The Wider Horizons course

Wider Horizons courses have been run by the SMN since 1975 to provide young people with a space to engage with the big questions of existence in an open-minded and liberal atmosphere.  The 2010 course will be run on Thursday evenings in October and November as a series of discussion groups, with short presentations to stimulate ongoing discussion from the course leader Dr. Oliver Robinson, and from guest speakers.

What the course will cover

Each week will take a 'big question' as the topic of discussion, and discuss ways of answering it from a variety of perspectives. Evenings will involve a short presentation, small-group discussions and participative exercises.

Evenings may also involve discussing an extract from an article or book, or may involve a contemplative exercise such as a meditation. Each evening we will move to the pub to keep the discussion going after the session has concluded.

The 7 weeks will focus on the following questions:

  1. How can we be sure what is real and true?
  2. Are science and spirituality compatible?
  3. Who am I and what is the self?
  4. What is mind and is it in the brain? (guest speaker Dr RUPERT SHELDRAKE)
  5. Does God exist and do we need religion? 
  6. Do we have free will?
  7. What's the right and virtuous thing to do?

The course is based on the idea there are many paths available to help answer such questions, and that scientific, philosophical and mystical thinkers of the past and present all have made valid contributions that are worth considering and discussing.

Costs and Timing

The course costs just £40 per person for all 7 evenings, 6pm to 8.30pm, on Thursdays between 7th October and 18th November. It is open to anyone under the age of 25. If you are between 25 and 30 then you are welcome to apply too.

Students get a £7 discount, making it £33 for the whole course.

The course leader

Dr Oliver Robinson is a senior lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich and works part-time for the Scientific and Medical Network. He has published on topics including transformative crisis in individual lives, identity development, and the links between social and individual development in the modern era. His interests traverse science, philosophy and spirituality and he is passionate about delivering inspiring educational experiences for young people. He is co-editor of the book A New Renaissance: Transforming Science, Spirit and Society published by Floris Books in November of this year. 

The venue for the course

The course will be held in the Gradidge Room at The Art Workers Guild, in central Bloomsbury, London.

Address:
6 Queen Square
Bloomsbury, London 
WC1N 3AT
Venue Tel: 020 7278 3009

Applying for Place on the Course

THE COURSE IS NOW FULL. If you would like to register your interest in attending next year, please fill out this form.

We will inform you whether your application has been successful in due course. Your place will then be confirmed upon receipt of the course fee.

For more information, contact Dr Oliver Robinson on o.c.robinson@gre.ac.uk