The aim of this course is tointroduce the student with advanced problems in Early Modern Philosophy.
A discussion on the concept of substance through the major works of Descartes, Leibniz and Spinoza. The problematization of the relations between Descartes’s philosophy and modern science.
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Course Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes Upon the completion of this course a student: |
Program Learning Outcomes |
Teaching Methods |
Assessment Methods |
1) acquires historical approach to modern philosophy. |
1, 2,3,4,7,10,13 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
2) discusses scientific method in relation to the early modernist arguments. |
1,2,7,10 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
3) relates to philosophical concepts of the early Modern era a critical and creative way. |
1,2,7,10 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
4) grasps the historical significance of the concept of substance. |
1,2,7,10 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
5) explains the importance of the body and mind dualism. |
1,2,7,10 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
6) distinguishes 17th century as the era for the foundation of modern science . |
1,5,7,10,11,13 |
1,2,3,4 |
A,B,C,D,E |
Course Flow
COURSE CONTENT |
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Week |
Topics |
Study Materials |
1 |
Introduction |
Philosophy |
2 |
Aristotle’s Categories and Metaphysics: primary substances, inherence, independence. Pasnau, “Form, Substance, and Mechanism” |
Aristotle |
3 |
Seventeenth Century Scholastic Treatments Suàrez DM 21.2.2: “On Creation,” Eustachius Rozemond, Descartes’s Dualism, ch. 4; Descartes’ Meditations Background Source Materials, ed. Ariew. |
Descartes |
4 |
Descartes: Principles I.48-65, II.1-35, IV.189; Markie, “Descartes’s Concepts of Substance”; Rodriguez-Pereyra, “Descartes’ Substance Dualism” |
Descartes |
5 |
Descartes: Med. VI: M. Stuart, “Descartes’ Extended Substance” Sowaal, “Cartesian Bodies” |
Descartes |
6 |
Gassendi: the function of substance LoLordo, Gassendi and Early Modern Philosophy, 210-221 |
Gassendi |
7 |
Hobbes: De Corpore, ch. 8, and Answer to Bishop Bramhall |
Hobbes |
8 |
Mid-semester assessment |
- |
9 |
Spinoza: Ethics I.1-8; Method/Substance Lin, “Substance, Attribute, and Mode in Spinoza” |
Spinoza |
10 |
Spinoza: Ethics II.1-12 Lennon, “The Rationalist Conception of Substance” |
Spinoza |
11 |
Leibniz: De Summa Rerum, Discourse on Metaphysics Woolhouse, Introduction to Leibniz: Philosophical Texts, 5-49 Flemming, “On Leibniz on Subject and Substance” |
Leibniz |
12 |
Leibniz: PT 139-42, 180-208 Adams, Leibniz: Determinist, Theist, Idealist, 217-307 |
Leibniz |
13 |
Malebranche: Search After Truth III.2.6-9, IV.11; Elucidations 10, 12, 15 Lee, “Passive Natures”; Bardout, “Metaphysics and Philosophy” |
Malebranche |
14 |
Lo> Locke |
|
15 |
General Assessment |
- |
16 |
Final Exam |
- |
Recommended Sources
RECOMMENDED SOURCES |
|
Textbook |
texts put together by the instructor of the course. |
Additional Resources |
Aristotle’s Categories and Metaphysics: primary substances, inherence, independence. Philosophical Writings of Descartes, trans. Cottingham, Stoothoff, Murdoch (CSM), 3 vols. The Collected Works of Spinoza, vol. 1, ed. E.M. Curley Philosophical Texts by G. W. Leibniz (ed. Francks and Woolhouse) [PT] Malebranche: Philosophical Selections, ed. Steven Nadler An Essay concerning Human Understanding by John Locke, ed. Peter H. Nidditch For more of a general background in the issues of the period, consult Frederick Copleston’s History of Philosophy, vols. 4 and 5. |
Material Sharing
MATERIAL SHARING |
|
Documents |
- |
Assignments |
- |
Exams |
- |
Assessment
ASSESSMENT |
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IN-TERM STUDIES |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
Attendance |
15 |
10 |
Midterm |
- |
- |
Participation in seminar discussions |
15 |
10 |
Assignments |
1 |
10 |
Presentation |
1 |
10 |
Critical reading notes |
10 |
10 |
Final examination |
1 |
10 |
Final Paper |
1 |
40 |
Total |
|
100 |
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL PAPER TO OVERALL GRADE |
|
40 |
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE |
|
60 |
Total |
|
100 |
Course’s Contribution to Program
COURSE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROGRAM |
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No |
Program Learning Outcomes |
Contribution |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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1 |
acquires fundamental conceptual and methodological knowledge to use productively and creatively in academic studies. |
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X |
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2 |
improves a versatile critical and analytical approach, problem-solving, interpretative and argumentative skills in relation to advanced philosophical investigations. |
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X |
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3 |
proves to be a philosopher with principles, who communicates effectively, is specifically successful in written and oral presentation, has proper capacities for teamwork and interdisciplinary studies, takes the initiative, has developed a sense of responsibility, and contributes original ideas to the field of philosophy.
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X |
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4 |
applies life-long learning attitude to various ways of acquiring knowledge in order to maintain a professional and personal development.
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X |
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5 |
develops a consciousness of professional and social ethics. |
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X |
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6 |
acquires the necessary skill of choosing and developing actual means and using computing technologies effectively for a philosophical study .
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X |
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7 |
conducts an advanced study in history of philosophy which requires expertise, independently by using original texts. |
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X |
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8 |
applies philosophical knowledge to questions concerning contemporary, socio-cultural and political problematics.
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X |
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9 |
considers universal values and concepts of philosophy as a basis for [furthering] philosophical studies in Turkey; and is able to develop an approach to study and analyse issues that might arise when conducting discussions concerning history of philosophy in the Turkish language. |
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X |
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10 |
acquires the skill and background for making contributions to the field of history of philosophy, in national and international terms.
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X |
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11 |
uses his/her philosophical knowledge to establish interactions at national and international level.
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X |
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12 |
produces work of the quality of a contribution in national and international peer-reviewed journals in philosophy.
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X |
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13 |
holds the necessary knowledge of classical languages, a modern language in addition to English and history of philosophy to conduct an advanced philosophical study particularly in history of philosophy. |
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X |
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ECTS
ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION |
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Activities |
Quantity |
Duration |
Total |
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16 x Total course hours) |
16 |
10 |
160 |
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) |
15 |
10 |
150 |
Midterms |
- |
- |
- |
Assignments |
1 |
40 |
40 |
Presentation |
1 |
30 |
30 |
Critical reading notes |
10 |
4 |
40 |
Final examination |
1 |
40 |
40 |
Final Paper |
1 |
40 |
40 |
Total Work Load |
|
|
500 |
Total Work Load / 25 (h) |
|
|
20 |
ECTS Credit of the Course |
|
|
20 |