Designed to introduce the student to the Greek contribution to the philosophical and scientific ideas of the Western world through study of works of Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Lucretius in English translation. Topics in moral and political philosophy, as well as epistemology and metaphysics, will be included. Attention will be focused on the quality of the arguments presented by the philosophers. Two lectures, one preceptorial.

An introduction to central questions of philosophy. Topics include: The rationality of religious belief, our knowledge of the external world, freedom of the will and the identity of persons over time.

The 17th century was a period of tumult and change in Europe. The Reformation had broken the hold of the Catholic Church, challenging long-held orthodoxies. Religion was also confronted by the Scientific Revolution, challenging comfortable beliefs about the world and our place in it. This led philosophers to rethink basic issues concerning religion. Who is telling us the truth, the Church or the scientist? Who is in charge, the religious or civil authorities? Is there really a God, and how can we know? This course will focus on these and other questions using primary textual readings from a variety of sources across the early modern period.