Philosophy 290-5

Fall 2018

Number Title Instructor Days/time Room
290-5 Graduate Seminar: Early Modern Theories of the Passions Primus Tu 4-6 Moses 234

This seminar will focus on early modern discussions of the passions, otherwise known as “sentiments,” “affections,” “affects,” and “emotions.” Some of the questions we will ask include: What is the relation of passions to beliefs, judgments, perceptions, and sensations? Can passions or emotions be attributed to (non-human) animals? How might passions incite, sustain, or hinder action? How can passions be controlled or diminished? Do emotions sometime enhance, rather than derail, epistemic progress? How do we understand the emotional language that sometimes figures in theological discussions?

Readings will be drawn from works by Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza, Régis, Conway, Malebranche, Masham, Cordemoy, de la Forge, Astell, and others.