Philosophy 202 - Philosophical Foundations of Western Thought: The Modern Period
The Modern Period
Spring
2020
01
4.00
Samuel Mitchell
MW 11:00AM-12:15PM
Mount Holyoke College
109907
Dwight Hall 202
smitchel@mtholyoke.edu
Philosophy was transformed during the 17th and 18th centuries, in a period known as the Modern period, or the Enlightenment. This period is important for the background of our current views both in Philosophy and in intellectual endeavor generally. In this course, we'll look at the major figures involved in this transformation, and the positions about knowledge and reality that they defended. We'll have selections from the work of Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. We might not cover all of these, but will get to most.
Prereq: 4 credits in Philosophy.
Evaluation is by three essays.