Is there an answer to the question of life, the Universe and everything? If the answer is 42, then what is the question? In this course, we will look seriously at what it means to question everything. From scientific attempts to provide a “theory of everything” to comedic responses to the inexplicability of “it all”. In doing so, we must adopt a view from outside, what some have called a “martian eye view” of life here on Earth. It is fitting then, that our guides will be Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Fenchurch, and Marvin the Paranoid Android. Through them, we will come to see the familiar as strange and the strange as familiar. To put it another way, the aim is to turn “ha ha” moments into “aha” moments. The course will appeal to anyone seeking a greater understanding of the philosophy of science, Douglas Adams’ masterpiece, and/or the nature of humour. No existing philosophical knowledge (or babel fish) required.  

Dr Alex Carter 

Residential: £350 Non-residential: £245