Philosophy 329L: Early Modern Philosophy: Descartes to Kant Fall 2019 Unique numbers: 41005, 41010 MW 11:30-1, WAG 302
This course is an introduction to early modern philosophy. The objectives of the class are to identify and analyze arguments in philosophical texts of the early modern period, and to become familiar with central themes and problems. Topics include causation, substance, and the possibility of knowledge. The relationship of philosophical theories to contemporary science will be an ongoing theme.
Professor: Katherine Dunlop Email: kdunlop[at]utexas.edu Office: WAG 410B Office telephone number: (512) 232-8467 Office Hours: Wednesday 2:00 – 3:30, and by appointment (Please note that I do not permit concealed carry of weapons in my office.)
TA: Meg Viers Email: megviers[at]gmail.com
Required texts are available for purchase at the UT Co-Op. If you obtain them from another source, make sure to get the correct edition/translation.
Rene Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy. Cambridge U.P., 1996. Baruch Spinoza, Ethics, Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect, Letters. Hackett Pub. Co., 1992. David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Hackett Publishing Co., 1993. David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. Hackett Publishing Co., 1998. Immanuel Kant, Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics. Cambridge U.P., 1997.
Additional required readings will be available on the course Canvas site.
A reminder about academic honesty. UT’s Honor Code is: “The core values of the University are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect towards peers and community.” In the academic context, honesty means taking credit only for work that is your own. Consult the professor or TA if you are not certain how to acknowledge sources you use.
Students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities.
Grading. The components of the course will be weighted as follows. These weightings are defaults and may be adjusted in individual cases on the basis of instructors’ judgment (e.g. to reflect significant improvement).
First Paper (due October 2): 20% First Exam (October 28): 20% Second Paper (due November 20): 25% Second Exam (December 9): 25% Class participation: 5% Section attendance: 5%
Why coming to class matters for your grade. Staying informed: The outline of material included in this syllabus is provisional; the timing and selection of readings may change, and you must attend class to stay current with any changes. Papers: In the absence of documented extenuating circumstances, late papers will be penalized by 1/3 of a letter grade per day. E.g., a paper turned in 2 days late that would otherwise have received an “A” will be given a “B+”. Exams: Except in the case of documented illness or other emergency, it will not be possible to make up missed exams. Participation: You may demonstrate participation in office hours and through communication with instructors, but to earn full credit for participation, you must attend class regularly.
Schedule of Readings and Assignments. This is a provisional outline of material to be covered. The actual pace of the class and selection of material will be determined by students’ interest. It is important to attend class regularly to stay current on the readings!
Week 1, August 28: Introduction to Early Modern Philosophy and to Descartes’s Meditations. Reading: Descartes, Meditations (all).
Week 2, September 4: Descartes on Doubt and Certainty. Reading: Descartes, First Meditation.
Week 3, September 9 – 11 and Week 4, September 16 - 18: Descartes on the Self and God. Reading: We will still be discussing the First Meditation at the beginning of Week 3, but will move quickly to the Second and Third Meditations. First Paper Topics will be assigned by Friday, September 20.
Week 5, September 23 - 25: Descartes on the Foundations of Science. Reading: Descartes, Fourth and Fifth Meditations and Treatise on Light.
Week 6, September 30 – October 2: Introduction to Early Modern Empiricism. Reading: Boyle, On the Origin of Forms and Qualities (excerpts). First Paper Due Wednesday, October 2.
Week 7, October 7 - 9: Boyle on the Notion of Nature. Reading: Boyle, Free Enquiry into the Vulgarly Received Notion of Nature (excerpts).
Week 8, October 14 – 16: Descartes on the Human Being. Reading: Descartes, Sixth Meditation.
Week 9, October 21 - 23 and Week 10, October 28 - 30: Spinoza on Substance and God. Reading: Spinoza, Ethics, Book I. First Exam Monday, October 28.
Week 11, November 4 - 6: Spinoza on the Human Mind. Reading: Spinoza, Ethics, Book II. Second Paper Topics Assigned.
Week 12, November 11 - 13: Hume. Reading: For an introduction to Hume (Nov. 11), read Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section I (pp. 1 – 9) and “Letter from a Gentleman” (pp. 115 – 124). Then read Sections II and III (pp. 9 – 15) for Nov. 13.
Week 13, November 18 – 20: Hume’s Empiricism, with Special Reference to Causation. Reading: Hume, Enquiry, Sections II through VII (pp. 9 – 53). Second Paper Due Wednesday, November 20.
Week 14, November 25: Hume on Religion. Reading: Hume, Enquiry, Sections X and XI (pp. 72 – 102), and Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, excerpts.
Week 15, December 2 - 4: Kant’s Solution to Hume’s Problem. Reading: Prolegomena (Preface, pp. 5- 14; Preamble, §§1-3; §5; §§18-20; §§27-32).
Second Exam Monday, December 9, in class.