UW-Milwaukee: L&S Freshman Scholars Seminars

Fall 2008 Seminars

Philosophy

Coffee Houses and Revolutionary Ideas: Reason and Nature in the Enlightenment (Full)

Michael Liston, Associate Professor

Coffee houses, lending libraries, art exhibitions, consumerism, the American Revolution - all can be traced to the 18th century. That humans have inalienable rights to liberty and equality, that free enterprise constitutes sound socio-economic policy, that the universe is governed by mathematical laws, that Church and State should be separate - these are ideas that we commonly and unreflectively accept today, but their genesis, distinctively modern expression, and philosophical justification are to be found in 18th century Enlightenment thought (roughly 1688-1789). Enlightenment thought can be roughly characterized as optimistic faith in human reason and science with attendant suspicion of dogmatic religion, tradition, and authority. In this seminar, we will examine Enlightenment views concerning human nature and society, the natural world and God, and science and religion. We will study philosophical texts of the period, literary (poetry, narrative) and non-literary (painting, architecture, music) expressions of Enlightenment thought, and some period films. Throughout the course there will be a strong emphasis on guided independent research and oral and written presentation and defense. Our goals will be: (a) to understand the texts both as responses to their historical and cultural milieu and as influences in shaping our own culture; (b) to learn how to read the texts critically and to deploy them as tools for a critique of our own attitudes and beliefs; (c) to acquire some of the attitudes and skills needed for, and to learn what is involved in, a humanities pursuit (like philosophy) in a university setting.

Michael Liston received a BA in Philosophy and LLB from Trinity College, Dublin and his PhD in Philosophy from University of California, San Diego. He teaches courses in logic and the philosophy of science at all levels and has research interests in metaphysics, philosophy of language, and the history and philosophy of mathematics and science. Liston is currently working on a book on 19th century views of science. He likes reading, movies, music, art, traveling, and hiking in Ireland.

Number: PHILOS 192, SEM 001
Credits: 3HU
Time: MW 3:30pm-4:45pm
Place: CRT B12
Class Number: 60205

© College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Freshman Scholars Program, PO Box 413, Holton Hall G18, Milwaukee, WI 53201
Send your questions and comments to L&S Web Team
Last Updated: June 30, 2008


Humanities Africology Celtic Studies Communication Comparative Literature English Ethnic Studies German History Italian Philosophy Women's Studies Natural Science Atmospheric Sciences Biological Sciences Geociences Physics Social Science Africology Anthropology Economics Political Science Psychology Sociology Cultural Diversity English		Fall 2008 Seminars Philosophy Coffee Houses and Revolutionary Ideas: Reason and Nature in the Enlightenment (Full) Michael Liston, Associate Professor Coffee houses, lending libraries, art exhibitions, consumerism, the American Revolution - all can be traced to the 18th century. That humans have inalienable rights to liberty and equality, that free enterprise constitutes sound socio-economic policy, that the universe is governed by mathematical laws, that Church and State should be separate - these are ideas that we commonly and unreflectively accept today, but their genesis, distinctively modern expression, and philosophical justification are to be found in 18th century Enlightenment thought (roughly 1688-1789). Enlightenment thought can be roughly characterized as optimistic faith in human reason and science with attendant suspicion of dogmatic religion, tradition, and authority. In this seminar, we will examine Enlightenment views concerning human nature and society, the natural world and God, and science and religion. We will study philosophical texts of the period, literary (poetry, narrative) and non-literary (painting, architecture, music) expressions of Enlightenment thought, and some period films. Throughout the course there will be a strong emphasis on guided independent research and oral and written presentation and defense. Our goals will be: (a) to understand the texts both as responses to their historical and cultural milieu and as influences in shaping our own culture; (b) to learn how to read the texts critically and to deploy them as tools for a critique of our own attitudes and beliefs; (c) to acquire some of the attitudes and skills needed for, and to learn what is involved in, a humanities pursuit (like philosophy) in a university setting. Michael Liston received a BA in Philosophy and LLB from Trinity College, Dublin and his PhD in Philosophy from University of California, San Diego. He teaches courses in logic and the philosophy of science at all levels and has research interests in metaphysics, philosophy of language, and the history and philosophy of mathematics and science. Liston is currently working on a book on 19th century views of science. He likes reading, movies, music, art, traveling, and hiking in Ireland. Number: PHILOS 192, SEM 001 Credits: 3HU Time: MW 3:30pm-4:45pm Place: CRT B12 Class Number: 60205 Check current enrollment information.
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© College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Freshman Scholars Program, PO Box 413, Holton Hall G18, Milwaukee, WI 53201 Send your questions and comments to L&S Web Team Last Updated: June 30, 2008