PHI6050 - Descartes & the Empiricists

Lecturer:

George Botterill

Outline

Familiarity with the work Descartes (1596-1650), Locke (1632-1704), Berkeley (1685-1753) and Hume (1711-1776) is widely regarded as an essential pre-requisite for informed engagement in analytical philosophy. This module will concentrate on knowledge, meaning and the mind which have remained central topics of philosophical discussion from Descartes and Locke onwards. It aims to combine an accurate interpretation of these philosophers' views with current philosophical debate about such issues as the relation between mind and body, innate knowledge, whether words stand for meanings in the mind, primary and secondary qualities, personal identity, and how best to deal with scepticism.

The main texts to be studied are:

Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy (1641); Locke An Essay concerning Human Understanding (1690); Berkeley The Principles of Human Knowledge (1710), Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous (1713); Hume A Treatise of Human Nature Book 1 (1739) [esp. Part IV Section VI], An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding (1748) [esp. Sections VII and X].

Preparatory Reading

Any of the primary texts could be read with benefit, but it makes sense to approach these philosophers in chronological order. So I would recommend starting where the module starts, with:

Descartes' Meditations (preferably in the translation by John Cottingham, published by Cambridge University Press, with selections from the Objections and Replies.)

I also strongly recommend:

Mackie, J.L. 1976. Problems from Locke Oxford University Press. Since this book is particularly good at showing the continuing relevance to modern debates of the thinking of one of these philosophers.
The primary texts are available in many different editions; and note also that electronic versions of all of them can be found on the Web.


Related Publications by Sheffield Philosophers

Assessment

The module is assessed on the basis of one long essay between 4000 and 6000 words in length (for RMA or TMA candidates) or two short essays between 2000 and 3000 words in length (for TMA candidates only). Essay topics should be chosen in consultation with the course teacher concerned. The essays should be thought of as mini research-papers, whose content can be related more or less loosely to the material covered in the course. Students should meet with the lecturer, or other appropriate member of staff to discuss the topic and to discuss a draft of the essay.

Lectures and Seminars:

The module is also available to undergraduates, and further details of the module are available through the link on the right-hand side of this page.

If there are three or more postgraduates taking the module, a separate seminar will be scheduled for postgraduates only.