History of Early Modern Philosophy

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Students who have not studied Descartes' Meditations previously are encouraged to read them in preparation for this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject offers an introduction to philosophical debates in early modern philosophy from Descartes to Kant. Questions that were controversially debated during the period inlcude the following: How can we acquire knowledge that is absolutely certain? How can I know that an external world exists outside my own mind? Is my mind an immaterial substance that is distinct from material bodies? What is the relation between mind and body? Can I know that my experiences inhere in an immaterial rather than a material substance? What is a substance? What are the limitations of human understanding? What is a self or person? How do persons continue to exist over time? What role do questions of moral responsibility play in theories of personal identity? In this subject you will enter into a dialogue with early modern thinkers and search for your own answers to their questions. We will trace the historical development of theories concerning knwowledge and skepticism, the mind-body relation, substance, causation, and personal identity through the study of texts in the period from Descartes to Kant.

Student who successfully complete this subject will:

• reflect critically upon debates in early modern philosophy and the philosophical problems that continue to influence debates in metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind and ethics;
• identitfy key philosophical concepts and show awareness of potential problems that led to the revision and refinement of these concepts in the historical debates;
• interpret philosophical texts that were written in the 17th and 18th centuries;
• write well-structured and well argued essays that explain and critically assess philosophical views covered in this subject;
• articulate own responses to philosophical views, support them by reasons and defend them in light of criticism;
• collaborate effectively and respectfully with other team members, listen to and learn from others and make well considered team decisions

• A 1250 word essay, due mid semester (30%)
• Readiness assurance tests, equivalent to 750 words, due throughout the semester (15%)
• A take-home exam 2000 words, due in end of semester examination period (50%)
• Peer assessment throughout the semester (5%)

Hurdle requirement:

• Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject.
• All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Students will be asked to complete short assessment tasks on a continuous basis inside and outside the classroom. Some of these tasks will be completed in teams. These tasks will be assessed as satisfactory/unsatisfactory and at least 70% of these tasks have to be completed satisfactorily to pass the subject.Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

A subject reader will be made available before the start of semester.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.