HPS 2517 - The Mechanical Philosophy

Institution:

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Subject:

History and Philosophy of Science

Description:

The Mechanical Philosophy is the name we give, though was coined by Robert Boyle, to the late 16th, 17th Century movement that constituted a prominent intellectual development in the rise of modern science and philosophy. It also provided a new foundation for social theorizing and a new way to think about persons. This course will look at the mechanical underpinnings, and theoretical development of certain major concepts in the 'new science’. More specifically, we will examine the ideas of matter and motion as they occur in some of major theoretical texts of Galileo, Descartes, Huygens, Hobbes, Hooke, Boyle, Wren, Wallis, etc. At least one session will be spent on the "anti" mechanical tradition. Another session or two will address the historiographic problem recently raised by Garber (et al.) as to whether the mechanical philosophy is a useful historical construct. Course requirements include a seminar presentation on a text, and term paper.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.pitt.edu

Phone Number:

(412) 624-4141

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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