PHIL414/514 FA25
British Empiricism (PHIL414/514)
Dr. Marie Jayasekera
Tuesdays & Thursdays · 2:00pm–3:15pm · LA5–149
In this course, we will investigate not only the commonalities but also the significant differences in the approaches and views of four British empiricists: John Locke, George Berkeley, David Hume, and John Stuart Mill. In addition to seeing how they understood the view that sense experience is the ultimate source of our concepts and knowledge, we will explore differences in their aims and projects as well as applications of their empiricism to various metaphysical and sociopolitical issues, such as personal identity, freedom, agency, and individuality.
Students taking this course should be willing to:
— work through complex historical texts to identify, articulate, and analyze arguments and positions in them;
— actively participate in class by contributing their thoughts and questions about the texts, arguments, and philosophical issues;
— work together with others in small and large groups during class to reach a better understanding of the material;
— and to engage actively in discussion with the material and the ideas of the other participants in the class.