PHIL4812001  RATIONALISM                                          DR. CANDICE SHELBY

M-W 11:30a.m. - 12:45p.m.                                                  OFFICE:  M108F

ROOM:  PL 131                                                                    PHONE: 556-3223

                                    email:  cshelby@carbon.cudenver.edu

 

SYLLABUS

 

Rationalism is one of the two great traditions characterizing what has come to be known as the Modern period in philosophy (despite the fact that convincing arguments have been made that the rationalism/empiricism distinction cannot coherently be made).  This course undertakes the in-depth analysis of the work of three highly influential rationalist thinkers of 17th century, attempting to elucidate several themes which not only characterize these writers as rationalists, but which continue to inspire philosophers and others who attempt to come to terms with the nature of the world and human existence.  Through focusing our attention upon the writing of Renee Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, and Wilhelm Gottfried von Leibniz, we will consider such issues as the mind/body distinction, and the questions that distinction raises about the common experience of a unified “self”, as well as about the possibility and source(s) of our knowledge; the nature of causality and the implications of that notion for science; and finally,  the possibility of human freedom.  Our method will be to read substantial portions of historically significant original works, and to dissect and criticize them, with the assistance of respected secondary literature. 

 

 Grades for this course will be based on 3 papers, 6-10 pages in length, and class discussion.  One paper will address a question regarding an aspect of Descartes’ philosophy, one an element of Spinoza’s, and one an issue in Leibniz’s work.  Each paper will constitute 30% of the course grade.  The final 10% of the course grade will be based on student participation, and for an assignable reason:  Effective probing of philosophical literature requires discussion, public critique, and mutual challenge.  Thus, each participant in the course contributes importantly to the value it has for everyone, and should receive credit for that contribution in the grading process. 

 

I intend to do my best as well, to make this course entertaining, stimulating, and enjoyable for everyone.  Toward that end, I will make myself available to you as much as is reasonable.  In addition to class time, I can help you during my OFFICE HOURS, which this semester will be

 

MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS FROM 9 to 10 a.m., and from 1-3 p.m.

 

I am actually on campus much more than this, so you OF COURSE may call me at other times for appointments and/or phone chats, and I’ll answer email whenever I get it.

 

 

 

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REQUIRED TEXTS:

The Essential Descartes, ed. Margaret D. Wilson (ED)

G. W. Leibniz:  Philosophical Essays, trans. Roger Ariew and Dan Garber (PE)

Baruch Spinoza:  The Ethics and Selected Letters, ed. Seymore  Feldman (E&L)

The Rationalists:  Critical Essays on Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz,

ed. Derk Pereboom (R)  

 

 

RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS:

 

The Cambridge Companion to Leibniz, ed. Nicholas Jolley (CCL)

The Cambridge Companion to Spinoza, ed. Don Garrett (CCS)

 

COURSE SCHEDULE:

 

JAN 23                        INTRODUCTION , “The Seventeenth-Century Intellectual

Background”, CCL pp. 43-66 (Read it when you can)

 

JAN 28                        Descartes,  “Meditations”,  ED pp. 161-193

 

JAN 30                        Descartes,  “Meditations”, ED pp. 194-223

 

FEB   4                        Descartes, “Objections and Replies”, ED pp. 231-236

and 264-276               

 

FEB   6                        Descartes, “Principles”, ED pp 311-313, 330-338,

and 347-352

 

FEB  11                      “Descartes’ Case for Dualism”, R, pp. 19-58

 

FEB  13                       finish “Descartes’ Case for Dualism”

           

FEB  18                       “The Unity of Descartes’ Man”, R, pp. 59-87

 

FEB  20                     Wrap up Decartes                                                                              

 

FEB  25                      Spinoza, E&L pp. 31-52

 

FEB  27                      Spinoza, E&L pp.  53-79

 

MAR  4                      Spinoza, E&L pp.  80-101   

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MAR   6                     “Spinoza’s Necessitarianism”, R pp. 103-130

 

MAR  11                     Spinoza, E&L pp. 103-118

 

MAR  13                    Spinoza, E&L pp. 153-175

 

MAR  18                     Spinoza, E&L pp. 203-225

 

MAR  20                     “On the Relationship between Mode and Substance in Spinoza’s

 Metaphysics”, R pp. 131-163

 

MAR  25 & 27            SPRING BREAK—DO PEOPLE STILL SKI?

 

APR    1                       Leibniz , PW pp. 5-10, 23-27  and 30-34

 

APR    3                       Leibniz, PW, pp. , 186-192

                       

APR    8                       Leibniz, PW, pp. 138-145

 

APR   10                      Leibniz, PW, pp. 35-49

 

APR   15                      Leibniz, PW, pp. 50-68           

 

APR   17                      Leibniz, “Leibniz and Spinoza on Substance and Mode”, R pp.

 273-300

                       

APR   22                      finish “Leibniz and Spinoza on Substance and Mode”

 

APR   24                      Leibniz, PW, pp. 19-23, 69-77

           

APR   29                      Leibniz, PW, pp. 207-213

 

MAY   1                      Leibniz, PW, pp. 213-225       

 

MAY   6                      “Natures, Laws, and Miracles:  The Roots of Leibniz’s Critique of

Occasionalism”, R 301-326

 

 MAY  8                      Wrap up Leibniz

 

MAY 15                      PAPER #3 DUE IN MY HANDS 12:00 p.m.

                                    NONE WILL BE ACCEPTED LATER