This course surveys the major ideas and thinkers of Western Philosophy from the 17th century to the contemporary period.

1. to acquaint the student with the key philosophical ideas and thinkers of this period

2. to develop an ability to read carefully philosophical texts, to think deliberately and

logically about ideas, and to formulate coherently an evaluation of a philosophical text

3. to appreciate the important role and significance of philosophical ideas in their contexts in the effort to understand the human experience of truth, justice, beauty, the nature of reality, God, etc.

4. to utilize the insights from the History of Philosophy and the rigor of philosophical

analysis to help formulate a defensible understanding of the relationship between the knowing, valuing, and believing self, the world, and God.

1. reading tests over the material designated by a number (drop lowest two)--25%

2. lecture tests over classroom notes and discussions (final is not comprehensive)--50%

3. one analytical/evaluative paper--25%

a. contrast two philosophers on one subject (e.g., ethics, religions, etc.)

b. show how they disagree and/or agree

c. explain what is in their philosophies which make them disagree and/or agree

d. advocate one of the positions by stating why you do in your own words and ideas gleaned from your study during the semester

e. have the following divisions--1) the issue, 2) the philosophers’ thoughts on the

issue, 3) why they are different or similar in light of their philosophies,

and 4) your evaluation

g. rough draft due May 1st, final draft May 13th

h. the paper is graded according to the following criteria:

1) does it follow the assignment

2) does it accurately interpret the philosophers in their original sources

3) does it logically present its analysis

4) does it show reflection, originality, and care

5) does it use secondary sources

4. extra credit--up to two units of a grade; summarize a primary text agreed upon with the Professor; must be good quality to get full credit; due May 14th

5. attendance--it is mandatory; no one can pass with seven or more absences; only excused absences can take makeup exams and lecture tests (i.e., you must notify me beforehand); makeup reading tests are given on the day of the final; to be fair to others in the class, only in emergencies should any one leave the classroom during the lecture.

6. grading--

a. an A indicates excellence; b. a B good work; c. a C is fair work; d. a D is

passing but not persuasive work; and e. an F indicates no level of working

knowledge

b. grades are determined by how they reflect a mastery of the material and how

competitive the student is with her peers.

1. 1/30: Introduction: Vocabulary; Logic; Characteristics of Modern Philosophy

2. 2/4: Luther--"The Certainty of Individual Conscience: The Move To Subjectivity"

Francis Bacon--"The Beginning of Empirical Science"

3. 6: Descartes--"The Quest for Rational Certainty Within the Subject"

#2 pp. 339-360

4. 11: Pascal--"The Certainty of Faith Out of the Uncertainty of Reason"

Thomas Hobbes--"Skepticism and the Rule of the Benevolent Dictator"

#3 pp. 364-375

5. 13: Leibniz and Spinoza--"The Metaphysics of Substance"

6. 18: "

7. 20: Berkeley and Locke--"A New Look at Experience"

8. 25: " #4 pp. 375-400

9. 27: David Hume--"The Modern Skeptic" #5 pp. 405-430

10. 3/4: "

11. 6: TEST

12. 11: Kant--"The Limitations of Reason and the Supremacy of the Good Will"

13. 13: " #6 pp. 444-467

14. 18: "

15. 20: Hegel--"The Nonlimitations of Reason and the Supremacy of the Geist"

16. 4/1: " #7 pp. 477-4496

17. 3: "

18. 4/8: Nietzsche--"The Right of Revolt and the Will to Power"

#8 pp. 542-576

19. 10: Kierkegaard--"Truth is Subjectivity and the Existentialist’s God"

#9 pp. 497-515

20. 15: TEST

21. 17: Marx--"The Struggle for Justice in History" #10 pp. 515-523

22. 22: Mill--"The Excellence of Personal Liberty" #11 pp. 524-541

23. 24: Russell--"Skepticism with Precision and the Reign of Logic"

Moore--"The Drive for Conceptual Clarity"

24. 29: Wittgenstein--"The Move Towards Language and the Mysticism of Wonder"

#12 pp. 608-626 & 632-644

25. 5/1: Whitehead--"The Lure of the Evolving Whole"

26. 6: Dewey--"The Pragmatic World View and Democracy" #13 pp. 592-604

27. 8: Heidegger--"Finding Reality Where It Is Not" #14 pp. 655-701

28: 13: Women in Philosophy--"Patriarchy, Gynocentrism, and Values"

FINAL