Dr. Jonny Cottrell Email: jcott@yorku.ca

Office Location: S404A Ross Building – South Wing

Office Hours (in person, drop in): Mondays and Thursdays, 2:30–3:20pm

This course will explore the philosophical systems developed by three Early Modern thinkers: John Locke (English, 1632–1704), George Berkeley (Irish, 1685–1753) and David Hume (Scottish, 1711–1776), who are often called “the British Empiricists”.

We will critically evaluate these philosophers’ answers to various questions about perception, the physical world, mind and matter, personal identity, knowledge, and God, including: What is sense-perception? Do our senses allow us to perceive material objects, or just images in our own minds? Either way, do our senses give us knowledge of the world around us, and if so, how? Do we have any ideas or knowledge innately? What is the relationship between mind and matter? What makes you, today, the same person as a child who existed eighteen years ago (or however long it was)? Can we know that there’s a God, or at least find good reason to believe that there is?

Throughout the course, we’ll ask what (if anything) makes Locke’s, Berkeley’s and

Hume’s answers to these questions distinctively “empiricist”, and whether we should accept any form of empiricism today.

Technical requirements for taking the course: Reading assignments and study materials will be shared via eClass, so you will need access to a computer or other device with internet access.

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help: Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

To determine Internet connection and speed, there are online tests, such as Speedtest, that can be run.

Times and locations: This course meets in person, twice a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30am–1:00pm, in the Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies Building (aka HNE), room 035.

Office hours: I will hold two in-person, drop-in office hours each week: Mondays and Thursdays, 2:30–3:20pm in the Ross Building – South Wing room S404A.

• Most readings are available on a website called ‘Some Texts from Early Modern Philosophy’: earlymoderntexts.com. Specific links will be provided on eClass.
• Other texts, not on this website, will be posted as PDFs on

Assessment will be based on attendance, and on three written exams: two midterm exams taken in class, and one final exam taken during the final exam period. These components are weighted as follows:

• Attendance: 10%
• Midterm Exam 1, on Locke (Feb 6): 20%
• Midterm Exam 2, on Locke and Berkeley (Mar 6): 30%
• Final Exam, on Locke, Berkeley and Hume (Date TBA): 40%

All exams will be closed-book: no notes, books, electronic devices or any other reference materials will be allowed. Study guides will be provided in advance for each exam. The last lecture of the term will be a review meeting for the final exam.

This course takes place in person. Reading assignments and study materials will be provided via eClass.

The main goal is to empower students to think philosophically about the topics we’ll cover, and about other topics they’ll encounter outside this class. The course will focus on teaching students how to think through these topics for themselves, not on teaching them what to think about them.

More particularly, this course aims to help students to…

• Recall concepts and distinctions that are crucial to the philosophical work of Locke, Berkeley and Hume, including idea, knowledge, innate acquired, intuition vs. sensation, demonstrative vs. probable reasoning, and others
• Explain these concepts and distinctions in their own words
• Explain some of the central philosophical views presented in Locke’s, Berkeley’s and Hume’s works
• Explain some of the interconnections among these views
• Identify these philosophers’ arguments in support of their views
• Analyze these arguments
• Evaluate these arguments
• Formulate their own philosophical views on some of the topics we’ll study
• Devise arguments in support of these views

Course policies

Laptops and Tablets: I allow the use of laptops or tablets for taking notes, and for referring to the assigned readings. But I do not encourage it. Instead, I recommend that you print hardcopies of the readings and bring them to class with you. In class, you can then focus on following the lectures and discussions; taking handwritten notes on the central points; actively raising questions when you find that you can’t follow the lecture or someone else’s contribution; and actively contributing to discussions yourself. If you must use a laptop or tablet during class, you may not browse the web or read/send text messages or other social media during our meetings. This kind of multi-tasking is hugely distracting to students sitting beside and behind you; it’s hugely distracting to you (even if it doesn’t seem to you like it is); and it’s rude and disrespectful to me and to your classmates.

Other electronic devices: No cellphones, smartwatches, or any electronic devices other than laptops and tablets are allowed in class. These devices must be silenced and put away before each meeting, and may not be taken out until the end of the meeting.

Recording: You may not record our class meetings, or take photographs in class, without prior express permission from me and from the Philosophy Department. To request the use of assistive technology as an accommodation, please contact Student Accessibility Services (see ‘Accommodations’, below). Please note that any recordings (i) should be used only for educational purposes and as a means for enhancing accessibility; (ii) may not be copied or distributed outside the class (these acts can violate not only copyright laws but also FIPPA); and (iii) must be destroyed after the end of classes.

Grading: The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.). Assignments and tests will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g. A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)

For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergr Calendar - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/2010-2011/academic/index.htm

Missed Tests: Students with a documented reason for missing a course test, such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter) may request a make-up test from the Course Instructor. Further extensions or accommodation will require students to submit a formal petition to the Faculty.

Accommodations: If you need any accommodations, please register with Student Accessibility Services as early as possible: https://students.yorku.ca/accessibility

Also, please inform me of any accommodations that you need during our class meetings.

Academic Integrity: York students are required to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and they are subject to the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty: http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/academic-honesty-senate- policy-on/

The Policy affirms the responsibility of faculty members to foster acceptable standards of academic conduct and of the student to abide by such standards.

There is also an academic integrity website with comprehensive information about academic honesty and how to find resources at York to help improve students’ research and writing skills, and cope with University life. Students are expected to review the materials on the Academic Integrity website at: http://www.yorku.ca/academicintegrity/