Major · Philosophy · Semester 6 · TY BA · 4 credits · 100 marks · 60 hours
Module 1: Rationalism
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a
Rene Descartes: Cartesian Method, nature of ‘self’ and not-self in terms of substance (Substance Dualism), Interactionism
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b
Baruch Spinoza: Concept of substance and modes, Monism, Parallelism
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c
G.W. Leibniz: Basic constituent of reality, Pluralism (monadology), Pre-established Harmony
Module 2: Empiricism
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a
John Locke: Rejection of innate ideas, classification of ideas, Representative theory of perception
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b
George Berkeley: critique of Locke’s representative theory, esse est percipi (to be is to perceive)
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c
David Hume: Theory of knowledge, Rejection of self as substance, Theory of causation
Module 3: Critical Philosophy: Immanuel Kant
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a
Copernican revolution
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b
Distinctions (i) Analytic-Synthetic propositions (ii) apriori-aposteriori propositions
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c
Reconciliation of rationalism and empiricism: (i) role of the faculty of sensibility and (ii) role of the faculty of understanding.
Module 4: Later Philosophical Traditions
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a
F. H. Bradley: Absolute Idealism: the theory of Internal Relations.
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b
Pragmatism: C. S. Peirce: (i) four methods of establishing beliefs (ii) Meaning of ‘pragmatism’ as involving ‘practical consequences.
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c
Logical positivism: (i) A. J. Ayer- verification principle (ii) Rudolf Carnap- elimination of metaphysics through linguistic analysis (iii) critical appraisal.
Reference Books
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1
Ayer, A.J. Language, Truth and Logic (London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1960)
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2
Bennett, Jonathan. Locke Berkeley Hume: Central Themes (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1971)
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3
Copleston, Frederick. A History of Philosophy Vol IV, V and VI (Doubleday: Image Books, 1985)
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4
Falckenberg, Richard. History of Modern Philosophy (Calcutta: Progressive Publishers) Gardiner, Patrick. Kierkegaard (OUP, 1988)
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5
Garforth, F.W. The Scope of Philosophy (London: Longman, 1971)
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6
Hampshire, Stuart. Spinoza (Penguin Books)
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7
Hartnack, Justus. Kant’s Theory of Knowledge (Macmillan, 1968)
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8
Jones,W.T. Kant to Wittgenstein and Sartre: A History of Western Philosophy (Hartcourt, Brace and World, Inc, 1969)
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9
O’Connor D.J. John Locke (New York: Dover Publications, 1967)
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10
Saw, R. L. Leibniz (Penguin Books, 1954)
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11
Thilly, F. A History of Western Philosophy (SBW Publishers, New Delhi, 1993)
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12
Warnock, G.J. Berkeley (Penguin Books, 1953)
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13
Wright, W.K. A History of Modern Philosophy (New York: The Macmillan Company,1941)
