IH5006 Turning Points in the History of Ideas

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Module description

This module is concerned with periods of history when there was rapid and turbulent intellectual and philosophical change. The module studies the nature of the change through the works of the authors involved in the transformation of thought and through seminal commentaries upon them. Students will acquire knowledge of how and why ideas change and of the consequences of such change. They will be encouraged to place ideas in their historical context, and to reflect upon the reasons for intellectual change and the broader reception and subsequent understanding of transformative philosophies. Themes include: Plato/Aristotle and the origins of Western philosophy; Cynics, Stoics and Sceptics; Morality and Empire at Rome; Reason and religion: Christianity and barbarism; Local and global law: the example of Rome; Machiavellianism and amoral philosophy; Commercial society and the passions and the interests; Shaping character: the idea of education; 'Gentle' commerce and perpetual peace; The Jealousy of trade and international relations; Civil science and the concept of liberty; Natural slavery and natural rights; Socialism and utopia; Civilization and democracy; Equality and capitalism.