Philosophy is not only about famous thinkers like Plato and Aristotle. Contemporary philosophy also explores some of the most interesting and unusual questions raised by modern science: could time travel be possible? Can you change the past? What would happen if you met your younger self? What makes you the same person over time?
We’ll use time travel and science fiction as a gateway to exploring some of the deepest questions about reality, time, identity, free will, and the nature of the universe. At its core, the course bridges popular science and questions of human meaning. It aims to satisfy a curiosity many people already carry, while giving them the intellectual tools to think about these questions critically and creatively.
Drawing on both philosophy and physics, we will examine famous time-travel paradoxes, investigate competing theories of time, and ask what time travel can teach us about ourselves and the world we inhabit. Along the way, we will engage with thought experiments, contemporary debates, and classic works of science fiction.
No prior background in philosophy or science is required. Only your curiosity! Whether you are a science fiction fan or writer, a lifelong learner, a student considering philosophy, or simply someone who enjoys asking big questions, this course will introduce you to powerful ideas in an accessible and engaging way.
By the end, you will not only have a deeper understanding of time travel, but also of some of the most fundamental questions about human existence. For aspiring writers, the course also provides a foundation for creating science fiction that is informed by contemporary philosophical thought about time, causation, personal identity, and the structure of reality.
What You Will Learn
- How philosophers and scientists think about time travel, including questions about the nature of time, personal identity, causation, and the possibility of changing the past.
- How science and philosophy work together to address questions about reality that cannot be answered by empirical evidence alone.
- How to engage more thoughtfully with science fiction, understanding the philosophical and scientific ideas that underlie many popular stories, films, and television shows.
- Writers and aspiring writers will also gain a foundation for creating science fiction that is informed by contemporary thinking about time, causation, and personal identity.
Course Details
- Course Dates: TBA, Fall 2026
- Format: Fully online, self-directed. Video lectures, assigned readings, interviews with expert philosophers, self-assessment and reflection exercises and optional discussions with other learners.
- Effort: 6 modules at approximately 4 hours each: 24 hours (plus optional reading)
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $250 plus GST
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Who Is This For
This course is designed for intellectually curious learners from a wide range of backgrounds. It is particularly well suited to science fiction enthusiasts, writers and aspiring writers, high school and university students, retirees, and lifelong learners who enjoy exploring big questions about time, reality, and human nature.
No prior background in philosophy, physics, or science fiction is required. The course is intended for a general audience and will be especially appealing to those who are curious about the ideas behind popular science fiction stories and want to better understand contemporary debates about time, identity, and the nature of the universe.
Meet Your Instructor
Fatema Amijee is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia. Her research spans metaphysics, the history of philosophy, feminist philosophy, and the philosophy of religion. She has written on a wide range of topics, including the nature of inquiry, explanation, time travel and feminism.
Combining a strong foundation in science, expertise in the history of philosophy, and an active research program in contemporary metaphysics, she is able to bring together scientific, historical, and philosophical perspectives on questions about time, reality, causation, and personal identity. Her goal is to make these complex ideas accessible and engaging for learners from all backgrounds, using science fiction as a gateway to some of the most enduring questions.