Philosophy 520: Studies in Modern Philosophy Spring 1998
Topic: Three flavors of phenomenalism: Berkeley, Leibniz, Kant
Professor Edwin McCann
Office: MHP-107/MHP-205, mc. 0451
Tel.: 213-740-5169 Fax: 213-740-5174 E-mail: mccann@rcf.usc.edu
We will study three different varieties of phenomenalism developed in the eighteenth century (or more precisely, between 1695 and 1787), focusing on the similarities and differences among them regarding three central points: (1) the nature of bodies, and the relation between bodies and space and between changes of state in bodies and time; (2) the theory of causality, and specifically, the causality of bodies and their states or qualities; and (3) the nature of the self, and the status and content of self-knowledge or self-consciousness. It is, of course, a point of contention whether Kant is properly classed as a phenomenalist; I'll argue that Kant's transcendental idealism is in fact a complicated and sophisticated variety of phenomenalism.
Books for the course (in University Bookstore)
1. M.R. Ayers, ed. Philosophical Writings of Berkeley
2. D. Garber and R. Ariew, eds. and trs., Leibniz: Philosophical Writings (Hackett)
3. Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason (tr. Kemp Smith) (St. Martin's)
Course requirements
1. Regular attendance at course meetings and participation in discussion.
2. One 5-7 page paper prospectus and literature review due March 27
3. One 12-20 page paper due May 1
Schedule of topics and readings (tentative; mutable; porous; subject to change)
Friday, January 9 Introduction and overview.
Friday, January 16 Framework for discussion of issues. Reading: Sellars, 'Phenomenalism'
Friday, January 23 Berkeley: arguments for immaterialism. Reading: Principles, Introduction, Sections 1-49; Three Dialogues Dialogues I and II.
Friday, January 30 Berkeley: space, time, and the mechanical philosophy. Reading: Principles Sections 50-156; Three Dialogues Dialogue III; De Motu
Friday, February 6 Commentary: Winkler, Wilson, Hausman and Hausman
Friday, February 13 Leibniz: New System
Friday, February 20 Leibniz: Phenomenalism in the Monadology, New Essays
Friday, February 27 Leibniz: Leibniz-Clarke correspondence
Friday, March 6 Commentary: Adams, Hoffman, Hartz
Friday, March 13 No class-Spring recess
Friday, March 20 Kant: Aesthetic (space and time; transcendental idealism)
Friday, March 27 Kant: Amphiboly of the Concepts of Reflection
Friday, April 3 Kant: Paralogisms (esp. 4th Paralogism in A)
Friday, April 10 Kant: Transcendental Deduction in B and Refutation of Idealism
Friday, April 17 Commentary: Allison, Ayers, Wilson, Strawson
Friday, April 24 Wrapup and conclusions [Course evaluation held this day]