OBS 116 History of Modern Western Philosophy

Program :

Baccalaureate in Philosophy

Semester :

S4

Credits :

05

Teacher :

Rev. Dr Sankoorikal Martin

Aim

This course starts with an introduction to the main happenings in the western world which triggered the dawn of modern philosophy, viz., Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment. During this period there is radical shift in the worldview of the western world, from heliocentric to geocentric, from God-centeredness to Man-centeredness, from religious to secular, from social to individualistic. The radical change in the perspectives reflected in the modern philosophy and in its development. This course examines in some detail the rationalist (Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz) and empiricist (Locke, Berkeley and Hume) philosophies and their synthesis attempted by Kant. The course aims not only at a survey of these philosophies but also invites the students to do a critical study of each philosopher with a reference to their vocation and life.

References

  1. Copleston, F., A History of Philosophy – Vols. IV, V and VI.
  2. Russell, B., History of Philosophy
  3. Harper Collins College Outline, History of Philosophy, pp. 109 – 311
  4. Stumpf, S., Philosophy: History and problems (Part Three)
  5. Routledge History of Philosophy Vol. V (British Philosophy and Enlightenment)
  6. Lodge, R., The Great Thinkers (pp. 83-275)