Welcome to Pathways

Launched in August 1997, the Pathways web site is the leading internet distance learning site for philosophy courses online. To date, the Pathways distance learning programs have attracted students from over 50 countries.

The team of Pathways mentors is led by Dr Geoffrey Klempner, Director of Studies of the International Society for Philosophers. [CV] The first Pathways students joined in October 1995. We are dedicated to the principles of open learning and philosophy for all irrespective of nationality, race or creed.

Pathways is based around range of six core philosophy programs. The programs are designed to be intellectually challenging while remaining accessible to students who have no prior knowledge of philosophy. Our aim is to illuminate and provoke, to challenge preconceived ideas, and make you see things differently.

Each Pathways program is written as an original contribution to philosophy, aimed at capturing the interest of students of all ranges of ability from absolute beginners to graduates. At whatever level you are able to engage with the study materials, you will find a lively and sympathetic response from your Pathways mentor.

Students can also take Associate and Fellowship awards offered by the International Society for Philosophers, or study with the University of London External Programme leading to the Diploma and BA (Hons) in Philosophy with tutorial support from Pathways.

The Pathways programs are superb value for money. For details of fees and application procedures, see the Fees page.

For a quick overview and comparison of all the Pathways online courses see Pathways to Philosophy at a glance.



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Tutorial support

When you start a program you will be assigned a Pathways mentor who will remain with you for the duration of the course. Your mentor will comment in detail on each piece of work that you produce. The response time for assignments sent in currently averages between a week and ten days. Your mentor will also be on hand to discuss any questions or problems relating to your studies.

The idea of a philosophical mentor is as old as philosophy itself. Socrates showed how learning could be an active process of questioning and dialogue, rather than a passive process of absorbing information. However, there is a difference between the rough and tumble of a group discussion and the special relationship between student and mentor. One-on-one dialogue makes a different kind of learning possible.

The emphasis on student-mentor dialogue represents the core of the Pathways approach to distance learning. Your mentor is not there to grade you or assess you but to guide you through the process of learning to be your own philosophical critic.


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Quality assurance

From its launch in 1995, Pathways has been intended for people who want to study philosophy simply for the love of it, to enrich their lives and broaden their horizons, not to gain extra qualifications or titles.

However, we recognize that there are are significant number of students who want to do a university philosophy degree or diploma. That is why we have introduced tutorial support for the University of London External Programme. London University is one of the top-rated universities in the United Kingdom for Philosophy, as well as being internationally recognized for the quality of its philosophical teaching and research.

Meanwhile, we have been implementing our own stringent system of internal quality control. Course materials, methods of course delivery, tutor feedback and student outcomes for the Pathways programs, as well as for the Associate and Fellowship awards are subject to continuous monitoring. We can say with confidence that you will receive the very best quality support tuition, whichever option you choose.


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Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for the Pathways or Associate programs, other than an interest in learning about philosophy in the Western tradition. Students enrolling for the Associate program are invited — though not required — to send a short piece of writing with their application, such as an essay or review of a philosophical book they have liked.

Students applying for the Fellowship program who are not taking the Pathways or Associate route should provide verifiable evidence of previous philosophical study.

Detailed entry requirements for the Diploma and BA in Philosophy via the University of London External Programme can be found in the Prospectus for the External Programme.

Distance is no barrier. While students continue to join from all over the UK, an increasing number now come from overseas. To date, we have enrolled students from Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Eire, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, UK, USA and Venezuela!








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Philosophy in schools

Following the success of pilot schemes at Haileybury College, Hertford UK and Catherine McAuley High, Sydney Australia, we are looking for schools who would be interested in helping to develop our Introduction to Philosophy program The Possible World Machine in a format suitable for face-to-face teaching in the classroom.

Teachers will receive full support from the International Society for Philosophers. Students will be able to take a written test at the end of their course, which will be assessed by the Society. This is a superb opportunity for school students to explore the world of philosophy.

An e-book consisting of fifteen science fiction stories with philosophical introductions taken from The Possible World Machine is now freely available for use in the classroom as a teaching aid. The e-book can be found on the download page. Teachers and schools interested in using the complete program with support from the International Society for Philosophers should contact Geoffrey Klempner.


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What professors say about Pathways

"I believe Pathways will provide a route into degree-level work in philosophy which is both rigorous and exciting. Dr Klempner... has a real talent for communicating — whether it be information, enthusiasm, or core reasoning skills. I am confident that students following one of Dr Klempner's Pathways will receive an excellent, carefully structured, grounding in philosophy."

Peter Carruthers
Professor of Philosophy and Chair
Dept of Philosophy
University of Maryland

"I have been meaning to write to you about your Pathways in Philosophy programme and its involvement with the London External BA and Diploma courses. It was apparent to examiners (and to me as Chair of the Board of Examiners) that the level of performance reached by a number of students was particularly high. Loath to admit that students studying on their own could match or exceed those studying at Birkbeck (in the internal BA), I believe I am right in attributing a good part of the success of these students to your programme. For that, and for your general support of the programme, I congratulate you. I do hope the whole of the Pathways programme is going well and will continue to thrive."

Samuel Guttenplan
Course Director
University of London External Programme
BA Philosophy and Diploma in Philosophy