17th and 18th Century Philosophy (PHIL 318)
Reading and Essay Schedule
Required Texts
• Garrett Thomson, Bacon to Kant: An Introduction to Modern Philosophy, 2nd ed. (Waveland Press, 2002). [ISBN: 1-57766-201-6]
• René Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, 3rd ed., translated by Donald A. Cress (Hackett, 1993), 72 pp. [ISBN: (0-87220-192-9)/(978-0-87220-192-7)]
• John Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding, abridged and edited, with an introduction, by Kenneth P. Winkler (Hackett, 1996), 416 pp. [ISBN: (0-87220-216-X)/(978-0-87220-216-0)]
• Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Discourse On Metaphysics and Other Essays, translated by Daniel Garber and Roger Ariew (Hackett, 1991), 96 pp. [ISBN: (0-87220-132-5)/(978-0-87220-132-3)]
• George Berkeley, Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous, edited by Robert M. Adams (Hackett, 1979), 137 pp. [ISBN: (0-915144-61-1)/(978-0-915144-61-7)]
• David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 2nd ed., edited by Eric Steinberg (Hackett, 1993), 151 pp. [ISBN: (0-87220-229-1)/(978-0-87220-229-0)]
• Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, translated by Werner Pluhar, abridged by Eric Watkins (Hackett, 1996), 229 pp. [ISBN: 0-87220-448-0)]
• Selections (either distributed in class or else available with links, below) from the works of Bacon, Hobbes, Spinoza, and Kant.
Wed, Feb 3
Inventing Modernity
Descartes to Leibniz
Fri, Feb 5
Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy
Reading: Thomson, 14-20; René Descartes, “Meditation One”
Essay: In his First Meditation, Descartes raises several reasons for doubting some of his beliefs. What are these reasons? Which beliefs are affected? And what is he trying to accomplish with this project? [rubric]
Additional Material
• Video: Three Minute Descartes [video]
• Video: Mark Steel on Descartes’ Doubt (6m 18s) [video] More Steel on Descartes: [1/3 (9m 24s)] [2/3 (9m 39s)] [3/3 (10m 8s)]
• Audio: Barry Stroud on Skepticism (Philosophy Bites)(12m 51s) [audio]
• Video: Descartes and the Matrix (1m 42s) [video]
Mon, Feb 8
Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy
Reading: Thomson, 20-25; René Descartes, “Meditation Two”
Essay: In the Second Meditation, Descartes conducts an experiment with a piece of wax. What does he conclude from this experiment? [rubric]
Additional Material
• Audio: A. C. Grayling on Descartes’ Cogito (Philosophy Bites)(12m 50s) [audio]
Wed, Feb 10
Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy
Reading: Thomson, 26-35; René Descartes, “Meditation Three”
Essay: In the Third Meditation, Descartes offers two proofs of God’s existence. Describe and evaluate the first proof. [rubric]
Fri, Feb 12
Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy
Reading: Thomson, 35-36; René Descartes, “Meditation Four”
Essay: Descartes’ discusses the problem of human error in the Fourth Meditation. Why does he stop to do this, and how does he resolve the problem? [rubric]
Mon, Feb 15
Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy
Reading: Thomson, 37-47; René Descartes, “Meditation Five”
Essay: Descartes claims, in his Fifth Meditation, that his ideas of material objects are innate. Why does he think this? What do you think? [rubric]
Additional Material
Wed, Feb 17
Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy
Reading: Thomson, 47-51; René Descartes, “Meditation Six”
Essay: Explain the “New Problem of Error” introduced in the Sixth Meditation, and evaluate Descartes’ solution. How is it related to the problem of error discussed in the Fourth Meditation? [rubric]
Fri, Feb 19
Spinoza, Ethics: God and Substance
Reading: Thomson, 52-64; Spinoza, Ethics, Bk. I
Essay: In your own words, summarize Spinoza’s understanding of God. What motivates this view? [rubric]
Additional Material
• Video: Anthony Quinton on Spinoza and Leibniz [video]
• Texts: Jonathan Bennett’s texts from Spinoza: .pdf files of Ethics and Treatise on Theology and Politics [links]
Mon, Feb 22
Spinoza, Ethics: Mind and Body
Reading: Thomson, 65-73; Spinoza, Ethics, Bk. II
Essay: Compare the mind-body relationship as explained by Descartes and by Spinoza. [rubric]
Additional Material
• Video: Nigel Warburton on Spinoza [video]
Wed, Feb 24
Spinoza, Ethics: Knowledge
Reading: Thomson, 74-79
Essay: Briefly discuss Spinoza’s view of final causation. Be sure to cite your supporting passages from the Ethics, pt. 1 (appendix and elsewhere). [rubric]
Fri, Feb 26
Leibniz: Truth and Reason
Reading: Thomson, 80-91; Leibniz, Discourse on Metaphysics
Essay: Reflect on Leibniz’s Discourse on Metaphysics (§§8-9) and Monadology (§33), and then explain what Leibniz is claiming here. [rubric]
• Texts: Jonathan Bennett’s texts from Leibniz: .pdf files of many texts, including his Discourse on Metaphysics, Principles of Nature and Grace, and Monadology [links]
Mon, Mar 1
Leibniz: Monads
Reading: Thomson, 92-100; Leibniz, Monadology
Essay: Describe Leibniz’s view of causation, as based on a close reading of Discourse (§14) and Monadology (§7). [rubric]
Wed, Mar 3
Leibniz: God and Space
Reading: Thomson, 101-08
Essay: Re-state Leibniz’s argument for God’s existence, as given in the Monadology (§§38-45). [rubric]
Fri, Mar 5
First Exam
Hobbes to Hume
Mon, Mar 8
Bacon: The New Science
Reading: Thomson, 113-25; Bacon, “Aphorisms” from the Novum Organum (1620) [text]
Essay: What is an “idol of the mind” (as Bacon uses the term)? By way of examples, explain Bacon’s account of the idols of the mind. [rubric]
Wed, Mar 10
Hobbes: Science and Nature
Reading: Thomson, 126-36; Hobbes, Leviathan, introduction and Pt. 1, chs. 1 & 6 [text]
Essay: Hobbes draws an analogy in the opening paragraph of his Leviathan. Explain this analogy, and then evaluate it. Do you find it compelling? Problematic? [rubric]
• Texts: Jonathan Bennett’s texts from Hobbes: .pdf files from Leviathan [links]
Fri, Mar 12
Hobbes: Psychology and Politics
Reading: Thomson, 137-43; Hobbes, Leviathan, Pt. I, chs. 11, 13-14; Pt. II, chs. 17-18, 21 [text]
Essay: Briefly outline Hobbes’ argument as to why we should abandon the natural state and relinquish some of our power to a sovereign. Are you convinced? [rubric]
Mon, Mar 15
Locke: Innate Ideas
Reading: Thomson, 144-59; Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Bk. I, chs. 1-2.
Essay: What sort of ideas does Descartes believe that we have innately, and why does he think this? Do Locke’s arguments give us good reason to reject Descartes’ claims? [rubric]
Additional Material
• Video: Three Minute Locke [video]
• Texts: Jonathan Bennett’s texts from Locke: .pdf files of Essay Concerning Human Understanding and Second Treatise of Government [links]
Wed, Mar 17
Locke: Ideas and Qualities
Reading: Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Bk. II, ch. 1-9.
Essay: How does Locke define and distinguish ideas and qualities? Be sure to examine a few examples of each. [rubric]
Fri, Mar 19
Locke: Simple and Complex Ideas
Reading: Thomson, 160-69; Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Bk. II, chs. 10-14.
Essay: What does Locke claim about simple and complex ideas? Examples? [rubric]
Mon, Mar 22
Locke: Words and Things
Reading: Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Bk. III, chs. 1-3.
Essay: How does Locke define real and nominal essence? Examples? [rubric]
Wed, Mar 24
Locke: Knowledge ...
Reading: Thomson, 170-81; Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Bk. IV, chs. 9-10.
Essay: What does it mean to know something, according to Locke? What sorts of things can we know? [rubric]
Fri, Mar 26
Locke: ... and its Limits
Reading: Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Bk. IV, ch. 11.
Essay: Explain the difference that Locke draws between knowledge of myself, of God, and of physical objects. [rubric]
—————Spring Break!—————
Mon, Apr 5
Berkeley: Immaterialism
Reading: Thomson, 182-97; George Berkeley, Three Dialogues, “First Dialogue”
Essay: What does Berkeley mean when he claims that matter does not exist? Be sure to illustrate your discussion with some examples. [rubric]
Additional Material
• Website: Whitehall Museum House (Berkeley’s residence in Rhode Island) [web]
• Texts: Jonathan Bennett’s texts from Berkeley: .pdf files of Principles of Human Knowledge, Three Dialogues, and Alciphron [links]
Wed, Apr 7
Berkeley: God
Reading: Thomson, 198-207; George Berkeley, Three Dialogues, “Second Dialogue”
Essay: Describe and evaluate Berkeley’s argument for God’s existence and nature. How does this god differ from the evil demon in Descartes’s “First Meditation”? [rubric]
Fri, Apr 9
Berkeley: Common Sense
Reading: George Berkeley, Three Dialogues, “Third Dialogue”
Essay: Philonous claims that immaterialism is closer to common sense than materialism. What do you think? [rubric]
Mon, Apr 12
Hume: Ideas and Impressions
Reading: Thomson, 208-17; David Hume, Inquiry, §2-3
Essay: Compare Locke and Hume on their accounts of the origin and nature of sensible ideas. [rubric]
Additional Material
• Video: Three Minute Hume [video]
• Video: BBC special on Hume [video]
• Video: John Passmore on Hume (Brian Magee interview) [video]
• Texts: Jonathan Bennett’s texts from Hume: .pdf files of the Treatise of Human Nature, Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, and Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion [links]
Wed, Apr 14
Hume: Relations of Ideas and Matters of Fact
Reading: Thomson, 218-28; David Hume, Inquiry, §4
Essay: Explain Hume’s account of causation, and why he thinks it is illusory. [rubric]
Fri, Apr 16
Hume: Naturalism
Reading: Thomson, 218-28; David Hume, Inquiry, §5
Essay: What is naturalism, and in what sense does this characterize Hume’s thought? [Not sure about what naturalism is? This article might help.] [rubric]
Mon, Apr 19
Hume: Necessary Connection
Reading: Thomson, 229-41; David Hume, Inquiry, §7
Essay: What does Hume mean by ‘power’ or ‘necessary connection’? Whence does this idea arise? [rubric]
Wed, Apr 21
Hume: Miracles
Reading: David Hume, Inquiry, §10
Essay: Explain and evaluate Hume’s argument for rejecting miraculous claims. [rubric]
Fri, Apr 23
Second Exam
Kant
Mon, Apr 26
Kant: On Enlightenment
Reading: Kant, “What is Enlightenment?” (1784) [text]
Essay: What does Kant mean by ‘enlightenment’? Are you and those around you enlightened? If not, what must happen for enlightenment to occur? [rubric]
Additional Material
• Text: Kant’s Writings [web]
• Text: Kant’s Life [web]
• Video: Three Minute Kant [video]
• Video: Geoffrey Warnock on Kant (Brian Magee interview) [video]
Wed, Apr 28
Kant: On Morality
Reading: Kant, Foundations for a Metaphysics of Morals (1785) [text]
Essay: Choose one of Kant’s four illustrations of applying the first formulation of the categorical imperative and explain how the duty follows from the application. [rubric]
Additional Material
• Text: Robert Johnson, “Kant’s Moral Philosophy” [SEP]
• Video: Three Minute Kant [video]
• Texts: Jonathan Bennett’s texts from Kant: .pdf files of several texts, including parts of the Critique of Pure Reason, Prolegomena to any Future Metaphysics, Groundwork for the Metaphysic of Morality, and Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science [links]
Fri, Apr 30
Kant: The Revolutionary
Reading: Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, Preface A and B, Introduction.
Essay: What is revolutionary about Kant’s “Copernican revolution”? Why is a critique of pure reason needed, and what is this critique supposed to accomplish? [rubric]
Additional Material
• Text: Matt McCormick, “Immanuel Kant: Metaphysics” [IEP]
• Text: Paul Guyer, “Immanuel Kant: Metaphysics” [Routledge]
• Audio: Adrian Moore explains Kant’s Metaphysics (Philosophy Bites)(19m 58s) [audio]
• Video: Kant and the Matrix (1m 56s) [video]
Mon, May 3
Kant: On Space and Time
Reading: Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, Transcendental Aesthetic (B33-58).
Essay: In your own words, explain why Kant believes that space and time must be a priori intuitions. [rubric]
Additional Material
Wed, May 5
Kant: On Concepts
Reading: Kant, Critique of Pure Reason (B74-76, 89-95, 102-9).
Essay: Briefly describe and evaluate Kant’s metaphysical deduction of the categories. Are you convinced? [rubric]
Additional Material
Fri, May 7
Kant: The Transcendental Deduction
Reading: Kant, Critique of Pure Reason (B116-69).
Essay: What does Kant mean by ‘transcendental unity of apperception’, and what role does this unity play in the Transcendental Deduction? [rubric]
Additional Material
Mon, May 10
Kant: The Analytic of Principles
Reading: Kant, Critique of Pure Reason (B198-256).
Essay: Briefly describe Kant’s “Second Analogy”. Does this answer Hume’s worries about causation? [rubric]
Additional Material
Wed, May 12
Kant: The Paralogisms
Reading: Kant, Critique of Pure Reason (B274-79, 350-55, 362-66, 406-413).
Essay: What is the self, according to Kant? How does this account of the self compare with Descartes’? [rubric]
Additional Material
Fri, May 14
Kant: The Antinomies
Reading: Kant, Critique of Pure Reason (B432-37, 448-79).
Essay: Choose any of the four antinomies. Explain why Kant believes that it is an antinomy. Do you find both arguments compelling? [rubric]
Additional Material
Finals Week
Third Exam
Manchester College // Registrar // Department of Religion and Philosophy // Last updated: 21 Apr 2010