Course Description

The early modern period in European philosophy is characterized by a connection between attempts to respond to the skeptical challenge to the possibility of human knowledge, and attempts to develop and sustain a new scientific method for studying the natural world. In this course, our discussions will explore epistemological and metaphysical questions and debates arising from these efforts. We will focus our attention upon work by Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley and Hume, seeking to identify connections between their writing as well as understanding the reasons for their disagreements.

The course will adopt an historical approach. We will identify what some of the main epistemological and metaphysical problems of the early modern period are, and consider whether or not different philosophers’ accounts of, and responses to, these problems are defensible. At the same time, we will also explore why these problems arose as they did, paying attention to their historical context.

Readings:

You will need to bring the current course text to each class. The core text for this class is:

Roger Ariew & Eric Watkins (eds.), Modern Philosophy: An Anthology of Primary Sources, (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1998). ISBN-13: 978-0872204409. Suggested retail price: $38.95.

This text is available at Shakespeare & Co., at 69^th and Lexington. Hunter book vouchers are accepted there. Their website is: www.shakeandco.com

Additional reading and suggestions for secondary source material will be made available to you via Blackboard, and/or electronic/Library reserve. Please let me know if you’re unfamiliar with these resources, or if you have any trouble locating class materials. You may need a password to access electronic reserve or the Library reserve section. This is usually the number of the course and the instructor’s surname, e.g.: bamford215