Événement

Huntington U: The Age of Genius: Rene Descartes and the Seventeenth Century

Thursdays, March 7-April 11
1-3 p.m.

Gideon Manning, visiting scholar at Claremont Graduate University, leads a six-week class examining the life, philosophy and scientific achievements of Rene Descartes, one of the seventeenth-centurys most influential scientists and philosophers. Lectures and discussions cover a range of topics: how was Descartes educated and in what ways did he follow his teachers? What were his major philosophical contributions? How did his scientific innovations contribute to the rise of modern science? This course provides an opportunity to witness the melding of science and philosophy, intellectual and social context, nationalist identity, and the range of intellectual activity pursued by the polymaths of the early modern period. Weekly reading assignments are taken from Descartes corpus and the writers who influenced his thinking and as well those who responded to his ideas. Class meetings include interaction with the diverse holdings of The Huntingtons collection, including works in the history of science, medicine, and philosophy.

Class is held in the Seaver Classroom 3 of the Munger Research Center. Visit any admission window for directions to the Munger Research Center for check-in at 12:45 p.m.

Registration is not available day of the event. To be added to a wait list, call 626-405-3457. Refunds require 5-day cancellation notification.