Philosophical Ethics is not only the study and critical analysis of customs and institutions historically handed down, but it is especially a philosophically founded research of the Good aimed at the practice and the forming of honest ties. It is the tension of the mortal being towards the eternal, in the distinct but not unrelated ways of life: aesthetic, political, philosophical, religious, scientific. It is the wisdom of good death. It is, in short, the phenomenology of the eternal in the time of mortal existence.
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.
At the end of the course the student should be able to: use the basic vocabulary of the discipline; assimilate the fundamental concepts in a critical and personal form; discuss in an original way the contents, the evolutionary lines, the permanent problems.
The lectures will hopefully be held in person, with the possibility for students to follow them remotely via the Teams platform (code xgk3owg).
The figure of Socrates between ethics and religion: the "Euthyphron's dilemma".
The course proposes, in the first part, an analysis and a comment on some Socratic dialogues of Plato, with particular reference to the Euthyphron, at the center of which lies the problematic node of the "Euthyphron's dilemma", which will be explored in its fundamentals implications and repercussions on ethics, religion, law, politics.
Contents for students who are taking the 9-CFU course
Part I:The figure of Socrates between ethics and religion: the "Euthyphron's dilemma".
Part II: Socrates and the metamorphosis of love (between philosophy and psychoanalysis).
In the second part of the course, the lessons will retrace the paths traveled by Jacques Lacan in reading the sides of love proposed in the Platonic Symposium, to attest how psychoanalysis actively participates in the method inaugurated by Socrates. Some lessons will be held by prof. D. Venturelli and dr. Roberto Gennaro.
The reading list for this course, together with the lecturer's suggestions and instructions are available on the Italian version of the web page.
Ricevimento: Thursday 2-3 PM (DAFIST, Philosophy Section via Balbi 4, 2nd floor)
ROBERTO CELADA BALLANTI (President)
GERARDO CUNICO
February 22, 2022
ETHICS
The exam takes place in oral, dialogical form, and focuses mainly on authors and texts, themes and problems discussed during the lessons. The submission of a paper is optional and does not replace the oral exam.
In the final evaluation will be taken into consideration:
the level of of the lexicon and of the basic notions of the discipline; the level of understanding of philosophical texts in their historical context, but also to in their supra-historical meaning; the ability to critically argue and discuss permanent questions and fundamental ethical questions in innovative and personal forms.
Attendance and direct contact with the teacher are recommended.
