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HU Credits:
2
Degree/Cycle:
1st degree (Bachelor)
Responsible Department:
Philosophy
Semester:
2nd Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Noa Shein
Coordinator Office Hours:
Teaching Staff:
Dr. Noa Shein
Course/Module description:
Prior to the publication of the Meditations, Descartes sent out copies to various colleagues and asked for their comments. Descartes collected these questions and criticisms and wrote replies. The published version of the Meditations included as an appendix 6 sets of objections along with Descartes’ replies. In the course we will look closely at this exchange as well as the fascinating correspondence between Descartes and Princess Elizabth, and that of Descartes and Henry More. This careful inspection will provide us with front row seats, so to speak, to the main philosophical debates of the early modern period that will come to shape subsequent philosophical discussions. These include: How can one advance in metaphysical investigations? What is the nature knowledge from the senses? What is the nature of mathematical knowledge? What is the mind? What is science?
Course/Module aims:
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Close and critical reading of philosophical texts of the early modern period.
2. Articulation of research questions.
3. Writing a critical paper
Attendance requirements(%):
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Course/Module Content:
1. Who are the objectors and why was the correspondence important for Descartes? Why is it important for us?
2. The method of the Meditations
3. The method of doubt
4. The distinction between mind and body
5. The cogito
6. The idea of God
7. The proofs for God’s existence
8. The Cartesian Circle
9. The Atheist Geometrician
10. The clarity and distinctness rule
11. The union of mind and body
12. Extension, bodies and God
Required Reading:
Descartes, Rene. Meditation +Objection and Replies
Descartes, Correspondence with Princes Elizabth of Bohemia
Descartes, Correspondence with Henry More
Additional Reading Material:
Grading Scheme :
Essay / Project / Final Assignment / Home Exam / Referat 45 %
Active Participation / Team Assignment 10 %
Submission assignments during the semester: Exercises / Essays / Audits / Reports / Forum / Simulation / others 30 %
Presentation / Poster Presentation / Lecture 15 %
Additional information:
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