Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy (Coursera)

Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy (Coursera)

Learn how to apply mathematical methods to philosophical problems and questions.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Since antiquity, philosophers have questioned the foundations--the foundations of the physical world, of our everyday experience, of our scientific knowledge, and of culture and society. In recent years, more and more young philosophers have become convinced that, in order to understand these foundations, and thus to make progress in philosophy, the use of mathematical methods is of crucial importance. This is what our course will be concerned with: mathematical philosophy, that is, philosophy done with the help of mathematical methods.
As we will try to show, one can analyze philosophical concepts much more clearly in mathematical terms, one can derive philosophical conclusions from philosophical assumptions by mathematical proof, and one can build mathematical models in which we can study philosophical problems.
So, as Leibniz would have said: even in philosophy, calculus. Let's calculate.

Note: This course is currently not available.

Related Courses

De-Mystifying Mindfulness (Coursera) Coursera
Leiden University

De-Mystifying Mindfulness (Coursera)

Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown exponentially in recent years. Rather than being seen as mystical practices from ancient Buddhism or esoteric philosophy, they are increasingly seen as technologies rooted in evidence from psychology and neuroscience. Mindfulness has become the basis for numerous therapeutic interventions, both as a treatment in healthcare and as a means of enhancing well-being and happiness. For millions around the world, mindfulness has become a life-style choice, enhancing and enriching everyday experience. Mindfulness is big business.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Calculus: Single Variable Part 4 - Applications (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Calculus: Single Variable Part 4 - Applications (Coursera)

Calculus is one of the grandest achievements of human thought, explaining everything from planetary orbits to the optimal size of a city to the periodicity of a heartbeat. This brisk course covers the core ideas of single-variable Calculus with emphases on conceptual understanding and applications. The course is ideal for students beginning in the engineering, physical, and social sciences.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Calculus: Single Variable Part 3 - Integration (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Calculus: Single Variable Part 3 - Integration (Coursera)

Calculus is one of the grandest achievements of human thought, explaining everything from planetary orbits to the optimal size of a city to the periodicity of a heartbeat. This brisk course covers the core ideas of single-variable Calculus with emphases on conceptual understanding and applications. The course is ideal for students beginning in the engineering, physical, and social sciences.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Image and video processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a stop at the hospital (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Image and video processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a stop at the hospital (Coursera)

In this course, you will learn the science behind how digital images and video are made, altered, stored, and used. We will look at the vast world of digital imaging, from how computers and digital cameras form images to how digital special effects are used in Hollywood movies to how the Mars Rover was able to send photographs across millions of miles of space.

Nov 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Alfabetização Midiática, Informacional e Diálogo Intercultural - UNESCO e UNICAMP (Coursera) Coursera
Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP

Alfabetização Midiática, Informacional e Diálogo Intercultural - UNESCO e UNICAMP (Coursera)

Este curso quer pensar junto com você sobre um fenômeno recente no Brasil, que é a presença de uma grande quantidade de informação via mundo digital. Vamos mostrar diferentes caminhos do que podemos fazer com essa quantidade incrível de midias e como participar da construção de conteúdo digital de maneira sóbria e segura.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Philosophy of Science (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Philosophy of Science (Coursera)

For the last four centuries, scientists have aimed to provide us with an understanding of the world around us. By all appearances, science has made substantial progress during this time. But is this progress real or illusory? And if it is real, how has this progress been made? This four-week course will consider these important questions.

Nov 30th 2026
4 Weeks
Ethical Issues in Data Science (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Ethical Issues in Data Science (Coursera)

Computing applications involving large amounts of data – the domain of data science – impact the lives of most people in the U.S. and the world. These impacts include recommendations made to us by internet-based systems, information that is available about us online, techniques that are used for security and surveillance, data that is used in health care, and many more. In many cases, they are affected by techniques in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Initiation à la théorie des distributions (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Initiation à la théorie des distributions (Coursera)

Une fonction discontinue peut-elle être solution d'une équation différentielle? Comment définir rigoureusement la masse de Dirac (une "fonction" d'intégrale un, nulle partout sauf en un point) et ses dérivées? Peut-on définir une notion de "dérivée d'ordre fractionnaire"? Cette initiation aux distributions répond à ces questions - et à bien d'autres.

Nov 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks