History of Philosophy - Aquinas Institute-Lafayette · Web viewHistory of Philosophy (PHI 206) 3 credits Spring 2011 Aquinas Institute Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana Instructor:

History of Philosophy(PHI 206)3 credits

Spring 2011

Aquinas InstituteDiocese of Lafayette, Louisiana

Instructor: Richard C. ChiassonBS, MBA, MA (Philosophy), MA (Theology)

Telephone: [337] 235-0071 e-mail: [email protected] you wish to speak with me privately, call the above telephone number or send an e-mail to schedule an appointment.

All of the following apply to students taking the course for credit.Auditors are only subject to the class attendance policies as they pertain to auditors, dress

policies and class protocol requirements.

Time and Location of Classes

Classes will be held on Thursdays on the dates stated in the below class schedule at the Immaculata Center (John XXIII Room except on the following dates January 13, February 10, March 10, and April 14, 2011 when classes will be held upstairs in the Msgr. Levasseur Room), 1408 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, Louisiana. Each class will meet from 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. with a break from 7:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Classes start January 13, 2011 and end May 5, 2011.

Course Description

This course is a survey of significant philosophical thinkers, both Western and Eastern, in the history of philosophy, providing an introduction to their lives, times and ideas.

Course Goals

After successfully completing the course, the student will have acquired a basic understanding of representative philosophies from the main chronological divisions of philosophy: ancient, medieval, modern and recent.

Course Rationale

“Why study the History of Philosophy? In order to become truly educated. But if it is desirable for all cultured men to know something of the history of philosophic thought, . . . how much more is this not desirable for all avowed students of philosophy. . . There is a great difference between the true [revealed] Religion and the true philosophy, that whereas the former, as

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mailto:[email protected]

History of Philosophy Course Syllabus Spring 2011

revealed, is necessarily true in its totality, in all that is revealed, the true philosophy may be true in its main lines and principles without reaching completion at any given moment. Philosophy, which is the work of the human spirit and not the revelation of God, grows and develops; fresh vistas may be opened up by new lines of approach or application to new problems, newly discovered facts, fresh situations, etc.”“Nature of the History of Philosophy.” The history of philosophy is certainly not a mere congeries of opinions, a narration of isolated items of thought that have no connection with one another. . . There is a continuity and connection, action and reaction, thesis and antithesis, and no philosophy can really be understood fully unless it is seen in its historical setting and in the light of its connection with other systems. . . The history of philosophy exhibits man’s search for Truth by the way of the discursive reason.”“How to study the History of Philosophy? The first point to be stressed is the need for seeing any philosophical system in its historical setting and connections. . . We can only grasp adequately the state of mind of a given philosopher and the raison d’etre of his philosophy if we have first apprehended its historical point de depart. . . The historian should know something of the philosopher as a man (this is not possible in the case of all philosophers, of course), since this will help him to feel his way into the system in question, to view it, as it were, from inside, and to grasp its peculiar flavor and characteristics. We have to endeavor to put ourselves into the place of the philosopher, to try to see his thoughts from within. . . To work one’s way into any thinker’s system, thoroughly to understand not only the words and phrases as they stand, but also the shade of meaning that the author intended to convey (so far as this is feasible), to view the details of the system in their relation to the whole, fully to grasp its genesis and its implications, all this is not the work of a few moments.”

—A History of Philosophy, Frederick Copleston, S.J.

Method of Instruction

The primary method of instruction will be lectures with active participation of the student, assigned readings and the writing of research papers the purpose of which is to permit the student to come to a deeper understanding of certain topics discussed in the lectures.Taking good notes is essential to doing well in this course. Lectures will not simply be a repetition of assigned readings but will usually include topics that are not in assigned readings. Thus, it is imperative that credit students have accurate notes for every class in order to prepare for the final examination.Students are permitted to audio tape lectures for personal use only.

Areas of Concentration

Since this one course covers the entire history of philosophy, as opposed to the usual two courses of “Ancient and Medieval Philosophy” and “Modern and Recent Philosophy,” it is not possible to engage in detailed analysis of all philosophers and philosophies stated below in the Class Schedule and Reading Assignments. Accordingly, there will be an emphasis on philosophers who form larger links in the chain of the history of philosophy and who for our purposes are: Thales, Pythagoras, Parmenides, Protagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Augustine of Hippo, Boethius, Soctus Erigena, Anselm of Canterbury, Avicenna, Bonaventure, Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, Francis Bacon, Nicholas

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Machiavelli, Rene Descartes, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, David Hume, Benedict Spinoza, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emmanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, William James, John Dewey, Etienne Gilson and Jacques Maritain.Other philosophers who will be studied form smaller links in the chain of the history of philosophy but are not to be considered insignificant. It is simply that lack of time and excessive quantity of material make it prohibitive to delve to any great depth or to any degree at all into their philosophies.

Required Texts

1. Classics of Western Philosophy, Seventh Edition, edited by Steven M. Cahn, published by Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. [http://www.hackettpublishing.com/]

2. Either The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy, edited by Thomas Mautner, published by Penguin Books or the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, by Simon Blackburn, published by Oxford University Press. [http://www.amazon.com]

Some Suggested Readings for Your Own Edification1

[The following texts are not required to be purchased.]

Encyclical Letter Aeterni Patris—On The Restoration of Christian Philosophy, Pope Leo XIII. This can be downloaded from the Vatican website free of charge at http://www.vatican.va by clicking on the papal archives button on the home page.

Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio—On Faith and Reason, Pope John Paul II. This can be downloaded from the Vatican website free of charge at http://www.vatican.va by clicking on the papal archives button on the home page.

History of Philosophy by Frederick Copleston, S.J. published by Image Books. The Presocratic Philosophers, by G.S. Kirk, J.E. Raven and M. Schofield published by

Cambridge University Press. Mediaeval Philosophy by Armand A. Maurer, C.S.B. published by the Pontifical Institute of

Mediaeval Studies, Toronto, Canada. History of Christian Philosophy in the Middle Ages by Etienne Gilson published by Random

House. Modern Philosophy—Descartes to Kant by Etienne Gilson and Thomas Langan published by

Random House. Recent Philosophy—Hegel to the Present by Etienne Gilson, Thomas Langan and Armand A.

Maurer, C.S.B. published by Random House. Christian Philosophy by Etienne Gilson published by the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval

Studies, Toronto, Canada. Divine Madness: Plato’s Case against Secular Humanism by Josef Pieper published by

Ignatius Press, San Francisco. In Defense of Philosophy by Josef Pieper published by Ignatius Press, San Francisco. A Guide to Thomas Aquinas by Josef Pieper published by Ignatius Press, San Francisco. The Silence of St. Thomas by Josef Pieper published by St. Augustine’s Press, South Bend,

Indiana.

1 Some of the below texts may be out of print but can be obtained from used book dealers such as Preserving Christian Publications at http://www.pepbooks.com or Book Finder at http://www.bookfinder.com.

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http://www.vatican.va/

http://www.vatican.va/

http://www.pepbooks.com/


Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Volume I and II—Diogenes Laertius, Loeb Classical Library. Introduction to Philosophy by Jacques Maritain published by Sheed and Ward, Inc, New

York. The Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius published by Penguin Books. The Science Before Science—A Guide to Thinking in the 21st Century, by Anthony Rizzi

published by the Press of the Institute for Advanced Physics, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Classics of Moral and Political Theory, edited by Michael L. Morgan, published by Hackett

Publishing Company, Inc. Modern Philosophy—An Anthology of Primary Sources, edited by Roger Ariew and Eric

Watkins, published by Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.

Class Attendance Policy

(a.) Excused/unexcused absences.

The credit students should incur no more than one (1) excused absence and one (1) unexcused absence. An excused absence is one in which the reason for the absence has been approved by the Instructor at least 48 hours prior to the time of the class to be missed. An unexcused absence is one where the Instructor has not approved the reason for the absence at least 48 hours prior to the time of the class missed or any reason for an absence which has not been approved by the Instructor. Violations of the absence policy may result in dismissal from the course.The Instructor has the authority to extend the excused and/or unexcused absence limits for individual students if unusual situations should arise.

Auditors are not required to attend every class. However, if an auditor misses too many classes they may well find themselves unable to comprehend future lectures. Accordingly, if an auditor incurs more than six (6) absences, as determined solely by the Instructor, they will be dismissed from the course since with that many absences it will not be possible to truly benefit from the series of instructions. All auditors when attending a class are expected to come on time and to remain until the class is completed, unless prior permission has been obtained from the Instructor to come late or leave early.

(b.) What you must do if you will not be able to attend a class.

If you cannot attend a class, please call the Instructor at [337] 235-0071. You must speak directly with the Instructor—leaving a voice message or sending an e-mail is not acceptable and will be considered to be an unexcused absence.

(c.) Acceptable reasons for missing a class include but are not limited to the following:

Your illness. Illness of a spouse or child. Death of a near relative or close personal friend.

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Business travel or other required travel (vacation or holiday travel is not considered to be “required” travel).

University work or examination (if you are enrolled as a full time student). Job related event. Pregnancy and childbirth.

(d.) What do you have to do if you miss a class?

Obtain the lecture notes from a student who attended the class you missed.

There will be no make-up lectures.

If you miss a class, it is also your responsibility to obtain any handout(s) which were distributed during that class. Handouts from a prior lecture will be displayed in the lecture room.

(e.) Arriving late for class.

If you arrive late for class simply enter quietly and take an available seat. Do not inform the Instructor as to why you were late until the break or after class.

Anyone who arrives more that 30 minutes late for class, as determined by the Instructor, will be documented as an unexcused absence. Be on time.

(f.) Leaving class early.

If you must leave class early, inform the Instructor prior to the beginning of the class as to the reason.

Anyone who leaves without having spent at least 1½ hours in class, as determined by the Instructor, will be documented as an unexcused absence.

Class Protocol

All students, both auditors and those taking the course for credit, are expected to observe the following minimum code of conduct at all times during class. Any behavior deemed inappropriate by the Instructor, whether or not stated below, may result in dismissal from the course.

Recitation of prayers before and after each class. Active participation and attentiveness in class is expected. Prompt attendance is required. Please come to class before it begins and remain until the

class is completed. No food or beverages, except water, is permitted in the classroom. All communication devices that make noise must be turned off, unless it is absolutely

necessary that they remain on, for example, if you are a physician.

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The use of cell phones during class is prohibited unless permission is granted by the Instructor.

Sleeping is not permitted in class. Disruptive behavior is not permitted. Weapons of any sort are not permitted. Obscene, vulgar, profane, or blasphemous language is not permitted. Sexual harassment is not permitted. Laying one’s head on the desk is not permitted. Chewing gum or any other substance is not permitted. If you have a question during class or wish to make a comment, raise your hand and wait to

be acknowledged before speaking. Common courtesy will be practiced by all individuals attending the class. You are to dress in a Christian manner, i.e., modestly and civilized—e.g., women—no halter

tops, plunging necklines, sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, cutoffs, tight fitting pants, etc.;—e.g., men—no cutoffs, shirts with inane pictures or words, rock group pictures, etc. Nose rings, tongue rings, pierced eyebrows, multiple pierced ears, visible tattoos, etc. are not permitted.

The wearing of a cap during class is prohibited. Smoking is not permitted in the classroom. Attending class while under the influence of alcohol, un-prescribed drugs or prescription

medications are not permitted, if, in the sole determination of the Instructor, this results in the physical and/or mental impairment of the student.

If rest room facilities are required, quietly leave the room. It is not necessary to inform the class.

Guests are not permitted to accompany a credit or audit student to class.

Course Grade

The final grade of those students who take the course for credit is the total points out of a possible 100 and will be determined as follows:

Writing Assignments 45%Final Examination 45%Class Participation 10%

Writing AssignmentsTwo required papers are to be in the following format:

3 pages of text single spaced, in 12 point regular font, Times New Roman. All margins 1 inch justified; headers and footers 0.5 inches. Paragraphs are to have the first line indented 0.5 inches. Each page of the text section is to be numbered at the bottom of the page as follows:

“Page (1, 2 or 3) of 3” The cover page, the endnote page and the bibliography page are not to be numbered. Headers are to be only on pages 2 and 3 of the text section and are to be in the following

format:“Writing Assignment 1 or 2 Date paper is due History of Philosophy”

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The cover page must include only the following: whether the paper is Writing Assignment 1 or 2, title of course [History of Philosophy PHI 206], the topic being addressed, the student’s name, the student’s e-mail address, and date paper is due.

A Bibliography and Endnotes (not Footnotes) are to comprise the last two pages. Direct quotations in the papers should be no longer than three (3) lines. Excessively long

quotations will result in a deduction of points. Quotations are needed to show that you have researched the topic, but you must demonstrate critical thinking skills, creativity and understanding of the subject matter and not just quote other authors.

The text section is to have an introduction, statement of the purpose of the paper and how the purpose will be accomplished.

The major part of the text will accomplish the purpose and is to be followed by a combined summary and conclusion paragraph.

Endnotes are to be limited to between ten (10) to fifteen (15) and the bibliography to between four (4) to six (6) sources.

Violations of these rules will result in the deduction of points. Credit students are given a sample paper in the above format and must use it as a guideline in

writing their papers.

It is recommended that you select a topic as soon as possible and begin your research.If you wait until the topic is discussed in class it will be too late.

1st Writing Assignment Due March 3, 2011: [choose one of the following topics]1. What, precisely, is the problem of Parmenides and how, precisely, does Aristotle

solve it?2. What account of human knowledge lies behind putting the Physics first in natural

science?3. What is Aristotle’s function argument for the human good and how does it relate

to Catholic teaching regarding man’s ultimate end?

2nd Writing Assignment Due April 28, 2011: [choose one of the following topics]1. Describe the real distinction between Being and Essence and explain why it is

important to metaphysics.2. Explain the Cartesian Cogito and why it leads to more virulent forms of

skepticism.3. Compare and contrast the epistemologies of Plato (objective idealism), William of

Ockham (nominalism), Rene Descartes (subjective idealism), and Emmanuel Kant (transcendental idealism), with that of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas (moderate realism).

Papers turned in after the due date will receive a grade of 0/F,unless a later date has been approved in advance by the Instructor.

With regard to the writing assignments, you may use any source you feel is applicable. For example, you may consult Aristotle’s Metaphysics or Nicomachian Ethics, Plato’s Dialogue Parmenides, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica or Summa Contra Gentiles, any assigned reading, any book on philosophy, any history of philosophy book or any writing by a philosopher that will help in achieving the purpose of the writing assignment.

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Final ExaminationOn the final examination, the credit student will be allowed to choose to address any six (6) topics out of thirteen (13) presented. Responses are to be in essay form, and the credit student must have enough knowledge to write for thirty (30) minutes on each topic chosen (the final examination is three hours long with no break). Final examination grades will not only be based on the correctness of the answers but also on spelling, grammar, logic and penmanship. The topics for the final examination will be taken from lectures only. No one will be allowed to leave the final examination early. Only black or blue ink pens and correction fluid or wheels will be allowed in the examination room. Blue books will be provided by the Instructor to document responses.Credit students will be given the final examination topics during Class 11. They should choose which topics they desire to address and begin to accumulate data pertinent to each topic chosen immediately thereafter.A review of the final examination topics will be conducted during the class immediately prior to the date of the final examination.

A make-up final examination may be permitted only for a serious reason approved by the Instructor at least twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled examination time. Any make up final examination must be taken within seven days of the original test date. The make-up test will consist of an oral examination with the Instructor. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a grade of “0”/“F” on the final examination.

Class ParticipationAll credit students are expected to participate in the class. Participation includes, among other things, coming to class on time, attention to the material presented during class, staying current on reading assignments, the response to questions posed by the Instructor directly to a student and the asking of questions by credit students that show critical thinking skills.

Determination of Final Course GradeGrades for writing assignments, classroom participation and the final examination are distributed according to their respective percentage values and converted into letter grades as follows:

90 to 100 points = A80 to 89 points = B70 to 79 points = C60 to 69 points = D0 to 59 points = F

The last date to drop the course with a grade of “W” will be Class 9 on March 10, 2011. After that date a grade will be assigned. (N.B.: The Aquinas Institute will not grant tuition refunds for those who withdraw from the course after registration).

Academic Dishonesty

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“Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, academic misconduct, falsification, fabrication, and the attempt to commit such a violation” (Student Handbook, p. 31). Refer to the Student Handbook for definitions and examples. A student involved in academic dishonesty will receive a “0”/“F” for that assignment/examination . Based on the severity of the violation, academic dishonesty may be reported by the Instructor to the Director of the Aquinas Institute and/or the appropriate Dean in the manner outlined in the student handbook. Ultimately, a student found guilty of academic dishonesty may be dismissed from the Aquinas Institute and Our Lady of Holy Cross College.A copy of the Student Handbook may be downloaded at olhcc.edu.

Class Schedule and Reading Assignments

The following schedule is intended to provide the student with a comprehensive outline of the entire history of philosophy which in itself should be an indispensable reference source.The particular topics stated below are the subject matter of the lectures in outline format and may or may not correspond to the reading assignment. Reading Assignments are to be completed for the particular class and not for the next class. Thus, you are to read the first two assignments for Class 2.

Class 1: January 13, 2011

OVERVIEW OF COURSE/CHINESE AND INDIAN PHILOSOPHY/PRE-SOCRATICS

Course Introduction Nature and direction of the Aquinas Institute. Purpose of philosophy in the Aquinas Institute. Philosophy courses offered by the Aquinas Institute. Review of syllabus and course requirements.

Introduction To The History Of Philosophy In General Beginning of philosophy in wonder. Classical definition of philosophy. Philosophy contrasted with theology. Historical rise of philosophy. Historical divisions of Western philosophy: ancient—beginning with Thales of Miletus

(d. 6th century B.C.), medieval—beginning with St. Augustine (d. 5th century A.D.), modern—beginning with Rene Descartes (d. 17th century A.D.), recent—beginning with Hegel (d. 1831) to the present.

Philosophy And History Philosophy. History. History of philosophy. Philosophy and philosophies.

Philosophical Systems What is a philosophical system? Being. Truth. Knowledge.

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God. Ethics.

Historiography Of Philosophy Divisions and various basis—chronology, geography or ethnology, enumeration of

problem areas, various disciplines, systematic approaches. Metahistory of philosophy—the history of the history of philosophy.

Chinese Philosophy Confucius (551-479 B.C.). Lao-Tzu (b. 604 B.C.).

Indian Philosophy Hinduism (8th century B.C.). Buddhism (5th century B.C.).

The Pre-Socratics Introductory Remarks. The Milesians: Notions. Thales (ca.2 624-ca 546 B.C.). Anaximander (ca. 610-ca 545

B.C.). Anaximenes (ca. 585-ca. 528 B.C.). Evaluation. The Pythagoreans: Pythagoras (ca. 570-ca. 496 B.C.) and the Pythagoreans. Myth,

Mathematics and Music. Number as the Arche. Evaluation. Forerunners of Metaphysics: Notions. Heraclitus (ca. 544-ca. 484 B.C.). Parmenides

(ca. 540-ca. 470 B.C.). Zeno of Elea (ca. 490-ca. 430 B.C.). The Eclectics: Notions. Empedocles (ca. 494-ca. 434 B.C.). Anaxagoras (ca. 500-ca.

370 B.C.). Democritus (ca. 460-ca. 307 B.C.).

Reading Assignment:3 Classics of Western Philosophy: Plato, Apology


THE SOCRATIC PERIOD

Introductory Remarks. The Sophists: Variables and Constants in Sophist Doctrine. Protagoras (ca. 481-411

B.C.). Gorgias (ca. 483-ca. 375 B.C.). Evaluation. Socrates: Life and Sources (ca. 470-399 B.C.). The Socratic Method. The Concept.

The Good. Evaluation. Post-Socratic Schools: Notions. The Cynics: Antisthenes (ca. 445-365 B.C.) and

Diogenes of Sinope (ca. 412-323 B.C.). The Cyrenaics: Aristippus of Cyrene (fl.4 395 B.C.). Post-Socratic Sophists: Thrasymachus, Callicles and Critias.

2 “ca.” is the scholar’s term for circa indicating uncertainty about a date.3 No readings from the writings of Pre-Socratic philosophers have been assigned because most of their writings have been preserved in fragmentary form only and many times it is not clear what the writings mean. Readings of primary sources will, accordingly, begin with Plato, as Socrates has left no writings that have survived. However, an excellent text on the Pre-Socratic philosophers, including fragments of their writings, is The Pre-Socratic Philosophers by G.S. Kirk, J.E. Raven and M. Schofield published by Cambridge University Press.4 “fl.” is the scholar’s term for floruit used to date the period of a person’s prime, particularly when exact birth and death dates are unknown.

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Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Plato, Phaedo


PLATO

Life and Works (427-347 B.C.). Sources of Plato’s Doctrine: Socrates. Heraclitus. Parmenides. Pythagoreanism.

Anaxagoras. Theory of Learning: Definition and Division. Levels of Learning. Participation, Logos,

Hypothesis and Dialectics. The Myth of the Cave. Critique of Plato’s Theory of Learning.

Origin of Ideas: Innatism, Critique of Plato’s Innatism. Subsistence of Ideas: The Ideas in Themselves. Medieval Interpretation. Aristotelian

Interpretation. Evaluation. Cosmogony: Two Different Questions. The Dialectical Process. The Historical Process. Psychology: Twofold Function of the Soul. Three Souls: The Simile of the Chariot.

Individuality. Immortality of the Soul. Theology: The Existence of God. The Essence of God. The Providence of God. Moral and Political Philosophy: The Four Virtues. The City. Social Classes. Forms of

Government. Political Idealism Beauty and Art: Beauty. Art. Evaluation and Influence.

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Plato, Meno

Class 4: February 3, 2011

ARISTOTLE

Life and Works (384-322 B.C.). Logic: Organon (Categories, On Interpretation, Prior Analytics, Posterior Analytics,

Topics, Rhetoric, On Sophistical Refutations, Poetics). Sensible Basis of Knowledge. The Three Acts of the Intellect. The Concept. The Judgment. Definition and Division. The Predicables. The Categories. Evidence and the First Principles. Two Kinds of Reasoning: Deduction (Syllogism) and Induction. The Demonstrable Regress. Experience, Wisdom, Science. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Logic.

Physics: Degrees of Abstraction. Nature and Motion. Matter and Form. Substance and Accident. Substantial and Accidental Change. Secondary and Prime Matter. Factors of Change. Causality. Entelechy. Interplay of the Four Causes. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Physical Philosophy.

Mathematical Philosophy: Quantity. Matter. Place and Space. Time. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Mathematical Philosophy.

Metaphysics: Concept of Metaphysics. Broadest Concept of Being: Analogy. Analogy between Actual and Potential Being. Act and Potency Mutually Exclusive. Further Analogies of Being. Logical Function of Analogy. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Metaphysics.

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God and the World: Theology. Existence of God. Essence of God. Origin of the World. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Philosophical Theology.

Psychology: Realms of Nature. Man’s Consubstantial Union. Man and Nous. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Psychology.

Ethics: The Good and Happiness. The Object of Happiness. Ideal of the Greek Citizen. Virtue. Standard of Virtue. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Ethics.

Politics: The State as a Product of Nature. Forms of Government. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Political Theories.

Aesthetics: Beauty. Art. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Aesthetics.

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Aristotle, Metaphysics (selections)


HELLENISM

Introductory Remarks. Stoicism: Notions. The Early Stoa: Zeno of Citium (336/5-264/3 B.C.), Cleanthes

(331/0-233/2/1 B.C.) and Chryssippus (281/78-208/5 B.C.). The Middle Stoa: Panaetius (ca. 185-112 B.C.) and Poseidonius (ca. 135-51 B.C.). The Late Stoa: Seneca (3 B.C.-A.D. 65), Epictetus (A.D. 60-117) and Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 121-180). Evaluation of Stoicism.

Epicureanism: Authors: Epicurus (341-270 B.C.) and Lucretius (96-55 B.C.). Doctrinal Positions. Evaluation of Epicureanism.

Pyrrhonism: Pyrrhonic Skepticism: Pyrrho (ca. 360-270 B.C.), Aenesidemus (ca. 80-ca. 43 B.C.) and Sextus Empiricus (fl. A.D. 170).

Schools from the Past: The Academy: Xenocrates (396-314 B.C.), Carneades (214-129 B.C.) and Cicero (106-43 B.C.). The Peripatum or Lyceum: Theophrastus (372-287 B.C.). Neo-Pythagoreanism.

Neo-Platonism: The Forerunner: Philo (25 B.C.-A.D. 40). The Neo-Platonic Movement: Saccas (A.D. 170-241). Plotinus: Life and Works (A.D. 205-270). Plotinus’ Doctrine. Other Neo-Platonic Schools: Porphyry (A.D. 233-304), Proclus (A.D. 411-485) and Iamblicus (A.D. 270-330). Evaluation of Neo-Platonism.

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism (selections)


THE RISING OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

Introductory Remarks. What is Christian Philosophy. Patristic Philosophy: The Pre-Augustinian Era: Notions. Apostolic Age. Apologists:

Justin (105-165) and Tertullian (160-230). Polemists: Pastor of Hermas (Middle of the second century?). Catechetical Schools: Clement of Alexandria (150-219) and Origen (185-254). Great Fathers of the Church: Gregory of Nyssa (ca. 335-ca. 395).

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Augustine of Hippo: Life and Works (354-430). God’s Existence. God’s Essence. God’s Knowledge of the Universe. Faith and Reason. Senses and Intellect. Illumination. Creation through Seedlike Principles. Angels. Origin of the Soul. Natural Morality. Freedom and Grace. Evil. Law and Love. History. State and Church. Evaluation.

The Post-Augustinian Period: The Pseudo-Dionysius (End of the fifth century). Boethius (480-524). Other Authors: Cassiodorus (ca. 490-ca. 580). Isidore of Seville (570-636) and John Damascene (700-754).

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Augustine, Confessions (Book XI), Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy (selections)


EARLY SCHOLASTICISM

Introductory Remarks. The Christian Line: Carolingian Renaissance: Scotus Eriugena (815-ca. 877). Cathedral

and Monastic Schools. The Universals: Remigius of Auxerre (ca. 841-908), William of Champeaux (1070-1120) and Roscelin (ca. 1050-1120). Mystics and Dialecticians: Peter Damian (1007-1072).

The Founders of Christian Scholasticism: Anselm of Canterbury: Life and Works (1033-1109). Faith and Reason. The Ontological Argument. Evaluation. Abelard: Life and Works (1079-1142). On the Universals. Faith and Reason. Moral Personalism. Evaluation.

The Islamic Line: Notions. Avicenna: Life and Works (980-1037). Emanation. Necessity and Contingency. Essence and Existence. Principles of Individuality. Illumination. Immortality of the Soul. Evaluation. Avorroës: Life and Works (1126-1198). Origin of the World. Unicity of the Intellect and Immortality. The Two Truths. Evaluation.

The Jewish Line: Notions. Avicebron: Life and Works (1021-1069/70). Emanation. Plurality of Forms. Evaluation. Maimonides: Life and Works (1135-1204). Aristotle and Sacred Scripture. Natural Theology. Evaluation.

Factors of Growth: Islamic and Jewish Influences. The Universities. Rediscovery of Aristotle. New Religious Orders.

Augustinians and Aristotelians: The Latin Averroists: Siger of Brabant (ca. 1235-ca. 1283). The Controversy. Faith and Reason. Knowledge. Creatures. Immortality of the Soul. Voluntarism.

Typical Scholasticism.

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Anselm, Proslogion

Class 8: March 3, 2011

First Writing Assignment Due

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THE GOLDEN AGE OF SCHOLASTICISM

Introductory Remarks. Bonaventure: Life and Works (1221-1274). For Augustine and versus Aristotle.

Corporeal Form. Knowledge. Scope of Philosophy. Evaluation. Albert the Great: Life and Works (1205-1280). Faith and Reason. Eclecticism.

Immortality of the Soul. The Universals. Evaluation. Thomas Aquinas: Life and Works (1224-1274).

Faith and Reason: Oneness of Truth. The Two Fields. God and Creation: God’s Existence. First Via: Motion. Second Via: From

Efficient Causes. Third Via: From Contingency. Fourth Via: From the Degrees of Perfection. Fifth Via: From Design in the World. God’s Essence: Analogy. God’s Perfections. Creation. Concurrence.

The So-Called Errors of Aristotle. Theory of Being: Aristotelian Principles. Essence and Existence. Principles of

Individuation. Against Seedlike Principles and Spiritual Matter. The Transcendentals. Hierarchy of Beings.

On Man: Notions. Abstraction and Illumination. Proper Object of the Intellect. First Act of Intellection. The Universals. The Rational Animal. Immortality of the Soul. Potencies.

Moral Philosophy: Happiness. Freedom. Political Theory: Man and the State. Law. Church and State. Evaluation.

Duns Scotus: Life and Works (1265/6-1308). On Knowledge. On Being. God, the Soul, the World. Ethics. Evaluation.

Other Scholastic Philosophers of the Golden Age: Roger Bacon (ca. 1212-ca. 1292). Giles of Rome (1247-1316). Henry of Ghent (died 1293). Raymond Lull (1232/5-1315).

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Aquinas, Summa Theologiae (selections)


LATE SCHOLASTICISM/THE RENAISSANCE

Last date to drop course with grade of “W”

Late Scholasticism Introductory Remarks The Modern Way Before Ockham: Peter of Spain (1225-1277). Durandus (1270/5-

1332) and Aureoli (ca. 1280-1322). Ockham: Life and Works (ca. 1300-1349). Theory of Knowledge. Metaphysics. The

Soul: Spirituality and Immortality. God: Existence and Essence. Moral Doctrine. Evaluation.

The Modern Way after Ockham: Marsilius of Padua (1270?-1342?). Autrecourt (ca. 1300-after 1350).

The Old Way: Notions. Eckhart (1260-1327).

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Transition to the Renaissance: Cusa: Life and Works (1401-1464). Knowledge. God and the World. Nature and Man. Political Ideas. Evaluation.

The Renaissance Introductory Remarks. Humanism after the Schools of the Past: Notions. Platonists: Bessarion (1395-1472).

Aristotelians. Stoics and Epicureans: Gassendi (1592-1655). Skeptics: Montaigne (1533-1592), Charron (1541-1603) and Sánchez (ca. 1552-1632).

Independent and Eclectic Humanists: Notions. Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494). Erasmus (1467-1536). Vives (1492-1540).

Toward a Philosophy of Nature: Occultism: Notions. The Cabbala. Paracelsus (1493-1541). Speculative Systems of Natural Philosophy: Notions. Bruno (1548-1600). Campanella (1568-1639).

Towards a New Method of Science: Notions. Francis Bacon (1561-1626). Galilei (1564-1642).

New Trends in Political Philosophy: Machiavelli (1469-1527). More (1478-1535). Grotius (1583-1645).

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Ockham, Summa Logicae (selections)


RENAISSANCE SCHOLASTICISM/THE MODERN PROJECT/DESCARTES

Renaissance Scholasticism Introductory Remarks. The Dominicans: Cajetan (1468-1534). John of Saint Thomas (1589-1644). The Jesuits: The Roman College: Vásquez (ca. 1551-1604). Suárez: Life and Works (1548-1617). Metaphysics. Political Authority. International

Law. The Just War. Evaluation.The Modern Project

Origin and Scope. Foundation: Cartesian Doubt, Cartesian Dualism. Radicalizing: Hume and Rousseau. Political Sweep: Hobbes. Religious Sweep: Spinoza and Pascal. Metaphysical Moderation: Locke’s Essay. Political Moderation: Locke’s Second Treatise. Metaphysical Salient: Kant on Knowledge. Ethical Salient: Kant on Ethics. Evaluating the Modern Project: The Modern Project’s Problems. Toward an Integral

Humanism.Descartes And His Circle

Introductory Remarks. Descartes: Life and Works (1596-1650).

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The Method: Intuition and Deduction. Division of Ideas. Universal and Methodic Doubt. Mathematics and Metaphysics. Metaphysics and Epistemology. The “Cogito”: Consciousness.

The Three Substances: Notions. The Self. The World. God. Observations on Descartes’ Arguments for God’s Existence.

Philosophical Positions: Notions. The Cartesian Concept of Substance. Psychological Dualism. Cosmological Mechanicism. Ethics.

Evaluation and Influence of Descartes’ Philosophy. Pascal: Life and Works (1623-1662). Methods and Sources of Knowledge. Malebranche: Life and Works (1638-1715). The Order of Knowledge. Evaluation.

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy


BRITISH EMPIRICISM/CONTINENTAL RATIONALISM

Distribution Of Final Examination Topics To Credit StudentsBritish Empiricism

Introductory Remarks. Hobbes: Life and Works (1588-1679). Materialism. Sensism and Nominalism.

Morality. The Natural State of War and the Covenant. Absolutism. Evaluation. The Cambridge Platonists: The Reaction. Common Notions. Locke: Life and Works (1632-1740). Experience and Ideas. Fountains of Ideas.

Qualities. Existence. Substance. Causality. Moral Doctrine. Social Doctrine. Private Property. Evaluation.

Berkeley: Life and Works (1685-1753). Theory of Knowledge. Toward Existence. Existence. Cause. Evaluation.

Hume: Life and Works (1711-1776). Impressions and Ideas. Association. Logical Processes. Substance and Causality. God and Natural Religion. Morality. Society. Evaluation.

The Scottish School: The Reaction. Main Exponent: Reid (1710-1796).Continental Rationalism

Introductory Remarks. Spinoza: Life and Works (1632-1677).

Theory of Knowledge: The Geometrical Method. Levels of Knowledge. Order of Existence: God or Substance or Nature. Attributes and Modes. Attribute of

Extension. Attribute of Thought. Necessity. Ethical and Political Theories: Virtues and Passions. The Concept of Ethics. Amor

Dei Intellectualis. Politics. Evaluation.

Leibniz: Life and Works (1646-1716). Monadology: Substance. Properties of the Monads. Matter. Principle of Perfection.

Activities of the Monad. Preestablished Harmony.

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Truth and Knowledge: Truths of Reason and Truths of Fact. Principle of Sufficient Reason and Theory of Possibility. Epistemological Value of the Truth. Hierarchy of Being. Sensation and Intellection. Experience and Innate Ideas.

God and Man: God’s Existence. Theodicy. Freedom. Evaluation.

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Hobbes, Leviathan (selections)


THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Introductory Remarks. British Enlightenment: Philosophy of Science: Boyle (1627-1691) and Newton (1640-

1727). Philosophy of Religion: Clarke (1675-1729), Toland (1670-1722) and Tindal (ca. 1656-1733). Moral Philosophy and Aesthetics: Shaftesbury (1671-1713). Political Philosophy: (Locke) and Adam Smith (1723-1790).

French Enlightenment: Characteristics. The Encyclopedists: Bayle (1647-1706), d’Alembert (1717-1783) and Diderot (1713-1784). Sensists: Condillac (1715-1780). Materialists: de la Mettrie (1709-1751), Helvétius (1715-1771), Holbach (1723-1789). And Cabanis (1757-1808). Philosophers of Society and of History: Montesquieu (1689-1755), Voltaire (1694-1778). (Rousseau) and Condorcet (1743-1794).

Rousseau: Life and Works (1712-1778). Social Philosophy. Other Philosophical Positions. Evaluation.

German Enlightenment: Periods. Thomassius (1679-1728). Wolff: Life and Works (1679-1754). Wolff’s Rational Philosophy. Evaluation of Wolffian Philosophy. Baumgarten (1714-1762). Herder (1744-1803).

Vico: Life and Works (1688-1744). Philosophy of History. Evaluation.

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature (selections)

Class 13: April 7, 2011

KANT

Life and Works (1724-1804). The Critique of Pure Reason: General Remarks: Notions. Philosophy and Science.

Three Kinds of Science. The Judgment and Its Division. Synthetic “A Priori” Judgments. Scope of the First Critique. The Meaning of Transcendentalism.

Transcendental Aesthetic: Sensibility and Mathematics. Experience and the Forms of Space and Time. Phenomenon.

Transcendental Analytic: Understanding and Physics. The Phenomenon and the Categories. Analytical Character of the Categories. Mediating Function of Time and Imagination. The Objects of Understanding.

Transcendental Dialectic: Reason and Metaphysics. Noumena and Ideas. Paralogism of Rational Psychology: The Paralogism. The Criticism.

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Antinomies of Rational Cosmology: The Antinomies. Remarks on the Antinomies. Sophisms of Rational Theology: The Ontological Argument. The Cosmological

Argument. The Teleological Argument. Reflections on Kant’s Theory of Science. The Problems of Practical Reason: The Moral “Faktum.” Law, Principles, Imperatives,

Maxims. Formulas of the Categorical Imperative. Moral Intuition and Postulation. First Postulate: Freedom of the Will. Second Postulate: Immortality of the Soul. Third Postulate: God’s Existence. Reflections of Kant’s Moral Theory. Religion. Political Ideas.

The Critique of the Judgment: Feelings and the Beautiful. Feelings and Teleology. Reflection on Kant’s Theory of Feelings.

Final Evaluation of Kant’s Philosophy.

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Kant, Critique of Pure Reason (selections)

Class 14: April 14, 2011

Second Writing Assignment Due

RECENT TIMES

Idealism Introductory Remarks. Hegel: Life and Works (1770-1831). The Basic Principle. Three-Phase Process. The

Absolute. The Supreme Triad. Threefold Division of Philosophy. The Idea. Nature. Spirit. The State. Philosophy. Evaluation.

Positivism Introductory Remarks. French Positivism: Comte (1798-1857). Pragmatism: The Movement: Peirce (1839-1914). James (1842-1910). Dewey (1859-

1952).The Surge of the Irrational

Introductory Remarks. Nietzsche: Life and Works (1844-1900). The Myth of Dionysus. Beyond Good and

Evil. God is Dead. The Will to Power. The Mediocre and the Superman. The Eternal Return. Religion and Moral Codes. Evaluation.

Contemporary Renewal of Christian Philosophy The Official Sanction of the Church: Leo XIII (1810-1903). Aeternae Patris. The Development of Neo-Scholasticism: Gilson (1884-1978). Maritain (1882-1973).

Review for Final Examination

Reading Assignment: Classics of Western Philosophy: Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols (selections)

Class 15: May 5, 2011

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Final Examination 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm—Credit Students Only

I couldn’t make any judgment on the Summa, except to say this: I read it every night before I go to bed. If my mother were to come in during the process and say, ‘Turn off that light. It’s late,’ I with lifted finger and broad bland beatific expression, would reply, ‘On the contrary, I answer that the light, being eternal and limitless, cannot be turned off. Shut your eyes,’ or some such thing. In any case I feel I can personally guarantee that St. Thomas loved God because for the life of me I cannot help loving St. Thomas.”

—Flannery O’Connor, The Habit of Being

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COPYRIGHT © 2008 RICHARD C. CHIASSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

COPYRIGHT © 2008-2011 RICHARD C. CHIASSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

COPYRIGHT © 2008-2011 RICHARD C. CHIASSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Documents

History of Philosophy - Aquinas Institute-Lafayette · Web viewHistory of Philosophy (PHI 206) 3 credits Spring 2011 Aquinas Institute Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana Instructor: