PHIL310-14S2 (C) Semester Two 2014

Early Modern Philosophy: Descartes to Hume

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 14 July 2014
End Date: Sunday, 16 November 2014
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 27 July 2014
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 12 October 2014

Description

This course introduces you to the philosophy of the early modern period. We shall pay particular attention to the epistemological and metaphysical questions addressed by Descartes in his Meditations and by Hume in Book 1 of his A Treatise of Human Nature. We also study Hume’s moral theory in Bk. III of the Treatise, Locke’s epistemology and Berkeley’s metaphysics. Topics covered include rationalism and empiricism, dreaming, scepticism, proofs of the existence of God, mind-body dualism, idealism, the nature of self, personal identity, causation, reason and the passions. Is knowledge based on reason or experience? Can I be sure that I’m not dreaming? Can I be sure of anything? What, in any case, is this ‘I’? What is the relationship between mind and body? What is it to remain the same person over time? Does the external world exist and, if so, what is its nature? Can ‘ought’ be derived from ‘is’? Is morality based on reason or the passions?

About Philosophy. Not only is philosophy one of the most interesting and challenging subjects, it teaches skills that employers want: thinking outside the box, logic, ethics, and excellent writing and communication skills. At UC you can do either a BA Honours in Philosophy or a BSc Honours in Mathematics and Philosophy, or take 400-level Philosophy courses as part of an Honours major in another subject.

Learning Outcomes

  • Learning outcomes:
  • Understand and evaluate central ideas in early modern philosophy.
  • Engage with the writings of Descartes and Hume in a detailed and systematic way.
  • Develop critical and interpretative skills of value in the academy and the workplace.
  • Communicate cogent summaries and analyses in oral and written form.

Prerequisites

45 points in PHIL, at least 30 at 200 level.

Course Coordinator

Michael-John Turp

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Seminar presentation 20% 25 minute seminar presentation
Essay 1 31 May 2013 25% 2000 words (max)
Essay 2 24 Oct 2014 20% 2000 words (max)
Exam 30%
Seminar attendance and participation 5% Throughout semester

Course links

Library portal

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,340.00

International fee $5,700.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Humanities .

All PHIL310 Occurrences

  • PHIL310-14S2 (C) Semester Two 2014
Next year