Concepts considered include ideas from Socrates, Plato, Confucius, the Bible, the Upanishads, and Shantananda Saraswati, a modern exponent of the philosophy of unity or Advaita.

How do you know who you are? Or why you are? For millennia, philosophy has explored these issues to provide real answers that work today.

Our course of ten evening (or Saturday morning) sessions over ten weeks in timeless, practical philosophy provides an opportunity to consider philosophical ideas and questions of real relevance to all our lives.

The emphasis is on learning from the most powerful of teachers: our own experience. The only requirements are an interest in the subject and an open mind.

Open to everyone, the course does not offer certificates or other qualifications, but something arguably much more important – a new, fresh appreciation of the world about us, and the parts we play in it.

The course can be attended on any weekday evening or Saturday morning each week in Central London, fee £135 (students £45). Autumn term starts on 28th September. It is also offered at more than 50 locations around the UK (fees and dates vary).