Professor Ian Jarvie

jarvie@yorku.ca

Office Location: S439A Ross Building

Phone Number:  (416) 736-2100 Ext. 77503

Office Hours:  Thursdays 1:00 – 2:00 or by appointment

This course will introduce central problems in metaphysics and epistemology by way of the philosophies of three of the most studied empiricists of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries: John Locke (1632-1704), Bishop George Berkeley (1685-1753), and David Hume (1711-1776). We will examine and critically evaluate their solutions to the following problems: how does our sense-experience yield knowedge; and what are the consequences for our philosophical world view of The Scientific Revolution.

1. John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (Hackett, 1996). ISBN 13:978-0-87220-216-0 Selected chapters.
2. George Berkeley, A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge, ed. by K. Winkler (Hackett, 1979) ISBN-13: 978-0-915145-39-3 Selected chapters.

3.         David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (Hackett, 1977). ISBN 13: 978-0-87220-229-0  Selected chapters.

In-class Test (Feb.7th, 25%);
First Essay (due Mar 5th, 25%);
Final essay (due Apr.14, 25%);
Final Exam (25%).

Two lecture/discussions per week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30am to 1pm in Ross N203.  Please do not check your social media accounts during class time.

• Actively read a text for meaning.
• Accurately summarize a text.
• Critically evaluate a text.
• Critically evaluate arguments.

Construct well-thought-out arguments.

There is a Moodle page for this course.