OVERVIEW

The course focuses on the relationship between art and science, studying the concepts of space, time, and movement. The focus will be on the arts of space (painting, sculpture, architecture), the arts of time (music, literature), and the arts of movement (dance, performance), establishing a dialogue between them and similar scientific concepts. Guided readings of selected articles or book chapters are aimed at raising awareness of the debates that characterize contemporary reflection on the relationship between art and science.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to analyze specific objects of aesthetic appreciation. These are both objects of artistic relevance (art forms, genres, styles) and entities of other nature (natural objects,technical objects, social objects, scientific theories, historiographical texts). These case studies will allow us to understand how the conceptual apparatus of aesthetics is to be deployed.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The primary objective of the course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the notions of space, time, and motion, and the relationship between art and science, within the framework of philosophical aesthetics. It also aims to familiarize students with contemporary debates on the aesthetics of space, time, and motion, and with some emblematic texts on the issues debated.

The expected learning outcomes for students are as follows:

1) Be able to provide an appropriate characterization of the notion of space, time, and movement in art and science.

2) Be able to provide an appropriate characterization of the arts of space.

3) Be able to provide an appropriate characterization of the arts of time.

4) Be able to provide an appropriate characterization of the arts of movement.

5) Understand the relationship between art and science.

6) Identify the specificities of space, time, and movement in art, contrasting them with their counterparts in science.

7) Critically read texts related to contemporary debates on art and science, identifying their theses and arguments.

8) Critically read texts related to contemporary debates on space, time, and movement, identifying their theses and arguments.

9) Acquire a greater ability to manage one's social interactions with a collaborative attitude, constructive communication, and dialogic skills.

10) Demonstrate autonomy in working, the ability to manage primary literature, argumentative skills, and a collaborative, coordinative, and negotiating attitude.

PREREQUISITES

Although the class is taught in Italian, understanding of texts written in English is required.

TEACHING METHODS

IN PRESENCE CLASSES

The course consists of 40 hours, with phases of collective discussion and learning verification. In particular, preliminary readings will be given for some lectures and a preparatory exercise of identifying the main thesis, enucleating the argument that supports it, and taking a position on that thesis and argument will be required.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

– The Relationship Between Art and Science

– The Arts of Space

– The Arts of Time

– The Arts of Movement

– Space in Art and Science

– Time in Art and Science

– Movement in Art and Science

– The Relationship Between Culture and Nature

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1) Sean Carroll, Spazio, tempo, movimento, Cortina

2) Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Laocoonte, https://archive.org/details/dellaocoonteosia00less/page/22/mode/2up

3) Other readings that will be indicated on AulaWeb

4) Only for the students who don't attend the classes ("non-frequentanti"): Elisa Caldarola, Filosofia dell'arte contemporanea, Quodlibet 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Students are required to write an essay between 2,500 and 3,000 words in length on one of the topics discussed in class. A list of essay titles and methodological guidelines will be provided by the instructor. The title must be chosen in consultation with the instructor. A first draft of the essay must be emailed to the instructor at the end of the first half of the course (i.e., before the eleventh lesson). The final version must be submitted at least two weeks before the exam date. The oral exam will involve both a critical discussion of the essay and demonstrating mastery of other course topics.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the class, the active participation of students is encouraged and valued while discussing particular aspects of the program. The final test will allow to assess the level of understanding the philosophical ideas that has been thought, the mastery of them and the ability to present them, as well as the disposition for critical analysis of theses and arguments, and the propensity to their construction. The student who shows understanding of the basic notions and issues concerning series and seriality, and presents them clearly and coherently, but only in their essential lines, is assessed as “sufficient”. The student who masters the basic notions and issues, and is able to analyze them is assessed as “good”. The student who, in addition to mastering the basic notions and issues, and being able to analyze them, also proves to be inclined to the construction of original theses and arguments is assessed as “outstanding”.