PHIL 421.001 – Rationalism

Instructor: Alan Nelson. This course meets R 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. in CW 213.

An intensive study of broadly rationalist philosophy in the early modern period. The main focus will be on the enormously influential philosophy of Descartes, but developments in Spinoza and Leibniz will be covered at length. This is the first half of a sequence that continues with PHIL 422 in the Spring, but either course can be taken independently. It is recommended that students have some background in the history of philosophy or in metaphysics and epistemology. PHIL 421 this semester is open to graduate students, majors, and minors in Philosophy. Others need permission to enroll.

Graduate Distribution Credit: Modern History

PHIL graduate students: Please refer to #9 in our Handbook for further information regarding distribution requirements.