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Mr. Van Norden |
Office: Rockefeller Hall 401A |
This course is an introduction to the works of the major figures in Western philosophy in the medieval period (approximately A.D. 400 to 1500). The stereotype of the middle ages is that it is a period of ignorance, cruelty and dogmatism, compared with the supposed "enlightenment" of the modern era. In reality, the middle ages was one of the most philosophically vibrant in Western history.
This course will cover the four philosophers who are arguably the greatest thinkers of this period, and among the greatest philosophers the world has ever known: Augustine, Anselm, Abelard and Aquinas. Among the topics discussed by these thinkers are the nature and existence of evil, the purpose of human life, how and whether it can be proven that God exists, the proper way to interpret the Bible, and other philosophical and theological issues. The prerequisite for this course is any previous course in philosophy or permission of the instructor.
Briefly, your grade will be based on
Regular attendance is required. Absences can only be excused by the Dean of Studies Office (x5255). Class participation of some kind is expected. Your participation grade will only be based on whether your questions and comments show familiarity with the assigned readings, not on whether they are "brilliant." There is no final exam in this course.
This course places a significant emphasis on writing well. There will be three written assignments in this course. Each paper must be at least 1200 words in length. A substantial portion of your grade for these papers will depend on the quality of your writing and manuscript preparation. Papers may not be hand-written, and must be double-spaced. And, whatever else you do, proofread your papers before handing them in! (Remember: a spell- check program is no substitute for proofreading!) You should also buy a stapler if you do not already own one.
Unexcused late papers will drop 1/3 letter grade per weekday after the due date. (That is, an A paper that should have been handed in on a Tuesday will receive an A- if it is handed in Wednesday, and a B+ if it is handed in Thursday.) If you cannot hand in a paper during class, you may turn it in to the Philosophy Department Office (Rocky 209). (If the door is locked, there is usually a box for paper dropoff near the door.) If you think you cannot get a paper finished in time, you may get an extension in advance without a grade penalty if you ask and have a legitimate reason! Excuses after the due date can only be approved through the Dean of Studies Office (x5255).
The readings should be completed before the class meeting under which they are listed, and then re-read after the class in which they are discussed. In general, I try to assign approximately 25 pages of reading per day between classes. Consequently, you will find that you have more reading due for a Tuesday class (since you have 5 evenings in which to do the reading) than you do for a Thursday class (since you have only two evenings to do the reading for that class).
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Lect. 1 |
Topics: Course introduction, overview, and mechanics. |
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Augustine |
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Lect. 2 |
Topic: Can humans do what is evil just for the sake of doing evil? Read Confessions, Books 1-2, pp. 3-34. Discussion question: So why did Augustine steal the pears? |
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Lect. 3 |
Topic: From pagan to catechumen. Read Confessions, Books 3-5, pp. 35-89. Discussion questions: Why is Augustine dissatisfied with his life? Why is he attracted to Manicheanism? Why does he eventually reject Manicheanism? |
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Lect. 4 |
Topic: The development of Augustine's understanding of Christianity. Read Confessions, Books 6-7, pp. 90-132. Discussion question: Explain how Ambrose and the Platonists influenced Augustine's understanding of Christianity. |
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Lect. 5 |
Topic: Augustine is "born again." Read Confessions, Books, 8-10, pp. 133-220. Discussion question: Explain why Augustine finally converts wholeheartedly to Christianity. |
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Lect. 6 |
Topic: Augustine on metaphysics, the philosophy of mind, and Biblical hermeneutics. Read Confessions, Books 11-13. |
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Lect. 7 |
Topic: The context for Augustine's The City of God. Read The City of God, "Introduction" by Thomas Merton, pp. xv-xx, and Book 1, pp. 3-39. (Thomas Merton is a very famous 20th-century monk, philosopher, and ecumenical Christian.) Discussion questions: Are Augustine's comments on rape at least partially humane or not? Discuss the plausibility of Augustine's explanations for why God allows Christians to suffer. |
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Lect. 8 |
First paper due today! Paper topics are here. Class Topic: Topic: Augustine's philosophy of history and the origin of evil. Read The City of God, Books 11-12 and 14, pp. 345-411, 441-77. Discussion questions: What are the two cities? Does Augustine's explanation for wrongdoing here differ from the one he gives in Confessions, Book 2? |
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Lect. 9 |
Topic: Augustine on the highest good and eternal damnation. Read The City of God, Book 19, pp. 669-709, and Book 21, pp. 763-809. Discussion question: Discuss the plausibility of Augustine's justification for eternal damnation. |
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Topic: Augstine, The City of God. |
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Lect. 11 |
Topic: Augustine, The City of God. |
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Anselm |
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Lect. 12 |
Topic: Topic: Anselm's Ontological Argument for the Existence of God. Read Proslogion, Pro Insipiente, "Reply to Gaunilo" in The Major Works, pp. 82-122. Discussion questions: Explain, as clearly as you can, Anselm's argument, Gaunilo's objection, and Anselm's reply. Why do you find Anselm's argument persuasive (or unpersuasive)? N.B. The drop period ends Friday. |
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October Break |
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Lect. 13 |
This class meeting was cancelled in 2002. |
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Lect. 14 |
Topic: Why did God have to become a human and be crucified? Read "Why God Became Man," in The Major Works, 260-315. Discussion questions: So why did He? |
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Lect. 15 |
Topic: Why did God have to become a human and be crucified? Read "Why God Became Man," Book 2, in The Major Works, pp. 315-56. |
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Lect. 16 |
Topic Chosen by Class: Either (1) Anselm, "On Truth," in The Major Works, pp. 151-74, or (2) Abelard on cross-cultural dialogue. Read Abelard, Dialogue beween a Philosopher, a Jew and a Christian, Dialogue 1, in Abelard, Ethical Writings, pp. 59-89. |
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Aquinas |
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Lect. 17 |
Second paper due today (November 5 in 2002)! Paper topics are here. Class Topic: Proving the existence of God. Read Summa Theologiae: A Concise Translation I.2.1-3, pp. 11-14. N.B. Do not confused the traditional "question" numbers of the Summa with the page references to our condensed Summa. "I.2.1-3" refers to Part I, Question 2, Articles 1-3. The "question" numbers are given in bold, and the article numbers in regular type, in the margins of our condensed version of the Summa. I include this information only for purposes of cross-referencing our translation with a complete edition. Use the page references I have provided to find the readings for each class. |
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Lect. 18 |
Topic: Human "happiness." Read "How to Read the Summa," and then St. Thomas Aquinas, Treatise on Happiness, beginning with Question V, Article 8, and then read all of Question II, and then proceed to Question III, Article 5 and Article 8. If you have time, read all of Questions I-V. N.B. Treatise on Happiness is a full translation of one section of the Summa. In contrast, Summa Theologiae: A Concise Translation, is a condensed version of the complete Summa. If you have time, compare the Treatise on Happiness translation with Aquinas, Summa Theologiae IaIIae.1-5, pp. 171-81. Questions to consider: Why does Aquinas think that all humans aim at "happiness"? Is he right? What kinds of life or lives do you think are really worthwhile? How, if at all, does your list differ from Aquinas's? What might he say about the lives you consider worthwhile? Are the views of Aquinas and Augustine consistent? |
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Lect. 19 |
Topic: Human "happiness." Same reading as previous class. |
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Lect. 20 |
Topic: Voluntary action. Read Summa Theologiae IaIIae.6-21, pp. 182-200. |
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Lect. 21 |
This class is cancelled on November 19, 2002. |
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Lect. 22 |
Topic: Feeling. Read Summa Theologiae IaIIae.22-48, pp. 201-19. |
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Lect. 23 |
Topic: "Charity" (love). Read Summa Theologiae IIaIIae.23-46, pp. 349-71. Recommended: Summa Theologiae IIaIIae.1-21, pp. 328-49 |
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Thanksgiving Break (November 28-December 1) |
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Lect. 24 |
Topic: The virtues of prudence and justice. Read Summa Theologiae IIaIIae.47-79, pp. 372-99. Recommended: Summa Theologiae IIaIIae.80-122, p. 399-422. |
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Lect. 25 |
Topic: The virtues of courage and moderation. Read Summa Theologiae IIaIIae.123-168, pp. 422-441. |
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Lect. 26 |
Third paper due today! Topic: Aquinas or Abelard. Class topic: Review and catch-up. Course evaluations will be handed out today, so do not miss this class! |
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It is impossible to understand philosophy after one reading. Even professional philosophers must read a philosophical text at least twice in order to understand it. So make sure to read every assignment in this course at least twice!
I do not recommend reading additional outside sources on the topics covered in this course. (Many secondary books and translations are very unreliable.) Just read, re-read, and re-re-read the assignments. You are encouraged to discuss the readings, lectures and paper topics with other students and with the instructor. However, you must write up your papers by yourself. In addition, if you use any quotations, phrases or even ideas in your papers that you did not come up with on your own, you must acknowledge this fact in a citation. Failure to do so is plagiarism (a serious offense). It does not make any difference whether the source is a book, encyclopedia article, oral conversation, web site or anything else. Cite it!
My office hours are your time! Make use of them! In lecture, you are one of several dozen students. In my office hours, you usually get one on one attention. Take advantage of this opportunity!
Academic accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities. Please schedule an appointment with the instructor early in the semester to discuss any accommodation that may be needed for the course. All accommodations must be approved through the Office of Disability and Support Services (ext. 7584) as indicated in their accommodation letter.
Version of October 28, 2002.