Philosophy 318
Office: Barry 215
Office Hours: MWF 12-2, TR 1-2
Dr. Max Maloney
x3368/606-6792
pmaloney@cbu.edu
facstaff.cbu.edu/pmaloney/
Modern Philosophy
Course Description
This course is intended as an introduction to some of the major figures of modern philosophy.
Spanning parts of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, the modern period produced thinkers of
prodigious accomplishment and influence. When you are introducing or being introduced to
something new, it makes sense to think about how the introduction should take place. This is a
course in the history of philosophy, but it is not a history course. To approach philosophy
historically is much more than merely placing thinkers in their historical context, learning dates,
or tracing out the historical development of specific concepts. It is to think with these thinkers, to
retrieve their thinking in order to understand its possibilities for us. We are all, westerners,
children of the moderns. We share their accomplishments and limits. As important and
substantial as this heritage is, it is wise to limit the scope of our attempt at this retrieval. To guide
our efforts, we will be concentrating on the relationship between metaphysics and epistemology.
Course Objectives
At minimum, I expect that by the end of the course you will have increased you knowledge and
understanding of the philosophers we will consider, as well as of the roles that they have played
in laying foundation for our contemporary understanding of the world and ourselves. Ideally, you
will have become an active rather than merely passive participant in this foundational thinking,
subject of it rather than to it.
Course Requirements
Your grade for this course will be calculated according to the following scale:
90%-100% = A
Highest level of accomplishment
80%-89% = B
Significant accomplishment
70%-79% = C
Average accomplishment
60%-69% = D
Insufficient accomplishment
Below 60% = F
Inadequate accomplishment
Your final percentage will be determined by your performance in the following areas.
30% Critical Writing Exercises
40% Term Paper
20% Discussion Questions
10% Participation
Critical Writing Exercises
Three times throughout the semester I will ask you to respond to a question in the form of
a short, 3-5 page paper. The aim of these papers will be to clearly and concisely explain
the issue or position in question and offer a critical rejoinder. I will provide a rubric
detailing my expectations for these papers and prompt in advance of each one.
Term Paper
As a demonstration of your overall level of achievement with the course materials, you
will produce an 8-12 page piece of original scholarship. The form and direction of your
efforts is yours to choose, though I must approve all such choices.
Discussion Questions
Most Fridays during the semester will be devoted to discussion of issues related to course
readings and lectures. If these sessions are to be fruitful, students will need to be prepared
to contribute to the discussion. At the beginning of each week, I will specify a focus for
our discussion. Each Wednesday, by 9 p.m. students are required to email me at least 3
questions relating the focus to that week’s readings and lectures.
Please note: These exercises are mandatory and make up a considerable portion of your final
grade. There will be no late assignments accepted.
Participation: In both its methods and its content, the study of philosophy requires the
active engagement of the student. Obviously, you cannot be engaged if you are not in
class, prepared to discuss the material. This is especially true for the Friday discussions. I
will expect you to be critically and actively engaged with the discussion.
Please Note: Academic dishonesty of any sort will not be tolerated. Any instance of cheating or
plagiarism that is detected will be handled according to the policies outlined in the student
handbook.
Texts
Descartes, Selected Philosophical Writings, (Cambridge UP) 0521358124 SPW
Berkeley, A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge, (Oxford UP, 1998)
0198751613 TPK
Leibniz, Philosophical Texts, (Oxford UP, 1998) 0198751532 PT
Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (Oxford UP, 1999) 0198752482 EHU
Kant, Prolegomena to any Future Metaphysics (Oxford UP, 2004) 0198751516 PFM
Hegel (Handout)
8/24
8/26-8
8/31-9/4
9/9-11
9/14-18
9/21-25
9/28-10/2
10/5-9
10/12-16
10/19-23
10/26-30
Introduction and Setting the Stage
Handout
SPW 1-40
SPW 73-86, 123-131
SPW 86-98, 131-133
SPW 105-122, 135-150
TPK 85-114 (§33)
9/30 Writing Exercise Due
TPK 114 (§34)- 146 (§118)
PT 53-69, 75-86
Fall Break
PT 143-152, 180-193
11/2-6
11/9-13
11/16-20
11/23-5
11/30-12/4
12/4-6
12/7-11
12/9
10/26 Term Paper Topic Due
PT 258-281
11/6 Writing Exercise Due
EHU 87-130
11/11 Term Paper Bibliography Due
EHU 134-164, 169-186
EHU 199-211
11/23 Term Paper Extended Outline Due
PFM 63-100
11/30 Writing Exercise Due
PFM 101-131
PFM 132-183
Term Paper Due
Final Exam Week: Discussion of Hegel Handout
Please Note: I reserve the right to alter the terms of this syllabus whenever I deem it necessary.