Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 240"
COURSE NAME: "Modern Philosophy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: David Levy
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces you to modern philosophers’ revolutionary understandings of human beings’ place in the world. In a world challenged by new scientific discoveries and profound changes in society, these philosophers question their predecessors’ appeals to natural and supernatural order, and instead place the human mind, self, and society at the center of their philosophies. The radically different views about human knowledge and morality that they propose lead to rich debates over the senses and reason, matter and the mind, freedom and responsibility, and the self and community – all of which have profoundly influenced subsequent philosophy, and even society at large. To explore these views and debates, we will study the philosophies of crucial figures like Descartes, Hume, and Kant.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course will focus on the political teachings of two giants of modern philosophy, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Locke's Second Treatise of Government and Letter on Toleration and Rousseau's On the Social Contract are not only profound and timeless examinations of human nature and society, they have also been immensely influential in establishing in the Western mind such principles as individual freedom, equality, government by consent, the right to resist tyranny, and religious toleration. We believe in these principles today but rarely do we ask why we believe in them. By studying these classic texts we can uncover the half-forgotten justifications of our opinions. We can thus hope to understand ourselves better and to become more thoughtful citizens.

Yet these two philosophers, while agreeing on many points, also have important differences: they propose, in fact, alternative visions of the meaning of freedom and the nature of a good society. We are thus forced to examine their arguments critically and try to decide which ones are more persuasive.

Among the questions we will consider are the following:

· What is freedom, how can it be secured, and how is it lost?

· What is the best form of government?

· Must the members of a free society be virtuous and patriotic, or is it enough for them to be rationally self-interested?

· How far are inequalities of wealth compatible with freedom?

· What is the proper relation between religion and politics? Does a free society need religion, and if so what kind?

The riches contained in these texts cannot be acquired by us without considerable effort. Their arguments are complex, their language and style unfamiliar, their sentences dense with meaning. They frequently make use of rhetoric and irony. We must learn to read them slowly, patiently, and repeatedly, like a cow chewing its cud.

Our study of these texts will be a team effort: everyone will be expected to come to class having completed the assigned reading, having reflected on the issues it raises, and ready to contribute meaningfully to class discussion.

A note on the use of so-called Artificial Intelligence (AI):

There may be areas of research in which the use of "generative AI" is necessary and important, but this course is not one of them. Our goal here is to learn to do our own reading, writing, and thinking. This is admittedly hard work, especially when we are grappling with great thinkers like Locke and Rousseau. But if we try to outsource this work to a machine, we do a disservice to ourselves. Only we can cultivate our minds: nobody and nothing can do it for us.

If you do wish to quote, paraphrase, or borrow ideas from an AI-generated text, for any work you do in this course, you must cite that text in accordance with JCU guidelines: https://johncabot.libguides.com/artificial-intelligence/citing. Using AI without proper citation will be considered plagiarism and result in a failing grade. If you wish to use an AI-assisted grammar tool such as Grammarly, consult me before you do so.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Gain experience in the art of careful reading. (In the words of Sherlock Holmes: "Never trust to general
impressions, but concentrate yourself upon details," for "the little things are infinitely the most important.")

2. Improve your capacity to think, speak and write clearly and intelligently.

3. Gain an understanding of the arguments, philosophical and rhetorical, through which Locke and Rousseau originated much of our modern thinking about government, freedom, rights, religion, and related matters.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
The Major Political Writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau	Jean-Jacques Rousseau	University of Chicago Press	9780226151311	PQ 2034.S26		Hard Copy	Almost Corner Bookstore
Second Treatise of Government	John Locke	Norton	978-0-393-42892-6			Hard Copy	Almost Corner Bookstore

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Locke on Toleration	John Locke	Cambridge	9780511918391

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number
Two Treatises of Government	John Locke	Cambridge	0521357306	JC 153.L8
Second Treatise of Government	John Locke	Crofts	0882951254	JC153.L85
History of Political Philosophy	Strauss and Cropsey	Chicago	9780226777085	JA81 .H58 1987

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
class participation	(1) Students are expected to attend all classes (barring illness or other compelling reason), to have done the assigned reading carefully, and to come to class prepared to contribute meaningfully to class discussions. You must use the assigned editions of the texts and you must bring a hard copy of the reading to each class. (You will need to purchase two books and print out 43 pages.) The use of electronic devices in class is not permitted. (2) A written reflection consisting of one well-crafted paragraph on the assigned reading must be turned in at the beginning of every class, except when a paper is due. (If you are absent you may turn in two reflections the following class.) The reflection should interpret or analyze a section of the reading or pose a good question, and must demonstrate that you have studied the text carefully and thoughtfully. It is always useful to ask: what is author's main point in this chapter? Students will sometimes be asked to share their reflections orally with the rest of the class. Needless to say, your reflections, like all your academic productions, must be entirely your own work; if you make use of outside sources you must give proper credit. (3) Be punctual and do not leave the room during class except in cases of emergencies. Eating in class is not permitted (drinking is OK).	20
3 papers	Approximately 1200 words each. Late papers will be assessed a penalty unless an extension has been granted in advance. You must cite in your paper the assigned editions and translations of the readings; papers which fail to do so will not be accepted or your letter grade will be substantially reduced. Please read carefully the university's policy on academic honesty and plagiarism. Please also note that papers will be submitted to Turnitin (a plagiarism detection program).	60
final exam	Essay questions on the assigned readings.	20

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work of this quality provides a coherent, orderly argument based on a very careful reading of the relevant texts and a solid understanding of the relevant issues. The student displays superior reasoning skills and has done a good deal of original thinking about the material. He or she knows how to raise important questions about the text and to evaluate possible answers to them. The student writes very clearly and has a near-perfect command of English usage and grammar. (Appropriate allowances are made for those for whom English is not a first language.)
BThis is a good level of performance. The student displays a capacity for careful reading and good reasoning. The work reflects some original thinking and is not simply a repetition of lecture material and readings. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions. The student writes clearly and has a good command of English usage and grammar.
CThis is an acceptable, or fair, level of performance. The student provides answers that are clear but limited, consisting mainly in a repetition of the text or lectures. The student has some ability to write clearly and correctly.
DThe student fails to demonstrate a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and/or irrelevant points included. The paper is poorly organized, and the student shows limited ability to write clearly and correctly.
FThis work fails to show any significant knowledge of the texts and the issues. Most of the material is irrelevant or inaccurate. There is no coherent argument and the student shows little ability to write clearly and correctly. This grade is also given for an act of plagiarism or other form of academic dishonesty.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Part One: John Locke

A. Second Treatise of Government

Wed 22 Jan -

· Life of Locke, pp. vii-x

· John Locke, Second Treatise of Government, Preface and chaps. 1-2.

Mon 27 Jan - Locke, Second Treatise, chaps. 3-4

Wed 29 Jan - Locke, Second Treatise, chap. 5

Mon 3 Feb - Locke, Second Treatise, chap. 6

Wed 5 Feb –

· Locke, Second Treatise, chap. 7.

· Recommended reading: Ruth Grant, “John Locke on Women and the Family” (on Moodle or via the JCU library in John Locke, Two Treatises of Government and a Letter on Concerning Toleration, ed. Ian Shapiro, 2003), especially pp. 290-93 and note 16 on p. 304.

Fri 7 Feb - Locke, Second Treatise, chap. 8

Mon 10 Feb - Locke, Second Treatise, chaps. 9-12

Wed 12 Feb - Locke, Second Treatise

· chap. 13 sections 149, 150, 155

· chap. 14

· Receive assignment for first paper.

Mon 17 Feb - Locke, Second Treatise:

· chap. 16, sections 175-183

· chap. 18

· chap. 19, sections 211-12, 220, 223-30, 243

B. Letter on Toleration

Please print out this text from Moodle, through p. 43.

(The original volume is available digitally through the JCU library: Richard Vernon, ed., Locke on Toleration, 2010.)

Wed 19 Feb – Locke, Letter Concerning Toleration, pp. 3-12 (until the section beginning, “Duties of

Mutual Toleration”)

Mon 24 Feb – Locke, Letter Concerning Toleration, pp. 12-21. First paper due.

Wed 26 Feb - Locke, Letter Concerning Toleration, pp. 22-43 (until the section on p. 43 entitled

“Postscript: heresy and schism”)

· You may omit p. 22-top of p. 26 (until the first full paragraph, beginning “You now see the difference”)

· You may also omit pp. 28-30 (until the section on p. 30 entitled “Duties of rulers…”)

Mon 3 Mar – A Lockean in America: the case of Thomas Jefferson. (Please print out readings from

Moodle)

· Jefferson, draft of the Declaration of Independence. Read at least the following:

o p. 1, first two paragraphs

o p. 3, the paragraph in italics beginning, “He has waged cruel war…”

· Jefferson, A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom (just the text of the actual bill, p. 1)

· Jefferson, “Query XVII” from Notes on the State of Virginia

Part Two: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Wed 5 Mar –

· Recommended: life of Rousseau, pp. xvi-xix

· Discourse on Inequality: frontispiece, title page, dedicatory letter to the citizens of Geneva (pp. 41-50).

Mon 17 Mar – pp. 51-63. Receive assignment for second paper.

Wed 19 Mar – pp. 65-73 (stop before the paragraph that beings, “Whatever moralists may say…”).

Also read Note IX from p. 73, pp. 127-133.

Mon 24 Mar – pp. 73-85 (stop before the paragraph that begins, “With such inactive passions…”).

Recommended: Note XI from p. 73, pp. 141-145, on Locke.

Wed 26 Mar – Evening lecture by Prof. Giovanni Giorgini, “Locke on International Relations,” 6 pm.

Second paper due.

Mon 31 Mar – pp. 85-94 (stop before the paragraph that begins, “In this new state…”)

Wed 2 Apr. – pp. 94-104.

Mon 7 Apr – The Social Contract

· Title page (p. 153)

· Book I, chaps. 1-4. When reading chap. 3, consult the beginning of chapter 13 of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament.

Wed 9 Apr – Book I, chaps 5-8

Mon 14 Apr – Book I, chap. 9 – Book II chap. 3. Receive assignment for third paper

Wed 16 Apr – Book II, chaps 4-6

Wed 23 Apr – Book II, chaps. 7-8. Third paper due.

Mon 28 Apr – Book II, chaps. 9-12

Wed 30 Apr – Book IV, chap. 8 (pp. 263-72). A chapter that caused much scandal.