PHL3880

Origins of Modern Philosophy B: Hume

(ART)

Aubrey Townsend

6 points + 2 hours per week + OCDL (every semester) + Prerequisites: PHL2110

Synopsis: Hume's Treatise of Human Nature was the culmination of the empiricist tradition in the 18th century. Among the topics Hume discussed were, causation, induction, the nature of belief and judgment, the existence of the material objects and their relation to the mind, and personal identity. In all these areas he developed an original and often disconcerting position that has profoundly influenced later philosophical theory. The unit will examine the major topics in Hume's position in the context of the debate between rationalist and empiricist outlooks, and follow some of its themes into contemporary philosophy. www.arts.monash.edu.au/phil/undergraduate/lateryear.html

Assessment: Two exercises (750 words each): 20% + Essay (2000 words): 40% + Seminar participation: 10% + Test (1 hour): 30% + Distance Education: The exercises and seminar participation will be replaced by contributions to the electronic discussion group + On-campus students have the option or proceeding in the same way as de students