PHILOS 21 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: 17Th-Century Philosophy, Rationality
Document Summary
Problems of skepticism: particularly radical forms, views according to which knowledge is impossible, probably doesn"t have a lot of adherents. Not many philosophers are attracted to it, want to embrace it: central topic of re ection since 16/17 century. Even if its not correct (most think its not), its an important topic or problem to face. We will be looking at arguments for skepticism: particularly texts from meditations on first philosophy by rene descartes. Has great in uence, many philosophers after used him as a reference point: aims of this course are not scholarly and historical. End quarter by looking at late 20th century philosopher ucla alum. Aims instead to introduce the practice of philosophy for you: start doing it, analyze arguments, etc. Text: reading from descartes prefers the pdf format to refer to throughout quarter, objections on course website.
