History of the philosophy of modern times

Duration

45h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Olivier Dubouclez

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course offers a general introduction to Modern Philosophy in order to provide the main conceptual and historical elements required to read and interpret the major works of the period. We will specifically emphasize 1) the transformations of metaphysics or first philosophy, 2) the relationship between philosophy and science and 3) the main transformations of subject and subjectivity.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The goal of this course is to help students acquire a firm knowledge of fundamental philosophical writings and to give access to the doctrine of each author so that students will be able to explain its arguments and to discuss them.
The course implies both the historical knowledge of philosophical ideas and the ability to use them as an individual.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

At least one Philosophy course

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course will divid into 4 main parts devoted to 4 central authors of the period: Descartes, Spinoza, Hume and Kant. For each of them an introduction focusing on large extracts of their principal writings will be proposed.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Duration and period : 45 hours, 1st quadrimester


See http://cipl82.philo.ulg.ac.be/horaires

Recommended or required readings

- R. Descartes, Metaphysical Meditations, Meditations I to II.
- R. Descartes, Rules for the Direction of the Mind, Rules 1 to 12.
- B. Spinoza, Ethics, Books I and II.
- D. Hume, Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding.
- E. Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, 2nd preface and introduction.
Editions used in class will be specified at the beginning of the course, as well as secundary literature to help the students in their reading and learning.

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral examination including a question on the course itself and the explanation of a short text taken from mandatory readings.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Olivier Dubouclez Departement of Philosophy History of Modern Philosophy Place du 20-Août, 7 B-4000 Liège email: Olivier.Dubouclez@ulg.ac.be
I receive students on Thursday (12:00-13:00) or by appointment.