OVERVIEW

Since Philosophy presents itself in distinct disciplinary fields, Ethics has assumed an exceptional importance in the field of philosophical studies. Today, more than yesterday, it has become the irreplaceable cornerstone of human and humanistic disciplines in general, almost coming to assume that role of "first Philosophy" that had been, in other times, Metaphysics. We highlight only this: his task, at the extreme limit, is man's commitment to the eternal in time.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Being able to analyze the origins of Ethics in Greek philosophy, and to question the idea of Ethics as the 'prime philosophy' in modern and contemporary philosophical currents. Getting acquainted with the Platonic-Aristotelian tradition and being able to inquire into the philosophical connections (from Kant onwards) between ethics and metaphysics, ethics and religion, ethics and ontology, ethics and politics, ethics and history. Developing one's independent, critical thinking, one's creative thinking, and the philosophical orienteering abilities needed to face challenges in every domain of life.

TEACHING METHODS

The lectures concerns different authors and different perspectives in order to solicit, as far as possible, the lively dialogue and the active participation of the students. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Contents for students who are taking the 6-CFU course

Title of the course: Ethics, faith and history. The three terms, strictly related to one other, are the cornerstones of a course that addresses ever-open questions. Ethics - as a theory for action (for praxis) and a preparation for action in the name of a justified revolt against evil. If the swift moment I entreat: / Tarry a while! You are so fair!  / Then forge the shackles to my feet / Then I will gladly perish there! / Then let them toll the passing-bell ... (Faust, I, lines 1699-1703). Ethics - which includes passivity and passion as much as activity and action. Faith - not as a theological virtue ("the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen" – Dante's Paradise), but as the hidden force without which the human being can't start nor accomplish anything. History - not as the tale of what happened, but as the time and space of happening, the space of action, the space in which action changes into passion; tangle of good and evil, realm of the unexpectedness of Event. Meaning is what appears in the instant, what guides and supports the action; meaning can be found in symbols and cyphers through faith – no matter what the object of that faith is – but always within the limits of human understanding. ... Thus everything from Heaven passes quickly, but not in vain (Hölderlin)  

Contents for students who are taking the 9-CFU course

The second module of the course will further develop the themes of the first module by presenting how they are related to the modern struggle between human, Über-human and anti-human perspectives

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

DOMENICO VENTURELLI (President)

FRANCESCO CAMERA

ROBERTO CELADA BALLANTI

SIMONA LANGELLA

DANIELE ROLANDO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 13, 2018

Class schedule

ETHICS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Throughout the semester, the professor will assess students' ability to interpret classics and give a personal elaboration, rather than success in learning notions. Oral exam on topics and authors studied during this course.

Exam schedule