PHIL 216 - Modern Philosophy

Next Offered: 2009-2010
Semester Offered: First Semester
Credits (Range): 3 Hours
Attribute: 3 HU

This course examines central debates in metaphysics during the 17th and 18th centuries. We begin with Descartes’ innovative approach to traditional problems of metaphysics and the efforts of Locke and Descartes to reconcile the new scientific view of the world with commonsense. We then turn to Berkeley and Hume, whose criticisms of Locke and Descartes raise doubts about the very possibility of metaphysical inquiry. The course ends with Kant’s heroic efforts to save metaphysics. (H) Enrollment Limit: 33.
Instructor: T. Ganson
Prerequisites & Notes
This course is not an introductory course, but may be taken by students without previous study in philosophy with a special interest in the topic.