OVERVIEW

Philosophy of religion developed within Modern-Age thought between the 17th and the 18th centuries, as a reaction to the religious wars in Europe. It acquired the status of academic teaching in the Age of Enlightenment and German Idealism. Nevertheless, its object (a reflection on religion that moves from speculative assumptions) was already studied by Greek philosophy, which developed a rational criticism (based on logos) and applied it to mythical discourse since the Age of Pre-Socratic philosophers.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will learn to define, through a phenomenological and transcendental method, the peculiar nature and structure of the religious experience, independent and different from other domains of the spirit (ethic, aesthetic, metaphysic domain). Students will learn to explain how the independent status of religion is the result of a long, analytical work, and the result of a speculative process which started at the beginning of Modern Age; the outcome of this process is philosophy of religion becoming a unique field of knowledge. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Developing critical thinking towards the religious experience, moving from speculative assumptions, and showing its universal, ecumenic nature.

TEACHING METHODS

Oral exam

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Contents for students who are taking the 6-CFU course

The parable of the three rings. Migrations and transformations of a novella between East and West

The Tale of Rings is a popular subject both in Eastern and Western culture: from its oldest version dating back to the 8th century – the Parable of the Lost Pearl in the darkened house, in a dialog between Timothy I the Patriarch and Caliph Al-Mahdī in Baghdad –, to the third novella of the first day of The Decameron, to Lessing's play Nathan the Wise, the tale introduces an element of disturbing complexity in Abrahamic Religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). This element is represented by the 'lacuna', the 'void', the authentic ring lost among the copies, and the impossibility to determine which one is the original one, who has it and where to find it. This doubt – in Boccaccio's novella – originated when the good father made two copies of the ring in order to give a ring to each son, so none of them would feel demeaned.  This 'void' reminds all religions that all claims for authenticity are vain, together with intolerance and close-mindedness.

Contents for students who are taking the 9-CFU course

a) The parable of the three rings. Migrations and transformations of a novella between East and West

The Tale of Rings is a popular subject both in Eastern and Western culture: from its oldest version dating back to the 8th century – the Parable of the Lost Pearl in the darkened house, in a dialog between Timothy I the Patriarch and Caliph Al-Mahdī in Bagdad –, to the third novella of the first day of The Decameron, to Lessing's play Nathan the Wise, the tale introduces an element of disturbing complexity in Abrahamic Religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). This element is represented by the 'lacuna', the 'void', the authentic ring lost among the copies, and the impossibility to determine which one is the original one, who has it and where to find it. This doubt – in Boccaccio's novella – originated when the good father made two copies of the ring in order to give a ring to each son, so none of them would feel demeaned. This 'void' reminds all religions that all claims for authenticity are vain, together with intolerance and close-mindedness.

b) The future of religion Two dialogs

Starting from two philosophical dialogs, a reflection upon the perspectives in the 21st century will be developed.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The reading list for this course, together with the lecturer's suggestions and instructions are available on the Italian version of the web page.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ROBERTO CELADA BALLANTI (President)

FRANCESCO CAMERA

GERARDO CUNICO

DOMENICO VENTURELLI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 26, 2017

Class schedule

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

EXAMS

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral exam

Exam schedule