Faculty of Letters

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PHL400BB(哲学 / Philosophy 400)
Seminar on Philosophy (1)

Masato SATO

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school Faculty of Letters
Attached documents
Year 2024
Class code A2230
Previous Class code
Previous Class title
Term 年間授業/Yearly
Day/Period 火4/Tue.4
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷
Classroom name 市BT‐0906
Grade 3~4
Credit(s) 4
Notes
Open Program
Open Program (Notes)
Global Open Program
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers (Notes)
Class taught by instructors with practical experience
SDGs CP
Urban Design CP
Diversity CP
Learning for the Future CP
Carbon Neutral CP
Chiyoda Campus Consortium
Category 哲学科
他学科公開科目
Group
Day or Night

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Outline (in English)

Through a close reading of Descartes's Meditations, the purpose of this course is to examine (1) how Descartes's metaphysics, which marks the dawn of early modern Western philosophy, was established, (2) what its aims were, and (3) where its innovation and tradition lie.

The Meditations is undoubtedly an immortal and sublime work in the history of Western philosophy which, no matter how many times you read it, will always bring you new discoveries and an inexhaustible profundity, but it does require some skill to read and understand. Like the writings of other philosophers, it is necessary to understand Descartes' writings with an open mind and not be bound by one's own views, but in Meditations it is necessary to understand Descartes' "chain of reasoning and combination", to "withdraw the mind from all sensations and preconceptions" and to "meditate seriously together" with Descartes. In other words, the key to reading Meditations is to read it in the first person, not as Descartes, but as yourself, and to walk Descartes' path of speculation as your own.

Students are expected by the end of the course 1) to understand precisely contents of the Cartesian metaphysics in comparison with Scholastic philosophy, 2) to find their own questions in it, search for answers and deepen their understanding and consideration through discussions with others, 3) to construct their arguments logically through readings and discussions, and 4) to explain them clearly in their own words.
Before each class meeting, students are to read carefully the relevant text of the next class and to summarize what the text is arguing for. Group or individual in charge of presentation of the day is to prepare a resume to be distributed. Required study time is two hours each before and after the class.
Grade will be decided on the following proportion. In-class contribution: 40%, Presentation: 20%, Term-end examination or report: 40%.

Default language used in class

日本語 / Japanese