PHIL 724: Hume
(J. Bricke) F94
Texts:
David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature [T]. Edited by L. A. Selby-Bigge. 2nd edition with text revised by P. H. Nidditch. Oxford University Press 1978. (Originally published 1739 (Books I and II) and 1740 (Book III).)
David Hume. Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding and Concerning the Principles of Morals [EHU, EPM]. Edited by L. A. Selby-Bigge. 3rd edition with text revised by P. H. Nidditch. Oxford University Press 1975. (Originally published 1748 (EHU) 1751 (EPM).)
Tentative Syllabus:
8/26 Introduction.
9/2 Scepticism, Perception and Physical Objects.
T: I,iv,2,4,7. [50pp]
EHU: XII,1-3. [20pp]
9/9 Mind and Body; Mental Dispositions.
T: Introduction; I,i, 1-7; I,iii,15; I,iv,3,5; II,i,1. [55pp]
EHU: I-III; VII,1. [33pp]
9/16 Selves, Substrates and Substances.
T: I,iv, 3,5,6; Appendix (pp.633-636). [40pp]
9/23 The Idea of One's Self.
T: I,iv,2 (esp. pp. 187-210); I,iv,6; Appendix (pp.633-636). [47pp]
9/30 Concept, Thought and Judgment.
T: I,i,7; I,ii,6; I,iii,1-10; Appendix (pp.623-629,637). [74pp]
EHU: IV,V. [30pp]
10/7* Introspection and Sensory Awareness.
T: Introduction [7pp]
EHU: I [12pp]
[A list of specific citations will also be provided.]
10/14 Reasons and Actions.
T: II,iii,3; III,i,1 (pp. 455-459) [6pp]
EPM: Appendix 1 (esp. p.293) [1p]
10/21 Desires, Volitions and Affections.
T: II,i,1-12; II,ii,1-3,6,9; II,iii,1 (esp.p.399),9; Appendix (pp.632-633). [96pp]
EHU: VII,1. [13pp]
EPM: Appendix 2. [8pp]
10/28 Against Moral Cognitivism.
T: III,i,1-2. [22pp]
EPM: I; Appendix 1. [17pp]
11/4* Moral Sentiments.
T: III,ii,2 (esp. pp. 484,498-501), 5; III,iii,1. [32pp]
EPM: V;IX. [37pp]
[Also, consult references to sympathy in the index of T, and especially T II,i,11.] [8+pp]
11/11 From Moral Desire to Convention.
T: III,ii,1,5. [7pp]
11/18 From Convention to Moral Desire.
T: III,ii,2-7,12. [58pp]
EPM: III,IX. [37pp]
11/25 Thanksgiving break.
12/2 Moral Agents.
T: II,iii,1-2. [14pp]
EHU: VIII. [24pp]
[Also, review readings for `The Idea of One's Self', above.]
Requirements:
(1) Class participation (20%)
(2) Four short analyses of arguments, on assigned topics, due on underlined dates (20%)
(3) Substantial term paper on mutually agreed topic, due Monday, December 5 (60%)
Note: Two dates in the above syllabus have been marked with an asterisk. The topic specified for the first of these dates may be omitted as unmanageable. If it is, we shall spend two meetings on the topic specified for the second of these dates, and will change the dates for other topics accordingly.
Office Hours: Tuesdays (2:15-4:00), Wednesdays (2:15-3:15), Thursdays (2:15-3:30), by appointment.