Topics in Early Modern Philosophy: Philosophy of Mary Shepherd

Phil 233: Topics in Early Modern Philosophy - 

The Philosophy of Mary Shepherd

Spring 2026

 

Important Information

Where: Emerson Hall 310

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays - 10:30-11:45

Professor:  Jeffrey McDonough

Office Hours: Monday, 3:00-4:30 and by appointment

Email: jkmcdon@fas.harvard.edu

 

Course Description

This course offers an intensive study of the philosophy of Mary Shepherd, with the aim of placing graduate students in a position to contribute to current research on her work. We will closely read Shepherd’s two major publications, An Essay upon the Relation of Cause and Effect (1824) and Essays on the Perception of an External Universe (1827), alongside a selection of recent and in-progress research articles on her metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind. Students will be invited to attend a two-and-a-half-day workshop bringing leading scholars of Shepherd’s philosophy to campus. Participants will have opportunities to present their work to the seminar and to develop an original research paper over the course of the term.

 

 

Required Texts

Antonia LoLordo, editor. Mary Shepherd’s Essays on the Perception of an External Universe. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020. ISBN-13: 978-0-19-085427-0.

 

Don Garrett, editor. 2024. Mary Shepherd’s An Essay upon the Relation of Cause and Effect. New York:  Oxford University Press.  ISBN-13: 978-0197649657

 

George Berkeley. A Treatise concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge. (Any edition.)

 

George Berkeley. Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous. (Any edition.)

 

David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature. (Any edition.)

 

David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. (Any edition.)  

 

 

Guiding Principles and Objectives

Phil 233 is a seminar in the history of philosophy. Throughout the course, we will aim both to understand and to critically assess the views of the figures we study. Students who engage seriously with the course can expect to:

 

• Gain a deeper understanding of central issues in early modern philosophy, including theories of causation and necessity, the problem of induction, probability and scientific reasoning, skepticism about the external world, idealism and materialism, the nature of mind and self, perception, miracles, and the epistemological foundations of religious belief.

 

• Develop skills in cooperative philosophical discussion oriented toward the shared goal of clarifying texts, positions, and arguments.

 

• Strengthen interpretive abilities through careful reconstruction of the philosophical views, arguments, and historical contexts of other thinkers.

 

• Develop research and philosophical writing skills through scaffolded assignments, a formal presentation, and a seminar paper on a topic of the student’s choosing.

 

Course Requirements and Policies

 

Attendance

This course is a research seminar and depends on sustained collective participation. Attendance at all seminar meetings is therefore expected. Missing a session means missing essential discussion, and it also deprives the seminar of your contributions. Absences should be limited to cases of illness or genuine emergency. If such a situation arises, please notify the instructor as soon as possible.

 

Reading and Discussion

Each class meeting has assigned readings accompanied by a discussion guide. Students are expected to complete the readings in advance and to be prepared to discuss all questions on the guide. In addition, each student should add their first name next to two questions in the shared Google Doc, indicating the questions on which they are prepared to initiate discussion. Active, informed participation by all students is required.

 

Scaffolding Assignments

Throughout the course, students will complete small assignments intended to advance their individual research projects. These scaffolded steps, listed on the course site, include identifying and researching topics, drafting topics, outlining, drafting an introduction, and preparing a seminar presentation.

 

Presentation Assignment

Each student will give a semi-formal presentation related to their research project. The presentation may focus on a central thesis, a specific argument or set of arguments, or a piece of secondary literature central to the project. Presentations may use a handout, notes, or slides. Students may read from a prepared paper only if it has been written with oral presentation in mind. Presentation times will be determined partly by the number of students in the course, but students should expect them to be approximately 20-30 minutes (with time for discussion).

 

Research Paper

The final research paper is due on the final Thursday of finals week, May 14, by 10:30 a.m. Papers should be 3,000–4,000 words in length, clearly written, and carefully polished. Each paper should advance a clear thesis and articulate a coherent strategy for defending it. Portions of the paper may be presented in outline form rather than fully written prose. Further details and expectations will be discussed in class.

 

Shepherd Workshop

The Harvard History of Philosophy Workshop will host a two-and-a-half-day workshop on the philosophy of Mary Shepherd, organized by Keota Fields. Many of the authors whose work we will read during the semester, along with other leading scholars of Shepherd’s philosophy, are expected to attend. Students are expected to take advantage of this opportunity by attending as many workshop sessions as their schedules permit.

 

Grading

Final grades will be based on performance in seminar discussion (30%), completion of scaffolding assignments (10%), the seminar presentation (20%), and the final research paper (40%).

 

Special Needs and Emergencies

Students who require special assistance are encouraged to inform the instructor early in the semester. Every effort will be made to provide appropriate support. Absences and late submissions may be handled in accordance with the policies of the Harvard College Handbook for Students.

 

Statement of Accommodation

Harvard University values inclusive excellence and providing equal educational opportunities for all students. Our goal is to remove barriers for disabled students related to inaccessible elements of instruction or design in this course. If reasonable accommodations are necessary to provide access, please contact the Disability Access Office (DAO). Accommodations do not alter fundamental requirements of the course and are not retroactive. Students should request accommodations as early as possible, since they may take time to implement. Students should notify DAO at any time during the semester if adjustments to their communicated accommodation plan are needed.

 

Artificial Intelligence Policy

You may use generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools such as ChatGPT in constructing your final essay. Any use of GAI tools, however, must be appropriately acknowledged and cited. It is each student’s responsibility to assess the validity and applicability of any GAI output that is submitted; you bear the final responsibility. Violations of this policy will be considered academic misconduct. Please note that different classes at Harvard could implement different AI policies, and it is the student’s responsibility to conform to expectations for each course.

 

Technology policy

Portable electronic devices—laptops, tablets, smartphones—are not permitted during our seminar meetings, with the sole exception of students who have arranged approved accommodations through the Disability Access Office (DAO).