Jonathan Bain
Humanities and Social Sciences
Polytechnic Institute of New York University
PL 2104 - Magic, Medicine and Science
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Prof:  Jonathan Bain Fall 2007
Office:  RH 201A             
T/Th 9:00-10:50
room to be announced
Off. hr:  W 1-2pm  phone:  260-3688
I.  Description
This course is an introduction to basic issues in metaphysics (what does reality consist of?) and epistemology (what is knowledge and how is it obtained?).  Our investigation will take the form of a philosophically-oriented survey of the history of western science from the Greeks to the Newtonian synthesis. We will look at the metaphysical and epistemological origins of three grand systems of thought: the Organic, the Magical, and the Mechanical; and indicate the extent to which modern science can be seen as arising out of their synthesis. We will view the key figures in this history as they saw themselves first and formost as natural philosophers.  Topics to be covered include Presocratic cosmology, Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, the Hermetic Corpus, Ficino's naturalistic magic, Pico's supernatural magic, Paracelsus and the ontic theory of disease, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Descartes, Hobbes, the Cambridge Platonists, and Newton.
II.  Texts
A.  Required text at Bookstore:  Cohen, I. B. (1985) The Birth of a New Physics, Norton.

B.  Required reading (linked pdf files):
  1. Lindberg, D. (1992) "The Greeks and the Cosmos" and "Aristotle's Philosophy of Nature".  In The Beginnings of Western Science, Univ. Chicago Press, pp. 21-45; 47-68.
  2. Plato:  Selections from Timaeus (14 pages).
  3. Aristotle:  Selections from On the Heavens and Metaphysics (10 pages).
  4. Plotinus:  Selections from The Enneads (15 pages).
  5. Yates, F. (1964) "Hermes Trismegistus" and "Ficino's Pimander and the Asclepius".  In Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition, Univ. Chicago Press, pp. 1-19; 20-38.
  6. Yates, F. (1964) "Hermes Trismegistus and Magic" and "Ficino's Natural Magic".  In Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition, Univ. Chicago Press, pp. 44-61; 62-83.
  7. Yates, F. (1964) "Pico Della Mirandola and Cabalist Magic".  In Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition, Univ. Chicago Press, pp. 84-116.
  8. Kearney, H. (1971) "The Mysterious Universe".  In Science and Change, World Univ. Library, pp. 96-140.
  9. Descartes:  Selections from The Principles of Philosophy (6 pages).
  10. Koyre, A (1957) "Indefinite Extension or Infinite Space" and "God and Space, Spirit and Matter".  In From the Closed World to the Infinite Universe, The Johns Hopkins Univ Press, pp. 110-124; 125-154.
  11. Newton:  Selections from The Principia (7 pages).
  12. McGuire, J. E. and P. M. Rattansi (1966) "Newton and the Pipes of Pan", Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London 21, pp. 108-143.
C.  Optional background reading (linked pdf files):
  1. Kearney, H. (1971) "Three Traditions in Science".  In Science and Change, World Univ. Library, pp. 17-48.
  2. Presocratics:  Milesians (5 pages); Heraclitus & Parminedes (7 pages); Pluralists & Atomists (10 pages).
  3. Copenhaver, B. (trans.) (1992) "Poimandres" & "Asclepius".  In Hermetica, Cambridge Univ. Press, pp. 1-7; 67-92.
  4. Kaske, C. and J. Clark (trans.) (1998) Marsilio Ficino:  Three Books On Life, MRTS, pp. 239-249; 305-309; 321-333; 385-401.   (Odd pages only!)
  5. Pico della Mirandola:  Selections from Oration on the Dignity of Man and Conclusions (6 pages).
D.  On Reserve at Dibner (supplemental material for papers): 
  1. Copenhaver, B. (1986) "Renaissance Magic and Neoplatonic Philosophy:  Ennead 4.3-5 in Ficino’s De vita coelitus comparanda" in G. Garfagnini (ed.) Marsilio Ficino e il ritorno di Platone, Florence, pp. 351-369.
  2. Farmer, S. A. (1998) Syncretism in the West:  Pico’s 900 Theses (1486), MRTS, pp. 115 - 132.
  3. Walzer & M. Frede (eds.) (1985), Three Treatises on the Nature of Science, Hackett, pp. ix-xxxvi.
  4. Munitz, M. (ed) (1957) Theories of the Universe, MacMillan.  Selections from:  Ptolemy, The Almagest; Copernicus, On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres; Galileo, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems; Kepler, On the Principle Parts of the World.
  5. Westfall, R. (1984) ‘Newton and Alchemy’, in B. Vickers (ed.) Occult and Scientific Mentalities in the Renaissance, Cambridge:  Cambridge Univ. Press, 315-335.
III. Course Requirements
1. 6 short quizzes will be given at the beginning of class on the dates listed below.  These will consist of 3 or 4 questions from the study guide questions.  They will come directly from the readings and are meant solely to encourage good reading habits.  You will have 15 minutes to complete them.  The 5 of 6 quizz grades will count towards your total quizz grade.
2. You will be required to write three papers of about 5 pages each (typed, 10- or 12-point, double-spaced, spell-checked!).  Suggested topics for papers will be provided at least 2 weeks before their due dates.  These papers should conform to the guidelines for writing philosophy papers that will be handed out in class.  Late paper policy:  Late papers will be accepted but will be given an initial penalty of a third of a grade point, and a further penalty of a third of a grade point for every period of 4 days after the due date.  Example:  An A paper turned in one day late will receive an A-; an A paper turned in 4 days late will receive a B+; an A paper turned in 8 days late will receive a B; etc.  Under no circumstances will late papers be accepted after the date of the final.
3. One midterm and one final will be given.  They will consist of short essay questions.
IV.  Grade Distribution
Quizzes: 10% total
Papers: 45% total     (3 at 15% each)
Midterm: 20%
Final: 25%

V.  Reminders on University Policies
1. Incompletes.  It is university and HuSS departmental policy that incompletes can be given only in very extenuating circumstances (medical emergencies, etc.).  In particular, an incomplete cannot be given because of a heavy course load, job commitments, or because you've simply fallen behind in the course.  For this reason, you should attend every lecture and make sure you're aware of assignment deadlines and exam dates.  If for whatever reason you find yourself falling behind during the semester, do not hesitate to see the instructor as soon as possible.
2.
 University Honor System.  All students should be aware of the university policy on cheating and plagiarism.  Cheating on an exam, or plagiarizing on an essay assignment, are sufficient reasons for receiving an F in the course
VI.  Class Schedule
The following schedule may be subject to revision over the course of the semester.  Reading assignments must be completed by the date on which they appear.  Background Readings are optional.
Week 1
 Tues 9/4
Pre-Socratic Cosmology
Background Reading:  Kearney "Three Traditions in Science"; Milesians.
 Thurs 9/6
Pre-Socratic Cosmology
Reading:  Lindberg "The Greeks and the Cosmos".
Background Readings:  Heraclitus and Parmenides;
Pluralists & Atomists.
Week 2 Tues 9/11
Plato
Reading:  Plato:  Selections from Timaeus.
  9/13  Quiz #1
Plato cont.; Aristotle
Reading:  Lindberg "Aristotle's Philosophy of Nature".
Week 3 9/18
Aristotle
Readings:   Aristotle:  Selections from On the Heavens and Metaphysics.
 9/20
Plotinus
Reading:  Plotinus:  Selections from Enneads.
Week 4 9/25
Plotinus, cont.
 9/27    Quiz #2
The Hermetic Corpus and Magic
Readings:  Yates "Hermes Trismegistus" and "Ficino's Pimander and the Asclepius".
Background Readings:  Copenhaver (trans.) "Poimandres" and "Asclepius"
Week 5 10/2
The Hermetic Corpus and Magic, cont.
 10/4     Paper #1 due
Ficino:  Natural Magic and Cosmic Medicine
Readings:  Yates "Hermes Trismegistus and Magic", and "Ficino's Natural Magic".
Background Reading:  Kaske and Clark (trans.) Three Books on Life (excerpts).
Week 6 10/9
NO CLASS (Monday Classes Meet)
 10/11     Quiz #3
Ficino, cont.
Week 7 10/16
Pico:  Supernatural Magic and the Cabbala
Reading:  Yates "Pico Della Mirandola and Cabalist Magic".
Background Readings:  Pico:  Oration and selectrions from Conclusions.
 10/18
MIDTERM
Week 8
 10/23
Pico, cont. 		10/25     Quiz #4
Galen:  Empiricism, Rationalism and Scientific Knowledge
Background Reading:  Walzer & Frede, intro to Three Treatises on the Nature of Science.
Week 9
 10/30
Paracelsus:  Macrocosm & Microcosm and the Ontic Theory of Disease
Reading:  Kearney "The Mysterious Universe", pp. 114-125.
 11/1
Two World Views:  Ptolemy and Copernicus
Readings:  Kearney "The Mysterious Universe", pp. 96-104; Cohen 24-52.
Week 10
 11/6
Galileo:  Copernicanism and the Telescope
Reading:  Cohen 53-80.
 11/8     Quiz #5; Paper #2 due
Galileo and Aristotle on Motion
Reading:  Cohen 2-24; 81-126.
Week 11 11/13
Kepler:  Neoplatonism and the Harmony of the Heavens
Readings:  Kearney "The Mysterious Universe", pp. 130-140; Cohen 127-147.
 11/15
Descartes and the Mechanical Philosophy
Reading:  Descartes:  Selections from Principles of Philosophy.
Week 12 11/20
Hobbes and the Cambridge Platonists
Reading:  Koyre "Indefinite Extension or Infinite Space" and "God and Space, Spirit and Matter".
 11/22
THANKSGIVING
Week 13 11/27
Newton and the Mechanical Philosophy
Readings:  Cohen 124-164; Newton:  Selections from The Principia.  		11/29  Quiz #6
Newton:  Ancient Wisdom and Alchemy
Reading:  McGuire & Rattansi "Newton and the Pipes of Pan".
Week 14 12/4
 Newton:  The New Synthesis
Reading:  Cohen 164-184. 		12/6    Paper #3 due
Makeup and Review
Week 15
 Final (date to be announced by registrar)