17th&18th c. Philosophy

Philosophy 312, Spring 2013 M W F 11:30–12:25 in ED 123

http://www.fecundity.com/courses

Professor: P.D. Magnus

E-mail: pmagnus<at>albany.edu

Office: HU-258B Office hours: M 2:40–3:30, Tu 11:00–noon, and by appointment

TA: Chris Andreski E-mail: andrcr11<at>gmail.com

Office: HU-255 Office hours: W 12:45–1:45, F 10:15–11:15, and by appointment

Overview: The period in philosophy from Descartes to Kant, from the mid-17th to the late 18th century, was dominated by the system of ideas — the assumption that the only objects of direct perception are ideas occurring in our own minds. We’ll chart the rise and fall of the system of ideas through the philosophies of René Descartes, John Locke, George Berkeley, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant.

Requirements:

The paper will be 6–8 pages on an assigned topic. A rough draft will be due during Week 10 (April 5). The paper will be returned to you with comments and the final draft will be due at the last class meeting (May 8). You should turn in the rough draft along with the final.

The draft will be marked with the grade it would have received if it were a final draft. If the paper is not improved, however, the final draft will not receive this grade! If you turn in the paper unmodified, you will get one letter grade less than the grade marked on the draft.

Class participation: Participation in class discussion is required. Exemplary participation will add to your grade, up to two-thirds of a letter grade. For example, a B could become an A–.

Course texts: The following books are available at the campus bookstore:

* Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy, translated by John Cottingham et al. ISBN 9780521558181

* Kant Critique of Pure Reason abridged, translated by Werner Pluhar ISBN 9780872204485

In addition, readings from Locke, Berkeley, and Hume will available on the course e-res page.

I strongly encourage you to bring texts to class. For printing, you might consider using Rapid Copy. They will print readings double-sided for just 4 1/2 cents per page.

in Business Administration B26, (518) 442-3245, http://www.albany.edu/rapidcopy

Academic honesty: Students are encouraged to discuss issues from the course with each other and with others outside of class. However, they are responsible for their own ideas. Papers should include citations to any works cited or consulted, as well as acknowledgments of helpful interactions.

Cheating will not be tolerated.

Late papers: The paper will be considered late if it is not ready to hand in at the beginning of class on the day it is due. Each day late will result in a loss of one letter grade.

Absences: Students who will need to miss class for religious observance, away games, or for other scheduled reasons should discuss these issues with the professor at the beginning of the term. If an emergency results in absence, the student should contact the professor as soon as possible.

Schedule

We are studying five philosophers this term, each for about two or three. The following is a provisional schedule.

Week 1 jan 23, 35 Introduction [what to read] René Descartes Meditation 1 pages 3–15, recommended: 63–67 Week 2 jan 28, 30, feb 1 Meditation 2 pages 16–23, rec’d: 68–77 Meditation 3 pages 24–36, rec’d: 78–89 Week 3 feb 4, 6, 8 Meditations 4–5 pages 37–49, rec’d: 90–106 Meditation 6 pages 50–62, rec’d: 107–115 John Locke Week 4 feb 11, 13, 15 Innate ideas pages 1–10 Personal identity pages 10–21 Week 5 feb 18, 20 ,22 General terms pages 21–25 FIRST EXAM, FEB 22 George Berkeley Week 6 feb 25, 27, mar 1 Preface and Introduction pages 1–10 Idealism Part I ¶1–33, pages 11–18 Week 7 mar 4, 6 Objections answered ¶34–66, pages 18–27 Advantages ¶85–122, pages 31–41 — no class mar 8 — Week 8 mar 11, 13, 15 Writing the paper - assignment and discussion Of spirits ¶133–156, pages 44–50 — spring break mar 11–15 — David Hume Week 9 mar 25, 27, 29 Hume on ideas §§II–III, pages 7–10 Sceptical worries §IV, §V pt 1, pages 10–20 Week 10 apr 1, 3, 5 Causal power §VII, pages 25–34 Freedom §VIII, pages 34–45 DRAFT PAPER DUE APRIL 5 Week 11 apr 8, 10, 12 Types of scepticism §XII, pages 66–73 SECOND EXAM, APRIL 12 Immanuel Kant Week 12 apr 15, 17, 19 Preface and Introduction pages 1–24 The Transcendental Aesthetic read pages 25–38 Week 13 apr 2, 24, 26 The Deduction pages 39–65 Week 14 apr 29, may 1, 3 To be announced? Week 15 may 6, 8 Conclusion FINAL PAPER DUE MAY 8 Final Exam May 10, 3:30–5:30