The
Philosophical
Society
 

Activities of the Philosophical Society

While many of the activities are run by the Society itself, we also recommend philosophy courses run by the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education (OUDCE), which are offered in person and online.

  • Philosophy weekends and day schools are held in Rewley House at Oxford throughout the year, at which two or more invited speakers of distinction give lectures on a selected topic. During the weekend, ample opportunity is given for questions and discussion. Mealtimes and coffee breaks provide further opportunities to discuss topics and to get to know other members of the Society. Please see the OUDCE Weekend/Day Philosophy Courses page for details. Audio recordings of past events are available to members from the OUDCE Events Archive.

  • A Members' Weekend is held once a year, in person at Oxford and via Zoom, at which the speakers are Society members. In addition, the Society hosts International Events and Away Days at external venues for presentations and discussions. All Society events are available via Zoom as well.

  • Although Society events are open to everyone, most of those attending are members who provide an enthusiastic core for the success of the weekends.

  • An Annual Dinner, coinciding with our Members' Weekend, includes awards being handed out to Chadwick Prize, Boethius Prize, and Lyceum Prize winners. This is a highlight of our social calendar.

  • We produce an annual journal. We call it the Review and it contains many contributions from members. Past issues of the Review are available to members as PDF documents from the Review Archive.

  • There is also an active Philsoc Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OxfordPhilSoc/, which often contains information on philosophical activities beyond the scope of the Society, that may be of interest to members.

  • The Society encourages the formation of local groups for those living some distance from Oxford and these are proving very popular.

  • The Friday Discussion Group meets once a month at Rewley House at Oxford and via Zoom to discuss various philosophical topics. All members are invited to attend.

  • The Department for Continuing Education at Oxford also offers online philosophy courses and one week Summer Schools.

If you enjoy philosophy, then whether you can easily get to Oxford or not, join the society and you will be assured of an active and participatory philosophical community.

 

ADVANTAGES OF MEMBERSHIP

  • Members receive advance notice of future philosophy courses and lectures at the University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education.
  • Members have access to audio recording of past weekend courses going back to 1987, thanks to the supportive arrangement with OUDCE for our Society's members. See the OUDCE Weekend/Day Philosophy Courses page for a list.
  • Members receive a free copy of the Philosophical Society Review which is published annually in December, and to which they are invited to contribute.
  • Members get a discount of 10% on all Weekend and Day Philosophy courses at OUDCE, thanks to the supportive arrangement with OUDCE for our Society's members.
  • Members who are suffering financial hardship may request financial assistance to help with Society events and/or Society Membership fees.
  • Members receive a monthly email newsletter, keeping them up-to-date on all Society events, courses, prizes, deadlines, and publications.
  • Members can participate in and attend the Friday Group Discussions once a month, as well as the philosophical Discussion Forum on the website.
  • Members are entitled to borrow books from the Philosophy section of Rewley House Library for a period of up to six weeks, thanks to the supportive arrangement with OUDCE for our Society's members. Librarians have an up-to-date list of paid-up members (members' names and towns of residence only) and will request some form of identification. For hours of opening, see the Rewley House Library web site.
  • Members are entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting and are able to influence the selection of topics and speakers for future weekends.
  • In addition to these member benefits, the Society runs essay competitions. The Talbot Prize, awarded every term, is for students enrolled in any OUDCE weekly class or on-line course in philosophy. The Chadwick Prize is an open essay competition for our members, OUDCE philosophy students, and any participants in groups associated with the Society. The Philosophical Society funds all awards.