Prepared by: John Culp (626) , ext. 5243, Duke 241 Office Hours: MW 2:00-4:00 PM Other times by appointment

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1 AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY Undergraduate Division of Religion and Philosophy School of Theology Course Instruction Plan Course: PHIL320, History of Modern Philosophy Prepared by: John Culp (626) , ext. 5243, Duke 241 Office Hours: MW 2:00-4:00 PM Other times by appointment 3 Units Spring 2008 Course Description: A study of the major thinkers and ideas in the history of Western philosophy from the fragmentation of the medieval consensus to the end of the 18 th century. Goal: Read the writings of these philosophers, become familiar with the philosophical context from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, and consider the significance of the philosophical thought of that time for contemporary issues. Objectives: 1. To know the thought and context of the major thinkers during this period of Western philosophy. 2. To be able to show how the thoughts of major philosophers have influenced later thinkers. 3. To apply ideas from these periods to contemporary situations. Requirements: 1. Reading in texts: a. Anthony Kenny, The Rise of Modern Philosophy, vol. 3 of A New History of Western Philosophy (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2006). These readings will introduce you to the philosopher, provide you with an awareness of the cultural context to which his/her philosophy responded, and provide you with a summary of the philosopher s important ideas. b. Forest Baird and Walter Kaufman, eds., Modern Philosophy, Fourth edition, vol. III of Philosophic Classics (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003). Reading texts from the major philosophers of this period exposes you to the actual writings of the philosophers so that you can understand in greater detail what they said and so 1

2 that you can evaluate the accuracy of Kenny. Your preparation for class discussion should enable you to: 1. identify quotes expressing the main point of the selection(assigned questions will help), 2. point out how the ideas build upon previous thought, 3. recognize how the ideas challenge previous thought, 4. relate the ideas to your own experiences. c. occasional additional readings announced in class. 2. Two exams on Mar. 3, and Apr. 28 for a total value of 200 points. 3. Fully documented research paper tracing the development of a philosophical concept in the thought of three philosophers who lived between the Renaissance and the end of the eighteenth century. a. format: 1. type-written with numbered pages pp. in length. 3. adequately documented for both evidence to support claims and acknowledgement of sources of ideas. b. components and due dates: 1. statement identifying the concept whose development will be traced and the three philosophers whose thought will be examined(10 pts.). Jan development of concept by first and second philosopher evaluated according to the understanding of the concept and description of the development of the concept from the first to the second philosopher(20 pts.). Apr final, completed copy(100 pts.) Apr. 18 c. evaluated for: 1. evidence of development in concept, 2. accuracy of presentation of philosophers covered, 3. clarity of expression, 4. grammatical and mechanical adequacy. Recommended: 1. Read chapters in Gaarder, Sophie s World, in conjunction with the philosopher being studied. These readings will give you an overview of each philosopher and provide you with a model of how to apply the philosopher s ideas to your own experiences. 2. Use the ecompanion site for History of Modern Philosophy for: a. Summaries of major ideas from each class session. b. Opportunities to carry on discussion after each class session. 1. comment on the application of an idea from class. 2. respond to some one else s comment points will be given for each comment or response up to a total of 20 points. 2

3 a. comments must be made within 2 class periods in order to receive credit. b. responses to someone else must be made within 1 week of the original comment in order to receive credit. Policies: 1. Grading: final grade is based on % of 330 total points with class participation used to decide borderline situations. 2. Attendance: a. When any absence occurs, the instructor must be informed before the absence. If possible, all work that will be missed must be turned in before the absence. b. Students are responsible for all assignments and materials given during their absence. c. Being tardy will equal 1/2 absence except in the case of being tardy for an exam. After 5 min. from the start of class, each minute late will result in a point/minute deduction from the final score on the exam. c. More than 3 unnecessary absences will result in a 10% reduction of total points for each day missed. 3. Paper assignments: a. Due at the beginning of the class period. Papers submitted after the start of the class period will be penalized 5 pts. per calendar day late. b. Must be grammatically acceptable, legible, and in the proper format. More than three grammatical errors on any paper will make it necessary to correct the assignment. 4. Students with disabilities: Any student in this course who has a disability that might prevent her/him from fully demonstrating his /her abilities should meet with an advisor in the Learning Enrichment Center as soon as possible to initiate disability verification and discuss accommodations that may be necessary to ensure her/his full participation and successful completion of course requirements. 3

4 Assignments: K=Anthony Kenny, The Rise of Modern Philosophy B=Forest Baird and Walter Kaufman, eds., Modern Philosophy P=readings on the Philosophy web page at under PHIL320 History of Modern Philosophy and readings. Jan. 11, F Erasmus through Galileo Assign: K Look for the ideas of specific thinkers, how those ideas relate to your ideas and ways of thinking about things, and pick one or two of the following questions and be ready to respond to them using the ideas of the thinkers you read about: 1. How are these thinkers more scientific than Medieval thinkers were? 2. Can humanism purify the church or does it really oppose the church? 3. Was Erasmus or Luther right about freedom of the will? 4. Should the Bible, the Church, or political power decide issues? 5. Is the loss of logic during this period important? 6. Should heretics be punished? 7. What lesson can be learned from the treatment of Bruno and Galieo? 14, M Bacon Assign: K 26-32; B Bring in one contemporary example of how Bacon s Idols are present in thinking today. 2. Find one aphorism that is important for understanding what Bacon thought was new about his approach to knowing. 16, W Descartes Assign: K 33-41; B If Descartes is the father of modern philosophy which of his ideas described in the reading do you continue today? How do you understand or express those ideas? According to the First Mediation, Which types of knowledge can be doubted? 18, F Descartes epistemology Assign: K ; B How does Descartes skepticism differ from Montaigne s? 2. How does the cogito provide an answer to Montaigne? 3. Second Meditation-What is known with certainty? What type of knowledge is the clearest and most distinct? 23, W Descartes on God Assign: K ; B Third Meditation- Why is knowing that God exists important? How do you know that God exists? 4

5 2. Fourth Meditation-Why do errors in knowledge occur? 3. Fifth Mediation-What is Descartes argument for God s existence? How does God s existence reassure Descartes about knowledge of physical realities? 5

6 25, F Descartes physics Assign: K Explain Descartes mechanical understanding of physical reality? 28, M Descartes on mind and soul Assign: K ; B 47-57, What does Descartes think he is as a person? 30, W Topic for paper is due. Hobbes and Cambridge Platonists Assign: K 41-49, ; B Compare the understanding of reality in Descartes, the Cambridge Platonist, and Hobbes. Feb. 1, F Hobbes Leviathan Assign: K ; B Whose assumption about human nature is more adequate, Hobbes or Suarez and Grotius? 2. Do you disagree in any way with Hobbes argument for an absolute sovereign? 4, M Pascal Assign: K 53-57, , ; B Which of the selections from Pascal s Pensees spoke to you the most? What is Pascal s relation to the development of ideas about ethics in early Modern philosophy? 6, W Spinoza s theology and metaphysics Assign: K 61-70, , , ; B What is the goal of Spinoza s thought about God? Do you agree with his understanding of God? 8, F Spinoza s epistemology and ethics Assign: K , , ; B (P11) and (Appendix). Which of Descartes philosophical problems did Spinoza solve by holding that there is only one substance and how did that solve Descartes problems? 11, M Locke s critique of innate ideas Assign: K 49-53, ; B Why is Locke opposed to innate ideas? Do you think that Descartes or Locke is right about innate ideas? 13, W Locke s epistemology Assign: K ; B Explain the connection between an object and knowledge of that object according to Locke. What are the advantages of Locke s explanation of knowledge in comparison to Descartes? 6

7 18, M Locke s political philosophyassign: K ; B In what ways are Locke and Hobbes different, similar? Who is right? 20, W Locke s metaphysics of substance and personal identity Assign: K ; ; B Does substance exist or is it an idea? What difference does the existence of substance as a reality or as a name make for personal identity? 22, F Malebranche Assign: K 58-61, Did Malebranche avoid the problems in Descartes philosophy? 25, M Leibniz metaphysics and epistemology Assign: K 70-76, , , ; B How does Leibniz metaphysics lead to his epistemology? 27, W Leibniz understanding of human existence Assign: K , B How does Leibniz doctrine of monads help in understanding human existence? What does it miss? 29, F Leibniz theodicy Assign: K ; B , Can you think of any objections to Leibniz theodicy that he has not met? Mar. 3, M Exam Renaissance to Leibniz 7, F Berkeley Assign: K 76-79, , ; B 305#1-312#26, p. 326#85-329#96. Do you think that Johnson successfully refuted Berkeley by kicking a stone? 10, M Berkeley on human existence and God Assign: K , ; B Is Berkeley s understanding of God at all helpful today? 12, W Hume s epistemology Assign: K 80-86, ; B Why would or wouldn t you agree with Hume s epistemology? 14, F To be announced 7

8 26, W Hume on causation Assign: K ; B , Why is it impossible to know that one event necessarily caused another event? What is the relationship between cause and effect? 28, F Hume s ethics Assign: K , ; B , Is Hume right that judgments of right and wrong actions dependent upon emotions? 31, M Hume s understanding of religion Assign: K ; B , Can you think of any responses to Hume s challenge to the occurrence of miracles? April 2, W Paper covering first 2 philosophers is due. Smith and Reid Assign: K 86-90; B Why did Reid object to the system of ideas that Descartes, Locke, and Hume depended on? List Reid s objections to Hume s position on knowledge. 4, F Enlightenment Assign: K 90-93, ; Voltaire, on Philosophy web page How does Montesquieu s political philosophy develop the Enlightenment s interest in freedom? 7, M Rousseau Assign: K 93-96, How does Rousseau compare to Locke and Hobbes? How is he similar and how is he different from each of them? 9, W Rousseau Assign: B How does the social contract avoid enslaving people who were free in nature? Why are conventions the only lawful authority over others? 11, F Wolf and Lessing as intro to Kant, both the high point and end of the Enlightenment. Assign: K What elements of Wolf s system are similar to Leibniz? Where does religion fit in Lessing s understanding of human nature? 14, M Kant s epistemology Assign: K , How would you describe Kant s understanding of the limits of the powers of the mind? 16, W Kant s epistemology Assign: B Can you think of any pure a priori knowledge? What are space and time? 8

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10 18, F Completed paper is due. Kant s metaphysics Assign: K , , What is the point of Kant s antimonies? What is real according to Kant? Why is it impossible to prove God exists but it is necessary to believe that God exists? 21, M Completed paper is due. Kant s theoretical ethics Assign: K ; B Do you think that happiness or duty is more important for ethical decisions? Why? 23, W Kant s practical ethics Assign: B 5 th paragraph on p. 623 to the 6 th paragraph on p. 628 and be ready to explain how you could use Kant s approach to make a moral decision. What are the three forms of the categorical imperative and how to they lead to understanding duty as requiring you to keep a promise? 25, F Responses to Kant Assign: K , M 7:30-9:30 AM Final exam Berkeley through Kant. 10