Meets Tue,Thu 11am-12:15pm in room 60-61G
Sections are Tuesday 1:15pm in 60-62N and Wednesday 4:15pm in 160-332
The scientific revolution of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries resulted in a profound shift in Western thought and marked the transition from the world-view of the Christian middle ages to that of what is now known as modern thought. In particular, the earth was finally moved from its position at the center of the universe, and the cosmos was now understood in terms of mathematically described matter in motion rather than through final causes and Divine or human purposes. This scientific revolution was in turn closely associated with an equally profound philosophical transformation that saw the birth of what is now known as modern philosophy. In particular, the Aristotelian-Scholastic philosophy characteristic of the middle ages was replaced by a new epistemology or theory of knowledge originating with Descartes. This course will focus on the parallel development of, and interaction between, these two great conceptual revolutions.
| Professor: | Michael Friedman |
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| TA: | Ben Escoto | Email: bescoto@stanford.edu Office: 90-92F Office hours: Tuesdays 2:15-3:15pm, Wednesdays 5:15-6:15pm | ||||||
Week 1 (Sept. 25). Introduction: The Copernican Revolution and Modern Philosophy Westfall: Chapter I Dialogue: Translator's Preface (by S. Drake) Anscombe & Geach: Introduction (by A. Koyré) Week 2 (Sept. 30). The Two Sphere Universe and the Problem of the Planets Kuhn: Chapters 1, 2 Week 3 (Oct. 7). Aristotelian-Scholastic Natural Philosophy Kuhn: Chapters 3, 4 Week 4 (Oct. 14). Galileo I: The Copernican Revolution and the Attack on Aristotelianism Drake: First and Second Parts Kuhn: Chapter 5 Dialogue: First Day Week 5 (Oct. 21). Galileo II: The Theory of Motion Dialogue: Second Day "Galileo's Mathematical Science of Motion" (handout) Week 6 (Oct. 28). Galileo III: Experimental Method and the New Science Drake: Fourth Part Kuhn: Chapters 6, 7 Week 7 (Nov. 4). Galileo IV: Copernicanism and the New World Drake: Third Part Dialogue: Third Day Westfall: Chapters VI, VII Week 8 (Nov. 11). Descartes I: Cartesian Science and The Mechanical Philosophy Westfall: Chapters II - V Anscombe & Geach: pp. 199-256 Week 9 (Nov. 18). Descartes II: Cartesian Method Anscombe & Geach: pp. 7-56, 153-80 Week 10 (Nov. 25). Descartes III: Meditations 1 - 3 Anscombe & Geach: pp. 61-91, 183-98 Week 11 (Dec. 2). Descartes IV: Meditations 4 $(G!9(B 6 Anscombe & Geach: pp. 92-124
Written work can be turned into Ben Escoto's mailbox in the philosophy department, building 90. I find paper copies much easier to grade, but if there are extenuating circumstances and you need to email me something, use an open format such as text or (if your work contains special formatting or pictures) pdf.
First Assignment. Due Friday, Oct. 17 by 12 noon. No late papers accepted. Write 3-5 typewritten pages on the following:
On pp. 115-123 of The Copernican Revolution Kuhn discusses the relationship between the Aristotelian theory of motion and geocentric astronomy. Explain as clearly as possible (and in your own words) why Aristotelian physics leads to objections to the motion of the earth. Consider especially the case of the stone thrown vertically upward (or arrow shot vertically upward) and then falling back. What was the impetus theory? Why was this theory added in the Middle Ages to Aristotle's original theory? How does the impetus theory lead to an answer to some of Aristotle's objections to the motion of the earth?
Second Assignment. Due Friday, November 7 by 12 noon. No late papers accepted. Write 3-5 typewritten pages on the following:
On p. 203 of "The Second Day" of Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems Simplicio (an Aristotelian or "Peripatetic") replying to Salviati (a representative of Galileo) says: "I would not do Plato such an injustice, although I should agree with Aristotle that he [Plato] plunged into geometry too deeply and became too fascinated by it. After all, Salviati, these mathematical subtleties do very well in the abstract, but they do not work out when applied to sensible and physical matters." (Consider also the famous passage about the language of the grand book of the universe on pp. 237-8 of Drake.) What does this tell us about the different explanatory ideals or models for understanding nature advocated by Aristotle and Galileo respectively? How does this difference show up in their respective theories of motion? What does it tell us, more generally, about their contrasting attitudes towards the relationship between "mathematical" and "physical" problems? With this distinction (between Galileo and Aristotle) as background, briefly discuss the nature of Galileo's contribution to modern "scientific method."
Third Assignment. Due Monday, December 8 by 12 noon. No late papers accepted. Write 3-5 typewritten pages (maximum 1650 words) on the following:
In the Sixth Meditation (p. 116 of Anscombe & Geach) Descartes concludes his argument for the existence of material things as follows: "It may be that not all bodies are such as my senses apprehend them, for this sensory apprehension is in many ways obscure and confused; but at any rate their nature must comprise whatever I clearly and distinctly understand--that is, whatever, generally considered, falls within the subject-matter of pure mathematics." What aspects of bodies are only apprehended in an obscure and confused way? What aspects are clearly and distinctly understood? (See pp. 101, 111; compare p. 199.) How does Descartes use his principles that whatever I clearly and distinctly perceive is true and that God is no deceiver to argue for this conclusion? Why does it follow from the fact that God is no deceiver that matter in Descartes's sense (which is clearly and distinctly understood) must exist in nature outside the mind but not that the aspects of body immediately present to the senses (which are only apprehended in an obscure and confused way) must similarly exist outside the mind? (Compare the argument for the existence of body in the Sixth Meditation, culminating on pp. 114-16, with the remarks in the Third Meditation on pp. 79-80.)
Sections take place:
Professor Friedman has assigned special section questions for the weeks listed below. Come to section that week ready to discuss them. If you can't make section, write short answers to these questions in the paper that you hand in instead of going to section.
Section questions
- Week of October 27 - Questions on Galileo's Dialogue, day 2
- Week of November 10 - Questions on Descartes' Principles of Philosophy
- Week of November 17 - More Descartes questions
- Week of November 24 - Questions on Descartes' Meditations