Climate, Catastrophism and Philosophy



Overview

Are we headed for 'thermogeddon'?

In an era of climate 'emergencies' and controversies surrounding 'global warming' and climate 'denialism', join us to explore the relationship of philosophy to environmentalism, and problems in the field of philosophy of climate science.

We will begin by:

  • introducing ideas and debates in environmental ethics, including deep ecology, ecofeminism, ecospirituality, social ecology and animism.
  • studying the relations between traditional moral theories and environmentalism, including virtue ethics, deontology and consequentialism.
  • exploring the history and philosophy of 'catastrophism.'

These initial considerations will enable us to contextualise and approach the claims and assumptions embedded in 'Anthropogenic Catastrophic Climate Change' (ACCC). In order to understand and evaluate ACCC – and consider its philosophical significance – we will explore the emergence and nature of the philosophy of climate science.

Our investigations will include problems about:

  • definitions of 'climate' and 'climate change'
  • climate data and climate modelling
  • the 'hockey stick' and 'climategate' controversies
  • politics and economics, including sustainability and climate change
  • climate 'contrarianism', scepticism and dissent

This course is part of the Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) programme.

Programme details

Seminars

Participants are taught in small seminar groups of up to 10 students, and receive two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor.

Sunday

Seminar 1: The nature, concerns and key features of environmental ethics. Multiple links between philosophy and environmentalism. Some key examples of traditions and approaches in environmental philosophy.

Seminar 2: Anthropocentrism and ethics. Introduction to deep ecology and ecofeminism. Various traditions from social ecology to ecospirituality.

Monday

Seminar 3: The relationship of traditional moral theories to environmental issues. Introduction to consequentialism and some aspects of virtue ethics. Understanding deontological ethics in relation to environmentalism.

Seminar 4: What is 'catastrophism'? Various disciplinary approaches to catastrophism and 'apocalypticism'. The relations between catastrophism, environmentalism and philosophy.

Tuesday

Seminar 5: What is 'Anthropogenic Catastrophic Climate Change' (ACCC)? Reflections on previous considerations, leading to the introduction of philosophy of climate science. Understanding definitions of 'climate system,' 'climate' and 'climate change.'

Seminar 6: Types and sources of climate data. Station-based data sets, data assimilation and 'reanalysis.' The significance of paleoclimate reconstructions.

Wednesday

Seminar 7: Philosophical interest in climate modeling. The types of climate model. The construction and use of climate models.

Seminar 8: The evaluation of climate models. Analysis of anthropogenic climate change. The detection of climate change.

Thursday

Seminar 9: Future climate change projections. The ethics of anthropogenic climate change. Questions about global and intergenerational justice.

Seminar 10: Specific climate controversies and their epistemological significance. Analysis of the 'hockey stick' and 'climategate' debates. The 'hiatus' controversy.

Friday

Seminar 11: Climate 'contrarianism.' Distinguishing between scepticism, dissent and 'denialism.' Controversies about climate policy prescriptions, including 'net zero.'

Seminar 12: What is 'scientific consensus'? Summary of key approaches and problems in philosophy of climate science. Current trends.

Programme timetable

The daily timetable will normally be as follows:

Saturday

14.00–16.30 - Registration

16.30–17.00 - Orientation meeting

17.00–17.30 - Classroom orientation for tutor and students

17.30–18.00 - Drinks reception

18.00–20.00 - Welcome dinner

Sunday – Friday

09.00–10.30 - Seminar

10.30–11.00 - Tea/coffee break

11.00–12.30 - Seminar

12.30–13.30 - Lunch

13.30–18.00 - Afternoons are free for tutorials, individual study, course-related field trips or exploring the many places of interest in and around Oxford.

18.00–19.00 - Dinner (there is a formal gala dinner every Friday to close each week of the programme).

A range of optional social events will be offered throughout the summer school. These are likely to include: a quiz night, visit to historic pubs in Oxford, visit to Christ Church for Evensong and after-dinner talks and discussions.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee Option 1 (Single en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) £2050.00
Fee Option 2 (Double en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) 1 person £2100.00
Fee Option 3 (Twin en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) per person £1680.00
Fee Option 4 (No Accommodation - inc. Tuition, Lunch & Dinner) £1250.00

Funding

Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify, more information can be found here.

Unfortunately we do not offer any specific scholarships or funding opportunities for OUSSA programme, but you can visit our departmental funding webpage, where you may be able to find a particular source of funding that matches your requirements alongside meeting the funding criteria.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Tuition and meals are included in the programme fee, with both residential and non-residential options available.

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances; however, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking
  • If submitting an application form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date

Cancellations and Refunds

1. Cancellation by you

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or by post to OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:

  • Cancellation within 14 days of online enrolment / payment of fees – full refund of all fees paid.
  • Cancellations received up to and including 30 April 2025 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; all other fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2025 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2025 - no refunds will be made.

2. Cancellation by us

Where there is good reason, OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course by giving you notice in writing at any time before the course is due to start. In these cases, we will endeavour to offer a transfer to another available course if practical and acceptable to you, subject to payment or refund of any difference in the course fees. Alternatively, we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred. The status of this course will be reviewed on 1 May 2025. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, anyone affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2025, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.

OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course at short notice in exceptional circumstances that would prevent the course from being delivered e.g. tutor illness. In these rare instances, we will notify you as soon as possible and arrange a transfer to another available Oxford Experience course. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

3. Travel insurance 

The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check cancellation policies carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Tutor

Dr Martin Ovens

Tutor

Born and educated in Wales, Martin Ovens (Wolfson College, Oxford) has taught courses in philosophy and religious studies since 1997, first for Cardiff University and then for OUDCE from 2005. He is the Editor of Culture and Dialogue, an international, peer reviewed journal of cross-cultural philosophy (published by Brill). His research is based on interest in the relationship between skepsis and creativity. Among his publications are papers on comparative philosophy, scepticism and aesthetics. Current projects include work on Owen Barfield and political philosophy.

Course aims

This course aims to introduce, explore and assess relations between philosophy, environmentalism and climate science.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/presentations
  • Seminars/group discussions
  • Student presentations

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be expected to understand:

  • the philosophical significance of 'Anthropogenic Catastrophic Climate Change '
  • essential ideas, problems and arguments in environmental ethics
  • relations between traditional moral theories and environmentalism
  • key approaches and problems in the philosophy of climate science
  • the philosophical significance of climate contrarianism

Assessment methods

Participants are required to undertake preparatory reading and complete a pre-course assignment of 1,500 words. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing your ideas and is mandatory. The pre-course assignment is typically due in the first week of June.

You will be assessed during the summer school by either a 1,000 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment. Participants will attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.

OUSSA is an accredited summer school taught at undergraduate level; each one-week course carries 10 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) Level 4. Learn more about CATS points.

Certificate of Higher Education

Credit earned from OUSSA can be transferred towards our flexible Certificate of Higher Education.

Study when and where it suits you by gaining credit from short courses, including short online courses, weekly classes and OUSSA, and build your way to an Oxford University award. This part-time undergraduate programme lasts between two and four years depending on how intensively you want to study.  

Find out more about the Certificate of Higher Education.

Application

Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.

Single accommodation, double room for 1 person and non-residential places may be booked online by clicking on the “Book now” button in the “Course details” box at the top right-hand side of the course page.

Those requiring twin, double or accessible accommodation should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked online. Please send the completed enrolment form to the email address below. Both the PDF and Word option of the form below are editable, so you can complete them online before saving and sending to us as an email attachment. You do not need to print and scan them. (Please use these forms only if you are making a twin or double booking for two people.)

Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.

Those who do not wish to register online or who have specific requirements (eg an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, UK.

Accommodation

More information about our accommodation can be found here.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support