Thanks to everyone for last week's excellent discussion of Equiano! For this week, we will be reading selections from Descartes and Montaigne. We'll be looking at three of Montaigne's Essais and Descartes Discourse on Method. You need not read all of Discourse, though it is not terribly long. What's important are his ideas about doubt, so you can read/skim for that topic.
Montaigne's Essais
"That the Soul Expends Its Passions Upon False Objects, Where the True Are Wanting"
"On the Education of Children"
"That it is Folly to Measure Truth and Error by Our Own Capacity"
"On the Education of Children"
"That it is Folly to Measure Truth and Error by Our Own Capacity"
Optional:
"Of Liars"
"Of Books"
"Of Friendship"
"Of Liars"
"Of Books"
"Of Friendship"
Descartes:
Discourse on Method
Discourse on Method
You might always be interested in Descarte's Meterology, originally published with Discourse, but I couldn't find a copy online. Feel free to bring it if you have it.
Finally, since what connects Descartes & Montaigne is their rejection of Aristotle, it might be useful to check out the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Aristotle, and specifically his four causes.
Finally, since what connects Descartes & Montaigne is their rejection of Aristotle, it might be useful to check out the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Aristotle, and specifically his four causes.
Once again, we'll be meeting at Sweet Claire's on 3rd street Thursday from 2-3pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
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