The topic in 2026-2027 is “Meaning and Moral Motivation in a Secular Age.”
This course consists of a series of fortnightly meetings throughout the academic year, where students develop their ideas under the guidance of a core team of four course lecturers and additional guest lecturers. The first objective of the course is to investigate the complex role of religion in secular societies through an in-depth study of the philosophy of Charles Taylor. Studying Taylor serves a second objective: to explore in depth and detail what it means to live in a secular age, particularly in relation to questions about meaning and moral motivation. The course contains introductory sessions, expert lectures, round table discussions, reading sessions, writing assignments, feedback sessions, presentation sessions, peer-feedback, and interactive meetings in which teachers, students, and experts exchange ideas and arguments.
For more information, see detailed course description.