PHIL 273T Hume's Treatise on Human Nature (Not offered 2006-2007; to be offered 2007-2008) (W)
David Hume started work on his Treatise of Human Nature (1739/40) at the age
of 15 and finished it in his mid 20's. His ambition was no less than a complete
science of human nature, including an account of knowledge, the emotions, and
morality. Some of Hume's conclusions are famously skeptical, while others offer a rich positive source of philosophical and psychological insight. He considers personal identity, free will, induction, causality, the limits of reason, sentiment as a foundation for morality, relativism, and objectivity. The Treatise now
exerts a towering influence over the Western tradition, and many contemporary
currents in moral philosophy, epistemology, philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and philosophy of science are identifiably "Humean."
In this tutorial we will read the entire Treatise along with other works by Hume
and influential secondary literature. Throughout, we will have two goals, namely, understanding Hume's positions in their historical context and making sense
of the relevance of Hume's approach to current theorizing. At the end of the semester we will turn to some recent inheritors of Hume's projects, with special
attention to philosophical naturalism.
Format: tutorial. Requirements: Participants will present a 5- to 7-page paper in
the tutorial every other week, and will be responsible for commenting on their
tutorial partner's work on off weeks. Expect several short lectures by the instructor over the course of the semester where the tutorial members convene as a
group.
Prerequisites: Philosophy 101 or 102. Preference will be given to majors or prospective majors in philosophy. Several spaces in this tutorial will be reserved for
sophomores, and every effort will be made to pair students according to similar
or complimentary background. This course is writing intensive. Enrollment limit: 10.