This course provides a historical survey of major philosophical developments in metaphysics and epistemology from roughly the 16th through the 18th century in Western Europe. We will read and discuss some of the works of major Early Modern philosophers, such as Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, and Hume (as well as Kant, time permitting), with special focus on their views about methodology, the fundamental nature of reality, the foundations and extent of knowledge, and natural philosophy. We will try as much as possible to place the texts and ideas of these thinkers in the intellectual and historical context in which they emerged.

The official prerequisites for this course are ENGL 120 (PHILO 215 is a writing intensive course) and one philosophy course (101/103/104/106/201). The course will be taught at a level of rigor and sophistication that assumes students have a background in the methods and problems of philosophy. I strongly recommend taking Intro to Logic & Critical Thinking, as well as Knowledge & Reality, before taking this course. Successfully completing PHILO 103 and PHILO 201 would be excellent preparation for this course. Students who are worried about their readiness for this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with me as soon as possible.

Required Textbook:

Roger Ariew & Eric Watkins (Eds.). (2009). Modern Philosophy: An Anthology of Primary Sources. Second Edition. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company. ISBN-10: 0-87220-978-4. ISBN-13: 978-0-87220-978-7.