Descartes’ Meditations is one of the most significant texts in Western thought. It marks the beginning of the modern turn to the subject, and the introduction of the natural sciences as the paradigm for all knowledge. The world view that developed from Descartes’ Meditations continues to have a profound influence on contemporary Western culture. This unit begins by a detailed critical reading of the Meditations. It then examines excerpts from major texts by authors including Hume and Kant – two other pivotal figures in the shaping of early modern philosophy.

Prerequisites:

• second level: two philosophy units at first level
• third level: two philosophy units at second level

Requirements:
3 hours per week

Assessment:

• second level: two 2,000 word essays - 2 x 50%
  
• third level: two 2,500 word essays - 2 x 50%

Bibliography:

• Biffle, Christopher. A Guided Tour of René Descartes’ “Meditations on First Philosophy.” With a complete translation of the Meditations by Ronald Rubin. 2nd ed. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, 1996.
• Brenner, William H. Elements of Modern Philosophy: Descartes through Kant. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1989.
• Copleston, Frederick C. A History of Philosophy. Vols 4–6. London: Burns & Oates, 1958–60.
• Descartes, René. Meditations on First Philosophy.
• Hume, David. A Treatise of Human Nature.
• Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Pure Reason.
• ———. Prolegomena to any Future Metaphysics that can Qualify as a Science. Translated and edited by Paul A. Guyer and Allen W. Wood. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.
• Wilson, Catherine. Descartes’ Meditations: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.