Philosophy 3640: Modern Philosophy
Brian Beakley
Coleman Hall 3536  (581-3964)
bbeakley@eiu.edu

This course will examine works by some of the major writers of the ‘modern’ period (i.e., roughly the 17th and 18th centuries).  In this period what we now consider science came into being; many of the social and political ideas were worked out that would guide the political revolution, and subsequent government and Constitution, of the United States; and ancient and medieval frameworks of thought were definitively replaced with a new framework which in many ways is still shapes our thinking today.  We will be focusing on the works of Descartes, Leibniz, Berkeley, and Hume listed below, in the order given.  But we will also discuss related writers of the period who figured significantly in the works read here.  For example, after Leibniz we will read a bit of Locke's writings; we will look briefly at some points from Malebranche and Galileo along with the Descartes readings, and briefly discuss the work of Baruch Spinoza afterwards; and, inevitably, the great philosopher Isaac Newton will lurk behind most of the readings in the course.

To cover these topics adequately, the reading load will occasionally be substantial.  On top of the reading, you will be required to complete in-class (closed book) midterm and final exams of essay questions, and a short (4-6 pp.) exegetical paper. The topic will be provided for the short paper.

Texts:

Rene Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, with The Objections and Replies; excerpts from Rules for the Direction of the Mind and Principles of Philosophy

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Discourse on Metaphysics, Monadology, and Correspondence with Arnauld; excerpts from Theodicy and Leibniz/Clarke Correspondence

George Berkeley, Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous 

David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding