PHI 182 A-Z - Selected Philosophers

Semester Hours: 3

Current Special Topics

PHI 182K - Kant and his Critics

This course serves as an introduction to the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, a major 18th century philosopher of the European enlightenment. We will consider important works in both his ethics and his theory of knowledge. In Kant’s ethics, we will consider his conception of human freedom, the universality of duty and the unavoidability of evil. In his theory of knowledge, we will consider the nature and possibility of metaphysics, synthetic a priori cognition, space and time, mathematics, and causality as well as the meaning of Transcendental Idealism. Some attention to Kant’s theory of aesthetic pleasure and to his philosophy of religion. Kant remains a central voice in the European enlightenment—celebrated for throwing off the shackles of the medieval world and urging an era human freedom and autonomy, but also blamed in some measure for the oppression and colonialism that was to follow. We will try to come to some assessment of his legacy.

Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes:
May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

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Fall 2025

January 2026

Spring 2026