OVERVIEW

The course is aimed at students who intend to understand one of the most basic disciplines of philosophy, the theory of knowledge (i.e. epistemology),  knowledge that Aristotle considers the essence of human beings. if an individual cannot know, then, he or she is not a human being.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To provide the necessary tools to answer crucial questions about knowledge and reality, through the consideration of both classical and contemporary theories. To give a particular emphasis to those questions that shed light on the nature of human beings and whose answers are linked to conceptual analysis, good arguments and mental experiments, in order to clarify longstanding but still pressing issues.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Teaching objectives:

• to provide the necessary conceptual and terminological tools to begin answering crucial questions about knowledge and reality;

• to give a particular emphasis to those questions that shed light on the nature of human beings and whose answers are linked to conceptual analysis, good arguments and mental experiments, in order to clarify longstanding but still pressing issues;

• to discuss the main theoretical positions on the nature of knowledge through direct reference to both classical and contemporary texts.

At the end of the course the student must be able to:

• understand the specific conceptual and terminological apparatus of the discipline, as well as the tools to develop clear and rigorous arguments;

• explain and synthesize classical and contemporary texts on the theory of knowledge;

• apply conceptual analysis, good arguments and thought experiments in the discussion of problems concerning knowledge and reality.

PREREQUISITES

The course is aimed at students  inclined to argumentative clarity and rigor in reasoning interested in both the more classical and the more contemporary themes of philosophy.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures will be held in presence, if possible. But students will have the oppurtunity to attend online lectures too (Teams code 8pbkxbs). 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Contents for students who are taking the 6-CFU course:

Part I

Knowledge, reality, intersubjectivity.

The lessons will be dedicated to an in-depth study of the relationship between knowledge and reality, within the framework of today’s debate on the theme of realism and on the specificity of theoretical knowledge, distinct from other forms (such as praxis and poiesis). The main exponents of the phenomenological-hermeneutic current will be discussed (Heidegger and Husserl).

Contents for students who are taking the 9-CFU course:

Knowledge, reality, intersubjectivity.

Part I

The lessons will be dedicated to an in-depth study of the relationship between knowledge and reality, within the framework of today’s debate on the theme of realism and on the specificity of theoretical knowledge, distinct from other forms (such as praxis and poiesis). The main exponents of the phenomenological-hermeneutic current will be discussed (Heidegger and Husserl).

Part II

The second part of the course will examin some sections of Husserl's Cartesian Meditations, introducing students to some fundamental issues of phenomenology and analyzing in particular the problem of knowledge in relation to subjectivity and intersubjectivity.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for students who are taking the 6-CFU course:

M. Heidegger, Essere e tempo, ed. it. a cura di F. Volpi sulla versione di P. Chiodi, Longanesi, Milano 2005 (§§ 1- 44; 68).

A. Fabris, “Essere e tempo” di Heidegger. Introduzione alla lettura, Carocci, Roma 2010.

C. Esposito, Introduzione a Heidegger, Il Mulino, Bologna 2017.

Bibliography for students who are taking the 9-CFU course:

M. Heidegger, Essere e tempo, ed. it. a cura di F. Volpi sulla versione di P. Chiodi, Longanesi, Milano 2005 (§§ 1- 44).

A. Fabris, “Essere e tempo” di Heidegger. Introduzione alla lettura, Carocci, Roma 2010.

C. Esposito, Introduzione a Heidegger, Il Mulino, Bologna 2017.

E. Husserl, Meditazioni cartesiane e Lezioni parigine, Morcelliana, Brescia 2020. (sezioni indicate all’inizio del corso).

V. Costa, Husserl, Carocci, Roma 2009.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FRANCESCO CAMERA (President)

EDOARDO SIMONOTTI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Tuesday 22 February 2022.

Class schedule

THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam.

Exam schedule