This course is a survey of the significant thinkers, movements, and ideas in Western philosophy from the early modern period up to the early 20th century.
Attention is given to the historical unfolding of significant issues in philosophical investigation.
The approach that this course will take is multi-leveled. At one level, we will systematically study the positions and frameworks of the leading philosophers of this time period. However, because this is not simply a history course, we will also be concerned with the strengths, the weaknesses, and the implications of a philosopher's position. Furthermore, this will not be merely a study of isolated systems, nor their chronological enumeration. Finally, we will treat each philosopher as our contemporary, rather than as a historical museum piece.