OVERVIEW

Friendship plays a central role in our lives. We pay special attention to friendship relationships, partly because they are able to influence our identity. The centrality of these relationships gives rise to important questions about the nature, justification, and value of friendship. 
This course aims to introduce and critically discuss the main philosophical views on these questions to provide students with an overview of the most important discussions on the anthropological, moral, and epistemic aspects of friendship relationships.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Introducing and critically analyzing the fundamental themes of the discipline - relating to personal identity, free will, responsibility and action - through the typical methods of philosophical reflection. Providing the tools to understand and interpret classical and contemporary texts related to the above themes.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The specific objectives of the course encompass:

• Introducing the main philosophical theories about friendship;
• Presenting and discussing the main open questions about friendship relationships;
• Analyzing the anthropological, moral, and epistemic implications of these discussions. 

The main expected learning outcomes encompass:

• Acquiring knowledge of the main views and discussions on the topics under consideration;
• Developing the appropriate conceptual, terminological, and methodological tools of (analytic) philosophical discussion;
• Learning how to critically analyze specialistic philosophical essays and developing argumentation and collective discussion skills.
• Acquiring a greater ability to manage one's social interactions with a collaborative attitude, constructive communication, and dialogical skills.
• Demonstrating work autonomy, ability to handle primary literature, argumentative ability and collaborative attitude, coordination and negotiation.
• Acquiring the ability to learn how to learn 
• Acquiring the ability to write essays and create projects 

TEACHING METHODS

The course will alternate between traditional lectures and in-class presentations given by attending students. 

Students are required to register on Aulaweb, where useful materials for the course will be uploaded.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

In the first part of the course, we will analyze the nature, justification, and value of friendship relations, also in comparison with other types of special relationships (romantic, sexual, etc.). In the second part of the course, we will examine the normative conflicts that friendship can generate, the problem of partiality, and the connection between friendship, love, and sex in exclusive and non-exclusive relationships.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography (6 cfu):

1) One volume among the following (or other options to be selected with the lecturer):

• Aristotele, Etica Nicomachea, Bompiani, Milano 2001/Laterza, Roma-Bari 1998.
• Platone, Dialoghi sull'amicizia e sull'amore, Edizioni Theoria, Rimini 2024.

2) One presentation in class on a relevant topic (which has to be selected together with the lecturer)

3) One short paper (2500-3000) on a relevant topic (which has to be selected together with the lecturer)

Bibliography (9 cfu):

1) One volume among the following (or other options to be agreed upon with the lecturer):

• Aristotele, Etica Nicomachea, Bompiani, Milano 2001/Laterza, Roma-Bari 1998.
• Platone, Dialoghi sull'amicizia e sull'amore, Edizioni Theoria, Rimini 2024.

2) One volume among the following (or other options to be agreed upon with the lecturer):

• Baracchi, C. Amicizia. Mursia, Milano 2020.
• Borgna, E. Sull'amicizia. Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2022.
• Cerasi, E. Dell'amico. Storia e critica dell'idea dell'amicizia, Mimesis, Milano 2024.
• Chappell, S. G. A Philosopher Looks at Friendship, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2024.
• Jeske, D. (a cura di), The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Friendship, Routledge, London 2023 (selezione di saggi)
• Kristjánsson, K. Friendship for Virtue. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2022.

3) A presentation in class on a relevant topic (which has to be agreed upon with the lecturer)

4) A term paper (2500-3000) on a relevant topic (which has to be agreed upon with the lecturer)

Students who do not attend the course (“non frequentanti”):

The instructions for 1), 2) and 4) remain unchanged. The class presentation will be replaced by another text (or set of essays) to be agreed upon with the instructor.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MICHEL CROCE (President)

MARIA SILVIA VACCAREZZA

CORRADO FUMAGALLI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 10, 2026

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Students who attend the course (“frequentanti”): in-class presentation, written essay evaluation, and oral exam

The essay must be sent to the lecturer at least two weeks before the oral exam date. Students must enroll in the exam session at least one week before the exam date.

Students who do not attend the course (“non frequentanti”): written essay evaluation and oral exam 

The essay must be sent to the lecturer at least two weeks before the oral exam date. Students must enroll in the exam session at least one week before the exam date.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students who attend the course (frequentanti): 

• in-class presentation (10 points out of 30): understanding of the topic presented, argumentative ability, and clarity of exposition
• evaluation of the essay (10 points out of 30): understanding of the topic presented, argumentative ability, and clarity of exposition 
• oral examination (10 points out of 30): understanding of the topics covered in the program and the ability to critically analyze the philosophical positions under discussion 

Students who do not attend the course (non frequentanti): 

• evaluation of the essay (15 points out of 30): understanding of the topic presented, argumentative ability, and clarity of exposition
• oral examination (15 points out of 30): understanding of the topics covered in the program and the ability to critically analyze the philosophical positions under discussion 

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Those who do not attend the course (“non frequentanti”) are required to inform the lecturer.