Fortgeschrittenenseminar Academic Philosophy in the 16th and 17th Centuries

In this seminar, students will have the opportunity to work with texts falling within the very broad scope of what was taught – both -scholastic” and -humanistic” – in 16th and 17th schools and universities. Students can complete projects falling within the subject-areas of metaphysics, physics /natural philosophy, mathematics (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy/astrology, music, optics/perspective, etc.), ethics, family life (oeconomica), politics, rhetoric, grammar, poetics, (writings on) history, aesthetics, and physiognomy. There will be an overview of the contents of this philosophy, including the contents of the subject areas listed above. The evolution of academic philosophy will be discussed, including how writings by Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, Melanchton, Ramus, and Descartes were utilized. The extent to which this philosophy was impacted by Lutheran, Reformed Protestant, and Roman Catholic (including Jesuit) institutional initiatives will be addressed. Topics which link this philosophy with theology, medicine, jurisprudence, church history, history of science, literature, and art history are also possible. Latin is desirable but not required; 16th and 17th century texts in English, French, Italian, and German may be used. Individual projects extending into the first half of the 18th century could also be selected by interested students. There will be an overview of the contents and evolution of this philosophy. The main course texts will be 1. a book in progress by the instructor, 2. a small selection of relevant article-length studies from which each student selects one article, 3. the writing(s) selected by students for their own research projects. The instructor will endeavor to link the interests of the participating students to project topics that will be beneficial as well as interesting to them. Any students or faculty with questions concerning this seminar can contact the instructor directly at joseph-freedman@usa.net Fakultät für Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie und Religionswissenschaft Latin is desirable but not required. term paper OR (presentation(s)+essay/record), according to the lecturer's specification (= BA and general MA program in philosophy); equivalent forms of assessment by arrangement [9 ECTS-points] LMU München SoSe 2016 Prof. Dr. Freedman Joseph S