Modern Philosophy

(2.5-8 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Taught at a host institution. Can I be certain that there is a world outside me, or am I confined to my own mind alone? What can I know about the world, if there is one? And if it exists knowably, how can I live with the people within it? Are we naturally selfish and dangerous? Or do we have a compassionate and gentle nature brutalised by a corrupt society? These are some of the questions to be discussed in this introduction to early modern philosophy of knowledge and social and political philosophy. The way of approaching these questions will be through a critical and historical treatment of writings. When taught at London Heythrop: PH 312 History of Modern Philosophy at Heythrop College. To enable students to think critically about central philosophical ideas and methods of early modern thinkers. A selection of thinkers will be covered from the following list: Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Leibniz, Hume and Kant. When taught in Twickenham, England, this course covers the era of Early Modern Philosophy. It begins with the decline of scholasticism and the emergence of fresh scientific methods of discoveries. Descartes is generally considered to be the key figure in this transition. We will also study some of Descartes' immediate successors (Hobbes, Spinoza, Wollstonecraft, Hume and Kant), and discuss how they still affect how we think today. The aim of this module is not just to make you acquainted with important thinkers from the history of modern philosophy, but also to enable you to actively respond to the ideas expressed. At the end of this module you will be able • to give a coherent, clear and accurate account of the key ideas in the history of early modern philosophy; • to understand the ethical implications of any account of the history of philosophy; • to write a commentary on a text from this period, consulting other sources where necessary and with proper reference; • relate some of the ideas discussed to contemporary issues and phenomena. • be familiar with the most important philosophical works of Descartes • understand the importance of methodology in the work of Descartes • understand the importance of Descartes as the key transitional figure in the emergence of modern philosophy • evaluate the implications of Descartes¿ work for religion and for science • be able to identify underlying issues in different kinds of debate • be sensitive and critical in interpreting texts from this period • be able to use specialised philosophical terminology • be creative in considering new ideas and ways of thinking • construct cogent arguments in evaluating the ideas considered This module has 20 credits at level 4 (i.e. first year). The module is core for all Philosophy students and optional for others. There are no pre-requisites. Tutor: Hannah Marije Altorf Room: D109 E-mail: Hannah.Marije.Altorf@stmarys.ac.uk Tel.: 020 8240 2351/4852 (int.) When taught at HKU Hong Kong: This course is an introduction to the thought of the major figures of Western philosophy of the 17th and 18th centuries. We will read major works from among Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and some lesser known pieces by some women writing in the era. In particular, we will focus on the topics of self, world, and God. What is the self? What makes me the same person over time? What is the nature of reality, and what can we know about it? What is the nature of God, and can we know whether he exists? We will explore how these important thinkers thought about these questions, and other important philosophical topics such as free will, causation, science, and skepticism.