Modern Philosophy

Course Objective

The student:
1 - Has acquired factual knowledge about the history of modern
philosophy, including but not limited to Descartes, Van Schurman,
Leibniz, Amo, Du Châtelet, Kant, Fichte, Hegel, Marx, Paulsen, and
Brentano
2 - Has acquired conceptual knowledge about the main arguments and
theories relevant for the period, i.a. rationalism, empiricism,
skepticism, idealism, realism, etc. as well as a critical understanding
of periodizations such as modernity, enlightenment, renaissance, etc.
3 - Has acquired metacognitive knowledge about studying the history of
philosophy and how it relates to their present as well as (the history
of) other philosophical, humanistic, and scientific disciplines.

Course Content

- Introduction to the philosophers and theories of the modern period
through the Reverse Engineering approach
- study of primary texts, individually and in groups;
- the historical context in which the philosophers and theories
developed;
- the meaning and relevance of the history of philosophy;
- reading and understanding the original sources.

Additional Information Teaching Methods

Lectures

Method of Assessment

The final grade will be determined by weekly on-line assignments
(annotations and group discussion of the primary texts on Perusall) as
well as a final written examination with open questions about the texts.
* Weekly assignments (20%, objectives 1-2)
* Final exam (80%, objectives 1-3)

Literature

A selection of primary texts will be made available through Canvas.

Additional Information Target Audience

BA1-students Philosophy

Explanation Canvas

Canvas will be used to disseminate the slides, texts, and announcements.

Recommended background knowledge

Courses in the history of ancient and medieval philosophy