OVERVIEW

What is an action? What is the causal impact of intention on actions? What is the relationship between subjective individual motivations and actions? These are the questions we will address in this course. To do so, we will go through three key authors in the political and moral philosophy of the early twentieth century. Lectures and seminars will help students to examine different way of theorizing actions and to grasp differences and similarities between continental and analytical practical philosophy.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Develop capacities in critical reading, thinking, speaking, and writing; cultivate collaborative learning, reasoning, and writing skills; develop a vocabulary to study and assess different works in contemporary practical philosophy; acquire knowledge of foundational concepts in moral and political theory; master literature in contemporary action theory; gain control of concepts such as "action" and "intention".

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

6CFU students: 

Develop capacities in critical reading, and thinking;

Develop a vocabulary to study and assess different works in contemporary practical philosophy;

Acquire knowledge of foundational concepts in moral and political theory;

Master literature in contemporary action theory.

9CFU students:

Develop capacities in critical reading, thinking, writing and public speaking;

Cultivate collaborative learning, reasoning, and writing skills; D

evelop a vocabulary to study and assess different works in contemporary practical philosophy;

Acquire knowledge of foundational concepts in moral and political theory;

Master literature in contemporary action theory; gain control of concepts such as "action" and "intention".

PREREQUISITES

It's an advanced course which presupposes a past  frequence of the course of  'antropologia filosofica' or other moral course of the 'laurea triennale in filosofia'

TEACHING METHODS

Public lectures for 6 CFU Students and Public lectures and seminars for 9 CFU Students.

Readings are very complex in that they involve mastering several concepts and authors in the Western canon. Participation is therefore strongly recommended. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The discovery of the Homo agens: theorising about action in the Twentieth Century

6 CFU Students

M. Blondel, L’azione. Saggio di una critica della vita e di una scienza della prassi, Ed. Paoline, 1993. (selected passages)

L. Von Mises, L’azione umana. Trattato di economia, UTET 1959. (selected passages)

“Studenti non frequentanti” must study one of the two readings in its entirety.

9 CFU Students

M. Blondel, L’azione. Saggio di una critica della vita e di una scienza della prassi, Ed. Paoline, 1993. (selected passages)

L. Von Mises, L’azione umana. Trattato di economia, UTET 1959. (selected passages)

G.E.M. Anscombe, Intenzione, EDUSC 2016 o G.E.M: Anscombe, Intention, Harvard University Press 2000. (selected passages)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

6 CFU Students: 

M. Blondel, L’azione. Saggio di una critica della vita e di una scienza della prassi, Ed. Paoline, 1993.

L. Von Mises, L’azione umana. Trattato di economia, UTET 1959.

9 CFU Students

G.E.M. Anscombe, Intenzione, EDUSC 2016 o G.E.M: Anscombe, Intention, Harvard University Press 2000. 

"Studenti non frequentanti" might also want to read the following introductions.

Elisa Grimi, G.E.M. Anscombe: guida alla lettura di Intention, Carocci. 

Eddy Carli, Mente e azione. Un'indagine nella filosofia analitica. Wittgenstein, Anscombe, von Wright, Davidson. 

John Schwenkler, Anscombe's Intention, Oxford University Press. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CORRADO FUMAGALLI (President)

DANIELE ROLANDO

ANGELO CAMPODONICO (Substitute)

VALERIA OTTONELLI (Substitute)

MIRELLA PASINI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

23 Sept 2020

Wed: 14-16

Thu: 12-14

Fri: 13-15

Class schedule

THEMES OF PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

"Studenti frequentanti"

6 CFU Students: 
An oral exam. 

9 CFU Students:
An oral exam and a term paper. 

"Studenti non frequentanti"

6 CFU Students: 
An oral exam. 

9 CFU Students:
An oral exam and a term paper. 

*Students are required to email the term paper at least 7 days prior to the oral exam. 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the oral exam the student should: display a good knowledge of the literature; compare reading; assess and discuss readings; display a critical attitude.

Exam schedule