Philosophy 101: How to Think Big

By: Kevin Corcoran

Narrated by: Kevin Corcoran

Ask civilization’s most provocative questions. Meet its greatest minds. Learn from one of philosophy’s best professors. If you could travel back in time and take one college course now, this would be it.

With a goal of expanding the minds of lifelong learners, celebrated philosophy professor Kevin Corcoran engages thinkers from Descartes to David Foster Wallace to help you discover truth and tackle the big questions of our existence.

Through this compelling 15-lecture course, you’ll develop critical thinking skills that will bring clarity and focus to your daily life. Prof. Corcoran begins with Aristotle’s maxim that “philosophy begins in wonder.”

After discussing the nature of wonder and delight as the fertile soil within which philosophy is born and grows, you’ll explore a broad range of perspectives on quandaries that have captivated philosophers for centuries. You’ll ask questions including “What does it mean to be moral?”; “Do we exist, or are we living in the matrix?”; and “If God exists, why is there suffering in the world?”

Prof. Corcoran, named one America’s best professors by Princeton Review, will take you on a journey that is sure to stretch your intellectual muscles. A stellar teacher, he will inspire you to revisit life’s most profound questions.

This course is part of the Learn25 collection.

©2020 Now You Know Media, Inc. (P)2020 Now You Know Media

Critic reviews

“Kevin Corcoran enjoys a fine reputation as a perceptive and well-published scholar in areas of metaphysics and the philosophy of mind. He is also a stellar teacher, able to make challenging material accessible without cutting corners, and to deliver inventive and entertaining lectures without compromising intellectual content.” (Lee Hardy, Professor of Philosophy, Calvin College)

“Dr. Kevin Corcoran is an outstanding philosopher with particular expertise in Brain and Consciousness Studies. He is well qualified to lead audio lecture listeners through the mysterious and fascinating world of the relationship between our physical brains and the wide array of experiences that we understand as ‘Consciousness.’ I heartily endorse not only his audio lectures, but all of Dr. Corcoran’s work in the field of Neuroscience and Philosophy of Mind." (Ron Scheller, Sr. Principal Systems Analyst in the healthcare software industry)

“Kevin Corcoran presents problems about consciousness in a clear, systematic and stimulating way. His cutting edge research in the philosophy of mind has sparked many lively discussions among his students and colleagues. I recommend Kevin Corcoran to any one who wants to learn more about the nature of the mind and its relation to reality.” (Maria Venieri, Assoc. Professor of Philosophy, University of Crete)

My Favorite Philosophy Course

This is a great and practical course on philosophy. Corcoran makes philosophy approachable and shows how it applies to people's every day lives. Highly recommend this one - it will make you think.

Clever and engaging bite-size philosophy lessons

These thought-provoking and fun philosophy lessons are great brain exercise and a perfect way to fit contemplation of the big questions into your day. I love Corcoran's witty and wise observations--such as when he compares Socrates to tv detective Columbo! Great course.

Built on Spiteful Embers

Where to begin? I was given this audiobook for a free and honest review. We will both regret it. TRIGGER ALERT: The author mentions Donald Trump 13 times, then I stopped counting. I don’t like the guy either, but why? Really, why? After that many crimes are committed. First is the overall smugness and condescension. He gleefully knocks down all previous philosophers and holds them up for mockery, again, often using Trump in an endless series of terrible analogies. Second, patronizing – he uses phrases like, “I need you to follow me here.” I did, sir, and was waiting patiently far down the road for your next argument. Thirdly, he rails against straw dog arguments then sets up his own about God. I paraphrase: “God is the ever benevolent, omnipotent being.” By insisting God is universally one thing monolithic thing he himself is defining, creates the straw dog. Then he knocks it down, of course. The unforgivable crime is laziness. He flings around Descartes, Mackie, Plantinga with authority then couldn’t be bothered to fact check, using phrases like, “In the 70’s, I think” or, “In the 50’s, I believe.” Example: He sights the TV detective Columbo, as a 30-minute show from the 70’s, he thinks. 10 seconds on Google could and SHOULD have fixes these glaring errors. A professor should have higher standards than this. The philosophical arguments are sound, but lazily applied and scattered. He also seems strangely obsessed with Trump. I fear this man’s profession was built on a pile of spiteful embers.