagogy has inspired, will be signing up for another U3A course!

The course has certainly met my objectives and I have enjoyed the course tremendously. The tutor was unbiased and appeared to have good knowledge on the subject.

The course has certainly met my objectives and I have enjoyed the course tremendously. The tutor was unbiased and appeared to have good knowledge on the subject.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Its logical structure enabled us to progress through the salient periods of thought, and challenged us to question our own beliefs with reason rather than opinions. It has renewed my interest in philosophy and I intend to pursue those topics that titillated me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Its logical structure enabled us to progress through the salient periods of thought, and challenged us to question our own beliefs with reason rather than opinions. It has renewed my interest in philosophy and I intend to pursue those topics that titillated me.

It gave what it said "an introduction." It gave more. The links have set me on a trail that now continues and will involve more reading.

It gave what it said "an introduction." It gave more. The links have set me on a trail that now continues and will involve more reading.

I deliberately chose an untutored course and not to enter into any discussions. I talked about the issues with family and friends, being able to study at my own pace was particularly helpful. The Internet links were easy to use and gave me as much depth and breadth as I wished to follow. Thanks.

I deliberately chose an untutored course and not to enter into any discussions. I talked about the issues with family and friends, being able to study at my own pace was particularly helpful. The Internet links were easy to use and gave me as much depth and breadth as I wished to follow. Thanks.

I felt the course gave a clear overview of the influence of the philosophy underpinning the development of the Western world to the present day. This introduction has provided me the motivation to follow up on a wider study of the subject.

I felt the course gave a clear overview of the influence of the philosophy underpinning the development of the Western world to the present day. This introduction has provided me the motivation to follow up on a wider study of the subject.

I can not leave this course without expressing my appreciation to Alistair Pringle who’s ability to steer our group through many discussion points and at all times keeping the debates on course. It furthermore is a credit to the group as a whole to have kept debate to a high standard and when disagreements occurred they were gracefully acknowledged and respected. Thank you Anneke, Marion, Trevor for giving me such challenging posers at times. All I can say I have learnt a lot about things philosophical. Lots of encouragement to now follow up on many leads and hopefully gain more wisdom.

I can not leave this course without expressing my appreciation to Alistair Pringle who’s ability to steer our group through many discussion points and at all times keeping the debates on course. It furthermore is a credit to the group as a whole to have kept debate to a high standard and when disagreements occurred they were gracefully acknowledged and respected. Thank you Anneke, Marion, Trevor for giving me such challenging posers at times. All I can say I have learnt a lot about things philosophical. Lots of encouragement to now follow up on many leads and hopefully gain more wisdom.

I just want to say thank you for leading us with your gentle prodding and erudite posts throughout the course. I have been one of the less communicative but I have been following the debates with great interest. I have often wished I had had more time to read all the links suggested but will get to some of them later. Meanwhile the course has been just what I hoped it would be and I feel much more informed than before and ready to pursue areas of interest to me. Incidentally, I have just been away camping in the bush with my family a long way from any other humans or their influences and I realised it is in places like that, with a desert sky stretching for ever above you and things natural all around you, that I can really appreciate my place in this universe and the things that are important to me. I find the city leaves me jangled without time to discuss the big things or just to sit and contemplate. Anyway, with recharged batteries, I will finish the course in my own time!

I just want to say thank you for leading us with your gentle prodding and erudite posts throughout the course. I have been one of the less communicative but I have been following the debates with great interest. I have often wished I had had more time to read all the links suggested but will get to some of them later. Meanwhile the course has been just what I hoped it would be and I feel much more informed than before and ready to pursue areas of interest to me. Incidentally, I have just been away camping in the bush with my family a long way from any other humans or their influences and I realised it is in places like that, with a desert sky stretching for ever above you and things natural all around you, that I can really appreciate my place in this universe and the things that are important to me. I find the city leaves me jangled without time to discuss the big things or just to sit and contemplate. Anyway, with recharged batteries, I will finish the course in my own time!

Many thanks Alistair for your input, warmth, sense of humour and generosity of spirit...I have enjoyed the course immensely and look forward to returning next year to take up some further learning...probably in course on Religions. May life continue to be an inspiration to you and you to others.

Many thanks Alistair for your input, warmth, sense of humour and generosity of spirit...I have enjoyed the course immensely and look forward to returning next year to take up some further learning...probably in course on Religions. May life continue to be an inspiration to you and you to others.

At commencement of the course I had only a limited understanding of the subject and after working through the eight units with guidance of the Course Leader and input from other participants, I learned many ideas and principals new to me.

At commencement of the course I had only a limited understanding of the subject and after working through the eight units with guidance of the Course Leader and input from other participants, I learned many ideas and principals new to me.

I enjoyed the course immensely and found at the conclusion I really missed the stimulation engendered in having to discipline myself to get the reading and thinking done in a time frame. And I have missed the opportunity to discuss thoughts and express ideas. So often we get into a rut of talking about mundane things in retirement - this was a new lease on life.

I enjoyed the course immensely and found at the conclusion I really missed the stimulation engendered in having to discipline myself to get the reading and thinking done in a time frame. And I have missed the opportunity to discuss thoughts and express ideas. So often we get into a rut of talking about mundane things in retirement - this was a new lease on life.