History of Philosophy - Early Modern (210-3-20)

Instructors

Baron Wayne Reed
847/467-6370
Kresge 3-421

Meeting Info

Lutkin Hall: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

The transition from the Medieval to the Modern era in philosophy began, roughly, in the late 16th and early 17th centuries and ended, again roughly, in the late 18th century. New methods of acquiring knowledge, along with a radically different conception of the world, permanently transformed the philosophical enterprise and the broader culture. In this course we will examine the views of some of the most important modern philosophers—especially Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Bayle, Locke, Berkeley, and Hume—on the nature of God, causation, substance, mind, knowledge, and the material world. Additional readings will be drawn from Elizabeth, Galileo, Sor Juana, Masham, Boyle, Shepherd, Du Châtelet, and Cordova.

Learning Objectives

This course aims to meet the Weinberg learning objectives for both Historical Studies and Ethical and Evaluative Thinking as follows: Historical Studies: • Acquire knowledge of historical phenomena and become familiar with relevant primary sources: we will consider the central philosophical developments that followed in the wake of the Reformation and that accompanied, and made possible, the rise of modern science and the broader Enlightenment, with much of our attention given to reading primary sources in early modern philosophy. • Develop skills of historical analysis, including the means to evaluate sources: we will read these philosophical texts against the context of their intellectual, religious, and political backdrop, focusing on both their argumentative structure and their cultural impact. • Appreciate the impact of historical developments and acquire historical perspective on the present: we will trace the development of several schools of thought, as they interact with each other, with organized religion, and with the rise of early modern science, while also considering some points of comparison with intellectual traditions outside of early modern Europe. • Express the results of historical investigation effectively and persuasively and engage in debate with other narrators and interpreters of history, both past and present: we will hone the critical reading and writing skills needed to present the central points of view, along with their argumentative underpinnings, and we will understand how later philosophers (both in and outside of these traditions) have understood the central texts. Ethical and Evaluative Thinking: • Attain the conceptual tools needed to recognize and understand prescriptive issues, questions and claims, and to distinguish them from descriptive issues, questions, and claims: we will examine how evaluative claims (e.g., the perfection of God) were often used to underpin descriptive claims about the nature of the universe and the human mind. • Identify the values presupposed by an outlook or discourse: we will examine some of the central developments in early modern philosophy, as religious points of view gave rise to, as well as conflicted with, the emerging scientific perspective. • Recognize the complexity of many ethical issues and consider a variety of alternative resolutions and the reasons for holding them: we will look at a variety of ethical and evaluative issues (e.g., the problem of evil, the case for religious toleration, and the ethical foundations of personal identity), as well as their impact on broader philosophical systems. • Appreciate the insights available in one or more intellectual or cultural traditions: we will look at the intersections and divergences between various intellectual and cultural traditions, including the Reformation, the rise of early modern science, and the emergence of secularism in the Enlightenment; we will also look at how these developments appear from the point of view of some non-European philosophers. • Reflect upon one's own answers to evaluative questions, the presuppositions informing them, and the reasons supporting them: we will develop our own interpretations of, and responses to, the early modern philosophers we read, and we will develop our own views about the issues they consider, while uncovering the ways in which our presuppositions may differ from theirs. • Engage in respectful, rigorous, and constructive dialogue concerning evaluative issues and communicate thoughtfully and clearly about them: we will engage in a variety of individual and group activities that will foster a capacity for critical, charitable discussion, both verbally and in writing.

Class Materials (Required)

Class materials must be purchased.

Readings In Modern Philosophy, Vol. 1, edited by Roger Ariew and Eric Watkins. Hackett (2000). 978-0-87220-534-5
Readings In Modern Philosophy, Vol. 2, edited by Roger Ariew and Eric Watkins. Hackett (2000). 978-0-87220-532-1

Class Notes

Final exam - in class

Class Attributes

Ethics & Values Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-329: Fri 9:00AM - 9:50AM

DIS - TBA: TBA

DIS - University Library 3370: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM

DIS - University Library 3322: Wed 3:00PM - 3:50PM

DIS - Shepard Hall Classroom B05: Wed 4:00PM - 4:50PM

DIS - University Library 3622: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - University Library 3322: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM