Modern Philosophy

This course offers a broad survey of modern philosophy. Topics include: innateness, materialism, idealism, personal identity, induction, causation, freedom, skepticism, optimism, pessimism, morality, beauty, laughter, justice, private property, utilitarianism, toleration, free speech, happiness, and existentialism. 

Innate Ideas

Locke: Essay, Book I, Ch. 2 (13-17) and Chs. 3-4 (pdf)

Leibniz: ‘Preface’ to New Essays (115-118, up to "senses and reflection")

Primary/Secondary Qualities

Locke: Essay, Book II, Ch. 1 §1-8 (17-19), Ch. 2 (22-23), and Ch. 8 §7-26 (27-31)

Berkeley: Principles §9-15 (140-141)

Substances

Locke: Essay, Book II, Ch. 23 (53-61); Book IV, Ch 3 §6, 9-14, 16 (86-90)

Berkeley: Principles §16-20 (141-143)

Personal Identity

Locke: Essay, Book II, Ch. 27 (61-70)

Idealism

Berkeley: Principles §25-33 (143-145) and Third Dialogue (205-216, up to "nor anyone else can be sure it exists")

Induction

Hume: Enquiry, Sections IV-V.1 (336-346)

Causation

Hume: Enquiry, Section II (333-335) and Section VII (351-359)

Liberty and Necessity

Hume: Enquiry, Section VIII (359-369)

Skepticism

Bayle: Dictionary, "Pyrrho", Note B (232-236)

Hume: Enquiry, Section XII (387-389, 391-394)

First Exam

Theodicy

Leibniz: Precis of Theodicy 

Evil

Hume: Dialogues Parts X-XI (416-426)

Optimism 

Voltaire: “Poem on the Lisbon Disaster” 

Rousseau: “Letter to Voltaire” §1-12, 23-30, 36-37 

Rousseau: Discourse on Inequality, note IX §1-4, 13 

Pessimism

Schopenhauer: Selections from The World as Will and Representation 

Morality and Beauty

Hutcheson: Selections from Inquiry into the Original of Our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue 

Laughter

Hobbes: Human Nature 11.13 

Hutcheson: “Reflections on Laughter” 

Sympathy

Hume: "Of the Love of Fame" (§2-7) and "“Of the Origin of the Natural Virtues and Vices” (§1-11 and §14-30) 

Moral Diversity

Hume: "A Dialogue" (§1-38 and 52-56) 

Aesthetic Diversity

Hume: "Of the Standard of Taste" 

Second Exam

Private Property

Locke: Second Treatise on Government, Chapters II, III, V

Consent

Locke: Second Treatise on Government, Chapter VIII

Hume: "Of the Original Contract"

Justice

Hume: "Of the Origin of Justice and Property", "Of the Origin of Government", and "Of Chastity and Modesty" 

Utility 

Mill: Utilitarianism, Chapter Two 

Toleration 

Locke: “A Letter Concerning Toleration” 

Free Speech

Mill: On Liberty, Chapter Two 

Individuality 

Mill: On Liberty, Chapter Three

Existentialism

Sartre: "Existentialism is a Humanism"

Third Exam