Course Information
PHIL 084 Colloquium:
Science and Religious Heresy in Descartes and Spinoza
Monday 1:15
Science Center 104
C. Raff
This colloquim will critically assess current philosophical interpretations of Descartes and Spinoza. Descartes's philosophy is standardly portrayed as a project of accommodating 17th Century science to traditional religious authority. Spinoza's philosophy, according to an influential newly revived interpretation, advances a version of atheism that contributes a basis for modern democracy that entirely rejects religion. In addition to Descartes's Meditations on First Philosophy and Spinoza's Ethics, readings include Spinoza's 1670 work that responds to his excommunication from the Jewish community as well as the latest philosophical commentaries.
This course requires an intro level prerequisite for freshmen and sophomores. Please contact the instructor for additional information - Professor Charles Raff (craff1)
PHIL 021: Social & Politcial Philosophy
MWF 10:30 - 11:20 Papazian 324
K. Thomason
The focus of this course is to explore the relationship between the individual and the state. We will examine three different conceptions of individuals and the three different theories of the state to which they give rise: political realism, political liberalism, and critical political theory. First we examine the historical foundations of these three theories. Then we will read contemporary work that explores the implications of each. We will see how each framework deals with questions about property rights, state power, taxation, punishment, and public policy.
(Eligible for PEAC credit - students need to make arrangement with instructor to do special assignment for PEAC credit.)
This course requires an intro level prerequisite for freshmen and sophomores. Please contact the instructor for additional information - Professor Krista Thomason (kthomas2)
