This course provides an overview of the problems, positions, and main lines of argument of Western European philosophy in the period, roughly, from Montaigne (1580) to Kant (1781). Philosophical issues are contextualized by reformation, scientific and political revolution, `enlightenment,? colonialism, and the slave trade. The role of criticism and critique in the achievement of the emerging modern paradigm is a course theme. Topics include knowledge, skepticism, and faith; empiricism, rationalism, `mechanical philosophy? and idealism; mind, body, and substance; freedom and determinism; God, natural law, morality, and justice.