PHIL 207 - Modern Philosophy: The Enlightenment

This course focuses on some central epistemological, social, and metaphysical issues facing European philosophers in the17th and 18th centuries. Topics include the following: what are the nature, scope, and limits of knowledge; who is entitled to participate in the search for truth; what is the role of God in a rational universe; how do ideas represent external objects; are there innate ideas; are there perceiver-independent objects/properties. Students will focus on critical analysis of texts and careful articulation of arguments. Readings will be drawn from among the following philosophers: René Descartes, Mary Astell, George Berkeley, Mary Shepherd, Francçois Poullain de la Barre, John Locke, and David Hume.

Credits 4

Compass Attributes
Humanities