Welcome to the History of Modern Philosophy.

 

 

COURSE INFORMATION

This course examines the great developments in Modern philosophy, from the 15th to the early 19th centuries, that continue to influence our culture today. A central theme is the philosophy of the human person and questions regarding the nature of the human being, freedom, the value of reason and the emotions, the methods and limits of knowledge, and the foundations of human rights and political life.

The period is marked by a process of secularization, a gradual abandonment of a theological or cosmological vision of the world, and a careful reflection on themes regarding anthropology. Intense interest in human autonomy reveals many positive insights, but when absolutized, creates a series of ruptures in understanding the human person.

Many current themes originate in this anthropological turn of modern philosophy. Studying their foundations offers us the opportunity to approach topics with open-mindedness & allow us to understand and reflect on our responses to the social & personal problems of our time.

 25 classes.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course you should be able to:

  1. Be familiar with the names of major philosophers of the period and situate them within their historical and social contexts.
  2. Understand and explain at a basic level: secularisation, rationalism, empiricism, liberalism, nationalism, romanticism, marxism, and situate these ideas within their historical contexts
  3. Critically engage with the principal philosophical ideas introduced in this course, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and supporting your views with reasons
  4. Appreciate the legacy of these philosophers and identify their continuing influence in contemporary society
  5. Participate confidently and positively in contemporary philosophical discussions.
PROGRAM

 

  1. The Early Modern Era
    • Philosophical Coordinates. The Modern Age and the process of secularization:
    • Historical Coordinates: The discovery of America in modern philosophy. Francisco de Vitoria.
    • Religious Coordinates: Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation.
    • Political Coordinates: The Ancien & New Regimes.
  2. Modern Philosophy: Rationalism & Empiricism
    • Rationalism & Rene Descartes.
    • Anglo-Saxon Philosophy: English empiricism.
  3. The Enlightenment
    • The Enlightenment: main characteristics.
    • The German Enlightenment: Immanuel Kant & the Critique of Pure Reason & Critique of Practical Reason.
  4. Modern Ideologies
    • Introduction to Ideologies.
    • Liberalism & Liberalisms.
    • Romanticism & the Re-evaluation of Feeling.
    • Nationalisms
    • Marxism

A detailed program is available HERE.

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF MAJOR PHILOSOPHERS

Chronological List of Major Philosophers | VIEW

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Main Texts

Fazio, M., Gamarra, D., A History of Modern Philosophy, NY: Scepter, 2017.

Fazio, M. The History of Contemporary Ideas, trans. M. Cusi, 2019.  | VIEW

Fazio, M., Fernandez Labastida, F., A History of Contemporary Philosophy, (NY: Scepter), 2011.

Further Reading

Copleston, F., A History of Philosophy: vols 4-6. (New York: Doubleday, 1963).

Descartes, R., “Meditations 1 and 2”, in Meditations on First Philosophy, trans.  Michael Moriarty, OUP, Oxford, 2008, pp. 64-75. | VIEW

De Torre, J., The Humanism of Modern Philosophy, Manila: CRC, 1989.

Kenny, A., A New History of Western Philosophy: The Rise of Modern Philosophy, Oxford: OUP, 2010.

McInerny, R. and Caponigri, R., History of Western Philosophy, Philosophy from the Renaissance to the Romantic Age, London: University of Notre Dame Press, 1963. | VIEW

McInerny, R. and Caponigri, R., History of Western Philosophy, Philosophy from the Romantic Age to the Age of Positivism, London: University of Notre Dame Press, 1970. | VIEW

Scruton, R., A Short History of Modern Philosophy: From Descartes to Wittgenstein, 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 1995.

Other Resources

Online Encyclopedias

Interdisciplinary Encyclopedia of Science and Religion | VIEW

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy | VIEW

Internet History of Philosophy | VIEW

Lectures & Podcasts

Christopher Anadale, A Walk Through Descartes’ Meditations

  • Meditations 1 | VIEW 
  • Meditations 2 | VIEW 

Robert Barron, Understanding the Present Moment: Karl Marx (29.57 mins) | VIEW

Mariano Fazio, Faith in Contemporary Culture | VIEW

Peter Kreeft, The Great Debates of Philosophy Series | VIEW

History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps, Peter Adamson, Kings College, London (Podcast) | HERE  

VIDEO CLASSES: DON MARIANO FAZIO (Spanish)

You can supplement your reading with videos of excellent classes given by Don Mariano Fazio on the History of Contemporary Ideas.

  • Episodes subtitled in English
  1. The Roots of Modernity

1-1-Impacto de la modernidad: La ilustración y el cientismo. El romanticismo (18.32 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXqYN_LuqWw&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=1

  • 1-2-Impacto de la modernidad: La ilustración y el cientismo. El romanticismo (18.40 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcgCNiR3cu4&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=2

  • 1-3-Impacto de la modernidad: La ilustración y el cientismo. El romanticismo (18.37 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVBPfkH7KGY&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=3

1-4-Impacto de la modernidad: La ilustración y el cientismo. El romanticismo (12.39 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWDhgKHDKSA&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=4

  1. Modern Ideologies

Liberalism and Nationalism

2-1-Impacto de la modernidad: El liberalismo. El nacionalismo. (22.24 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fpxbNetphw&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=5

  • 2-2-Impacto de la modernidad: El liberalismo. El nacionalismo. (22.43 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaNAtp8nmbg&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=6

  • 2-3-Impacto de la modernidad: El liberalismo. El nacionalismo. (22.34 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXRVNMr3yaE&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=7

  • 2-4-Impacto de la modernidad: El liberalismo. El nacionalismo. (22.39) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYGOoVuKb7s&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=8

2-5-Impacto de la modernidad: El liberalismo. El nacionalismo. (2.31 mins)| VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaxgoI8Noo4&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=9

Marxism

3-1-Impacto de la modernidad: Marxismo y neosmarxismos. (24.17) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q58L1YnR7PI&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=10

  • 3-2-Impacto de la modernidad: Marxismo y neosmarxismos. (24.30 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG6p3cNjwfc&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=11

  • 3-3-Impacto de la modernidad: Marxismo y neosmarxismos. (24.34 mins)  | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zlgc7bXZ1A&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=12

  • 3-4-Impacto de la modernidad: Marxismo y neosmarxismos. (24.32 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQElbB2aD68&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=13

3-5-Impacto de la modernidad: Marxismo y neosmarxismos. (0.38 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBgnKNkPx2s&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=14

Response of the Catholic Church

5-1-Impacto de la modernidad: Concilio Vaticano II. (22.42 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQVJv4vLKnA&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=20

  • 5-2-Impacto de la modernidad: CV II. (22.53 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivLjIDtW-5U&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=21

  • 5-3-Impacto de la modernidad: CV II. (22.53 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4YQ4H-9qZs&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=22

  • 5-4-Impacto de la modernidad: CV II. (23.03 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW34As1S2KA&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=23

  • 5-5-Impacto de la modernidad: CV II. (2.23 mins) | VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDOTWmocDY8&list=PLCyQ9snADcGB3N7Vf2m2rNU70Jp6oVMze&index=24

ASSESSMENT

 

  1. Four short answer questions.

Please answer one question from each section of the course. You will need to explain the key terms in your response (350 words each).

PART I: THE EARLY MODERN ERA    

Due: 2 January 2026        /15

  1. Philosophical Context: The Modern Age and the Process of Secularization.

Question: Was the abandonment of theocentrism a step backwards in culture? Can a process of secularization not be opposed to transcendence?

  1. Historical Context: the discovery of America in modern philosophy. Francisco de Vitoria.

Question: What did the discovery of America mean for the notion of human nature?

  1. Religious Context: Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation.

Question: Are Luther’s affirmations of faith alone, Scripture alone, grace alone purely theological theses?

  1. Political Context: the Old & New Regimes.

Question: Can democracy be based on natural law?

PART II: MODERN PHILOSOPHY: RATIONALISM & EMPIRICISM

Due: 7 January 2026        /15

  1. First great movement: rationalism & Rene Descartes.

Question: What essential human dimension is underestimated? Why does it matter?

  1. Anglo-Saxon philosophy: English empiricism.

Question: Is it possible to defend responsibility for one’s own actions without admitting causality?

PART III: THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Due: 12 January 2026      /15

  1. The Enlightenment: main characteristics.

Question: What is the scope of scientific reason? Is science a sufficient source of human knowledge? Why or why not?

  1. German Enlightenment: Immanuel Kant.

Question: Did Kant deny metaphysics & totally deny reality? OR

Question: Why does Kant deny a role for the emotions in virtuous action? What essential dimension of the human being is defined by morality in Kant?

PART IV: MODERN IDEOLOGIES

Due: 17 January 2026      /15

  1. Introduction to Ideologies.

Question: Is Christianity an ideology? Why or why not?

  1. Liberalism & liberalisms.

Question: Can a Christian be a liberal?

  1. Romanticism & the revaluation of feeling.

Question: Do you see influences of this ideology in your culture? Should we exclude rationality from religion? Why or why not?

  1. Nationalisms.

Question: What human & political values are lost in nationalisms?

  1. Marxism.

Question: Why has Marxism been defined as a dictatorship of the proletariat? Why does it define itself as a humanism?

 

  1. Oral Exam

Oral exam on one of your four questions selected at random (15 minutes)

Date: 17 or 18 January     /40

 

MARKING CRITERIA

Short Answer Questions

Identifies & explains relevant philosophical ideas

/5

Displays knowledge of the philosophical ideas & arguments in the readings

/5

Presents own critical evaluation, supporting views with reasons

/5

Oral Exam

Displays familiarity with relevant philosophical ideas & situates them within their historical contexts       

/8

Identifies key thinkers relevant to the topic & their specific contributions

/8

Critically engages with the principal philosophical ideas, assessing their strengths & weaknesses, and supports arguments with reasons

/16

Discusses the legacy of these ideas & continuing influence today, supported by examples

/8

 

1. THE EARLY MODERN ERA: CORE READINGS

1.1 The Modern Age and the process of secularization

  • Fazio & Gamarra, History of Modern Philosophy, pp. 15-45.
  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 7-14.

1.2 The discovery of America in modern philosophy. Francisco de Vitoria.

  • Fazio & Gamarra, History of Modern Philosophy, pp. 34-39.
  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 15-25.

1.3 Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation.

  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 25-30.

1.4 The Ancien & New Regimes.

  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 32-42.
2. RATIONALISM & EMPIRISM: CORE READINGS

2.1 Rationalism & Rene Descartes.

  • Fazio & Gamarra, History of Modern Philosophy, pp. 46-75.
  • Descartes, “Meditations 1 and 2”, in Meditations on First Philosophy, pp. 64-75. | VIEW
  • Boy or Girl (1.40 mins) | VIEW
  • Alexander Thomas, “Transhumanism: billionaires want to use tech to enhance our abilities – the outcomes could change what it means to be human”, The Conversation, 17/1/2024 | VIEW

 Further Resources

  • Peter Kreeft, The Great Debates of Philosophy, Pascal vs. Descartes on the Relation Between Philosophy and Science | VIEW
  • Christopher Anadale, A Walk Through Descartes’ Meditations: Meditations 1 | VIEW     Meditations 2 | VIEW

2.2 Anglo-Saxon Philosophy: English Empiricism.

  • Fazio & Gamarra, History of Modern Philosophy, pp. 132-186.

Further Resources

  • Peter Kreeft, The Great Debates of Philosophy, Descartes vs. Bacon on Rationalism vs. Empiricism & “Man’s Conquest of Nature” | VIEW

Faith, Reason and Science

  • John Paul II, Address to the Plenary Session on ‘The Emergence of Complexity in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology’, Pontifical Academy of Science, 31 October 1992. (Galileo)| VIEW
  • Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, 24.11.2013, nn. 242-3. | VIEW
  • Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 159.

 

 

3. THE ENLIGHTENMENT: CORE READINGS

3.1 The Enlightenment: main characteristics.

  • Fazio & Gamarra, History of Modern Philosophy, pp. 187-207.
  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 42-58.

Further Resources

  • Peter Kreeft, The Great Debates of Philosophy: Hobbes & Rousseau on Man and the State | VIEW

3.2 The German Enlightenment: Immanuel Kant & the Critique of Pure Reason & Critique of Practical Reason.

  • Fazio & Gamarra, History of Modern Philosophy, pp. 208-245.
  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 58-71.

Further Resources

  • Scruton, Kant: A very Short Introduction, OUP, 2001.
  • Peter Kreeft, The Great Debates of Philosophy: Aristotle vs. Kant on Epistemology and Ethics | VIEW

4. MODERN IDEOLOGIES: CORE READINGS

4.1 Introduction to Ideologies.

  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 96-100.
  • Fazio & Labastida, History of Contemporary Philosophy, pp. 289-326.

4.2 Liberalism & liberalisms.

  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, 100-122.

4.3 Romanticism & the revaluation of feeling.

  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 71-80.
  • Fazio & Labastida, History of Contemporary Philosophy, pp. 19-34.

4.4 Nationalisms.

  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 122-143.
  • John Paul II, Address to the 50th General Assembly of the United Nations, 5 October 1995.  |  VIEW

4.5 Marxism.

  • Fazio, History of Contemporary Ideas, pp. 143-164.
  • Fazio & Labastida, History of Contemporary Philosophy, pp. 86-96.

Further Resources

  • Peter Kreeft, The Great Debates of Philosophy: Confucius vs. Marx on Traditionalism vs. Revolutionism | VIEW
  • Robert Barron, Understanding the Present Moment: Karl Marx (29.57 mins) | VIEW