Modern Philosophy (Phil. 393)
W: 2:00-4:50 (Psych 240)
Instructor:
Dr. Darrell Arnold
Office: Psych 165
Tel. 2620
Office Hours:
Monday thru Friday 9:45 - 10:45
Course Description: The sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries witnessed fundamental changes in the political and religious institutions of Western Europe as well as the basic philosophical ideologies. Accompanying the development of the political and economic infrastructure were the rise of the scientific method and a radical shift in the predominant political and religious ideology. Philosophy, which was largely thought to be the “handmaid of theology” in the Middle Ages, began to unfetter itself from theological considerations. In science and epistemology, Francis Bacon and René Descartes were especially instrumental in overturning reliance on the theories of Aristotle and in proposing new methodologies for achieving knowledge, perhaps fittingly subsumed under Bacon’s motto to “let not authority be your truth, but truth be your authority.” The experimental method that Bacon pleaded for was being put into practice by thinkers like Galileo. In political philosophy, too, the long reliance on the views of Aristotle was giving way to social contract theory, developed in divergent ways by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. After long religious wars, there was also a period of pleading for greater religious tolerance and among more radical thinkers for abandoning religion altogether and trusting in reason. These various developments will be presented in this course and the main views of the predominant thinkers from the Renaissance through Hume will be presented.
Objectives:
The students will learn the fundamental philosophical developments from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century in the areas of metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics and political philosophy. In epistemology, they will become acquainted with the main contrasts between the rationalists and the empiricists, which Kant attempts to unify. In ethics and political philosophy, they will become acquainted with the contrasts between the views of the various contract theorists. They should gain a sensitivity to the way in which these philosophical developments reflect general cultural changes at the time.
Course work: Regular reading is expected, as well as class discussion. There will be an academic journal of 10-15 pages addressing study questions, and a final exam, largely essay style. In addition, a class presentation of approximately 15 minutes is required. The jouranls are to be typewritten. (A page is defined as 300 words.) They are to deal with study qeustions provided through the course of the semester at class or other approved topics.
Grading: Exam: 35%. Journal: 35%. Presentation: 25%. Class participation: 5%. Academic dishonesty will result in penalties and may result in failing the course.
Texts and course materials: W.T. Jones, A History of Western Philosophy, III. Hobbes to Hume. Supplementary (online) texts and audio data will used as needed.
Students with Disabilities: This university abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no students shall be denied the benefits of an education solely by reason of a handicap. If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the instructor to make arrangements. In order to receive accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office, which is located in the Psychology Building, Room 232.
The course readings and subject outline (subject to change at the instructors discretion)
PDF documents for the course
Free Adobe Reader
From the Middele Ages to Modernity: Religion and Politics
The Transition to Modern Science
Since this course is a small seminar, further PDFs will not be used.
Audio links on these philosophers and the cultural background