PHI 106 - Early Modern European Philosophy

The foundations of contemporary philosophy and science were fashioned in Europe during the Early Modern period, or the 17^th-18^th Centuries. During this “Age of Enlightenment,” philosophers shirked longstanding conceptions of the world and our place in it, starting anew. Four questions took center stage. (1) How can we know about the world? First, how can we know that what appears to us perceptually (e.g., a red apple) really exists? Second, how can we know that what always happened before (e.g., heavy objects fell when dropped) will happen now and hereafter? Third, how can we know certain highly general truths about the world (e.g., that any event is caused)? (2) What is the world like? First, what is the nature of “substances,” the world’s building blocks? Then, what are the features of physical substances we call ‘bodies’, and how do mental substances we call ‘minds’ relate to bodies? (3) Are we free? How could we be free in a world where whatever we choose or do follows necessarily from what came before it? (4) Is morality objective? Are our distinctions between right and wrong merely judgments about our own sentiments? Or are they judgments about properties of actions independent of us?

Our aims in this course are: (i) to learn to read, interpret, and critically engage with classic philosophical texts from Early Modern Europe; (ii) to learn to assess the value of arguments and to construct one’s own; (iii) to develop the ability to express thoughts verbally or in writing with clarity and persuasive force; and (iv) to engage in historical debates on the above four questions, and reflect on their significance for contemporary philosophy and science.

Counts towards the satisfaction of the Philosophy major requirement to take two courses from among PHI 105, PHI 106, PHI 107, and PHI 108.
Satisfies the Philosophical and Religious Perspectives requirement.
Counts as a Western Europe area course in the International Studies Interdisciplinary Minor.