About this course: This is a course about the history of Skepticism from the ancient Greeks to today, with special attention to the political ramifications of questioning man's ability to know the world and himself with any certainty. We will discuss the debates raging between Plato and the Sophists, the rise of Christianity in the Roman world, and the so-called 'Skeptical Crisis' of the Renaissance as well as Pierre Bayle's Skepticism and David Hume's. In addition the Natural Law tradition will be explored and the relationship between Skepticism and Conservatism. In the second part, we will explore the systematic relations between Skepticism and politics. What is skeptical doubt? When is doubt relevant? How does Skepticism relate to tolerance and to freedom of expression? And can it help us to solve political problems not only in a critical, but also in a creative way?
Who is this class for: This course is for all those with an interest in the history of philosophy, in political thought, and in more recent theories of knowledge.
Created by: Erasmus University Rotterdam
Taught by: Wiep van Bunge, Prof. dr.
Faculty of Philosophy
Taught by: Tim de Mey, Dr.
Faculty of Philosophy
| Level | Intermediate |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Political Origins
We will discuss the historical and philosophical backgrounds to Plato's rejection of democracy: they will turn out to be intimately connected to his rejection of Skepticism. In addition we will present Karl Popper's highly critical assessment of Plato's 'total...
3 videos, 3 readings
WEEK 2
Skepticism and Religion
We will sketch some of the skeptical arguments against Christianity developed by Roman philosophers, but we will also see how Skepticism soon turned into an ally of Christian theology. By the end of the seventeenth century, however, Pierre Bayle turned Skeptic...
2 videos, 1 reading
WEEK 3
Skepticism and Natural Law
We will turn to the relevance of the early modern natural law tradition, serving as as an antidote to Skepticism. Grotius's efforts will be discussed, and we will see how during the eighteenth century David Hume pushed Skepticism to its ultimate and highly dis...
2 videos, 2 readings
Graded: How convincing is Hume's conclusion to the Dialogues?
WEEK 4
Skepticism and Conservatism
We will focus on the intimate relationship between Skepticism and the origins of eighteenth-century conservatism: Edmund Burke's analysis of the French Revolution will be put into perspective. But we will also pay attention to the way in which Skepticism came ...
2 videos, 1 reading
WEEK 5
“There’s a method to his madness”: Responses to Cartesian Skepticism
We will discuss the specific and influential way in which Rene Descartes defined the problems of Skepticism, not only the question whether knowledge is possible, but also the question whether the external world and all the objects and properties in it, really ...
4 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Rear Window
WEEK 6
Fallibilism, prejudices and toleration: Lessons from Pyrrhonian Skepticism
We will address the question whether, in what sense, and to what extent, Skepticism provides good reasons to do away with prejudices and to adopt religious tolerance. First we will distinguish carefully between belief and truth. Then we will consider the attit...
4 videos, 1 reading
WEEK 7
The marketplace of ideas: An imaginative argument for freedom of expression
We will consider Mill’s argument from “the marketplace of ideas” for both freedom of opinion and freedom of expression of opinion. If ideas can compete freely, truth will emerge. Just as a free market is self correcting, speech should not be restricted, becaus...
3 videos, 2 readings
WEEK 8
The benefit of the doubt: Critical creative problem solving in politics
What is the benefit of the doubt? What good can come from the confrontation with alternative views or rival opinions? First we will learn that one of the most effective ways to boost the carefulness of problem solving processes is by pushing on alternatives. T...
3 videos, 1 reading
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Nice Course. Enjoyed the concepts. Thanks, sincerely