Professor Matthew Leisinger

mleising@yorku.ca

This course will consist in an in-depth study of John Locke’s An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Locke’s philosophical program in the Essay is to argue, on the one hand, that human understanding really doesn’t extend very far—this is Locke’s famed epistemic humility—while at the same time showing, on the other hand, that our ignorance does not threaten anything of practical significance. We may be ignorant about the nature of substance, about real essences, and even about whether we possess immortal souls, but Locke insists that we can know what persons are and how they persist over time, what freedom is and that we do sometimes act freely, and what we ought morally to do. The course will fall into roughly two parts. In the first few weeks, we will embark on a crash course through some of the main ideas of the Essay, getting an advanced introduction to Locke’s views about ideas, qualities, substance, essence, and knowledge. In the rest of the course, we will then focus more narrowly on Locke’s views about persons, freedom, and moral agency.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

This is an advanced undergraduate seminar and will rely significantly upon seminar discussion and student participation. Since the course will be conducted remotely, this means that, in order to fully participate in the course, students will be expected to use video conferencing software (Zoom) and, preferably, to appear on video. As a result, students will need the use of a computer with a microphone and (preferably) a webcam (and/or a smart device with these features) as well as a stable, higher-speed Internet connection.

Times and locations:

Please note that this is a course that depends on remote teaching and learning. There will be no in-person interactions or activities on campus. We will be meeting remotely via Zoom every Thursday from 2:30 pm ET to 5:30 pm ET (although we likely will not go for the entire allotted time).

Virtual office hours:

The instructor will be available for virtual office hours via Zoom, both by appointment and regularly at a time TBD.

Required text: John Locke. An Essay concerning Human Understanding. Edited by Peter H. Nidditch. Oxford: Oxford UP. ISBN: 9780198245957.

Additional readings will be posted to Moodle.

10%    Attendance and participation

10%    Reading notes (marked for completion)

20%    Presentation and write-up (~1000 words)

20%    Short paper (~1500 words)

40%    Final paper (~3000 words)

This course will be conducted synchronously, with weekly live virtual meetings via Zoom video conferencing software scheduled every Thursday from 2:30 pm ET to 5:30 pm ET (although we likely will not go for the entire allotted time). Students will be expected to attend each scheduled meeting via Zoom and to participate in each meeting. Attendance and participation in these virtual meetings is an essential part of the course. Unexcused absences from virtual meetings and/or the failure to participate in these meetings will negatively impact participation grades.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Explain some of the main ideas and arguments of Locke’s Essay
• Engage critically with secondary literature on Locke’s Essay
• Write a substantial research paper in the history of philosophy
• Present and discuss philosophical ideas in a constructive and rigorous way

Course policies:

Grading:  The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.).  Assignments will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g.  A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)

(For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/2010-2011/academic/index.htm

Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not only well, but on time.  Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due date specified for the assignment.  Assignments are to be handed in by email to the Instructor.

Lateness Penalty: Late submissions are not accepted for reading notes. Students may request a one week extension on any other assignment, but late submissions will not be accepted after this one week extension. Exceptions for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Instructor but will require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor’s letter).