sPhil is dedicated to the close, detailed study of the world's most foundational texts. Our courses guide you through the great works, fostering a profound, nuanced, and lasting understanding.
Why
We dream of a way of studying the great texts that is intense, life-long and free. To be able to rigorously engage with concepts and ideas to their utmost depth without sacrificing either scholarly quality or creativity. To be able to pursue and hone one's philosophical or literary craft and enjoyment in a way that supports and enriches everyday living. And finally to be thinking deeply about contents of art, religion and philosophy purely for their own sake. Our courses are intended to be guides along this path of study, inspiration and reflection. Whether you are a novice or a professional, we welcome anyone who has a burning desire to examine, philosophically, the wonders of being.
Deepen Your Thinking: Explore The Great Texts In-Depth
Dive into the world's greatest ideas with our comprehensive online courses. Go beyond introductory lectures and engage with challenging concepts in a supportive learning environment.
Choose Your Learning Style: Digital, with Seminars, or 1-on-1 Dialogue
We offer a variety of learning formats to suit your ambition. Take courses entirely on-demand with digital content at your own pace, participate in live interactive seminars with fellow peers, or get personalized guidance with private sessions from our instructors.
Focus on Text: Meet the Greatest Minds of History
Gain insights from renowned philosophers, poets and authors by meeting them on their own ground, namely, their text! Our courses center around primary texts supplemented by secondary literature. We think it is important that you spend time with the authors's own text and become equipped to make up your own mind regarding their art or ideas.
The Great Conversation: Critical Thinking Through Classic Texts
They who do not understand the past cannot comprehend the future. Philosophy, poetry, plays, and historical texts form a great conversation, which is the ultimate discovery of futures. Learn to think critically, analyze enduring arguments from Plato to Milton, and form your own well-reasoned opinions—skills invaluable in all aspects of life.
Join the community
What do our students say about our courses and instructors?
Stay up-to-date with our newsletter
Sign up to receive updates on new courses, seminars, and other events.
Discover & Reflect
Truth hides in the text. We teach you how to see it.
Look through the eyes of millennia
Engage in discourses that stretch across empires, generations, and time.
Meet the instructors
Here you can find brief information about our teacher's interests and qualifications.
Tried it, not for you, changed your mind?
If you find that a particular course was not for you, we offer full refunds up until 7-days after purchase.
Encyclopaedia
The sPhil Encyclopaedia is a free and open resource built on open-source principles. Anyone may contribute by editing or expanding articles through open pull requests. It is organized into systems of authors or schools of thought, presenting their concepts in a structured and evolving form. The project is also a place to exercise scholarly writing, test interpretations, and engage in rigorous and spirited debate with others who care about the life of the great ideas. Each particular system is further subdivided into modular Guides and Reference.
Visit the index to view all articles in alphabetical order.
Interested in contributing, learning about our methodology, or running sPhil on your own machine? Visit our Contributing section for more information.
