Intellectual Humility: Theory

Faced with difficult questions people often tend to dismiss and marginalize dissent. Political and moral disagreements can be incredibly polarizing, and sometimes even dangerous. And whether it’s Christian fundamentalism, Islamic extremism, or militant atheism, religious dialogue remains tinted by arrogance, dogma, and ignorance. The world needs more people who are can see both sides of their beliefs and are willing to consider the possibility that they might be mistaken. The world needs more intellectual humility.

But what is intellectual humility, anyway? And why do people seem so drawn toward intellectual arrogance? In this course we try to define intellectual humility and intellectual virtues in general, and ask how we know who is humble. All lectures are delivered by leading specialists, and the course is organised around a number of interesting readings and practical assignments which will help you address issues related to humility in your daily life.

Coursera allows you to preview the first module for free. You can choose this option when you enrol. Learners can apply for Financial Aid directly with Coursera to assist with the cost of accessing the full course and gaining a certificate for successfully completing the course. 

In this course, you will learn the answers to:

• What is intellectual humility?
• What is an intellectual virtue?
• How do we know who is intellectually humble? 

This course is a great choice for anyone with an interest in philosophy, psychology and intellectual virtues. 

Introductory: No previous knowledge required