PHI 350 - Topics in the History of Philosophy
Department: Philosophy
Description: Intensive examination of an important figure, movement, or theme in the history of philosophy, e.g. Plato, British Empiricism, freewill/determinism.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PHI 254 and 255
Graduate Level Course: This course is approved for graduate credit
New Course Catalog Information Effective 05-19-2025
Current Offerings
Fall 2025
- 001 - Lecture (In Person): T Th 3:35 PM - 4:50 PM , Todd Stewart 3.00 hour(s)
Dates: 08/18/2025 - 12/06/2025
Location: Adlai E. Stevenson Hall 227A (STV 227A)
Instructor: Todd Stewart
Class Notes: COURSE TITLE: Hume's Philosophical Legacy COURSE DESCRIPTION: A close examination of book 1 of Hume’s seminal A Treatise of Human Nature, “Of Miracles,” and The Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, along with an examination of the continuing philosophical significance of some of Hume’s ideas. The Treatise is regarded as one of the most important philosophical works in human history, and is one of the high points of empiricist philosophy in the modern period. We will discuss some important competing interpretations of Hume’s work (e.g., Hume the skeptic vs. Hume the naturalist). While the emphasis will be primarily on understanding Hume’s work, if students are interested, we might dip into some more recent literatures showing the influence of Hume on contemporary philosophy. This course will be run as a seminar.
Textbooks have not been finalized for section.