OVERVIEW

The course explores the formation and development of scientific ideas and practices, analyzing them within their historical, philosophical, and social context. It focuses on the early modern period, with particular attention to the period known as the “Scientific Revolution.”

The fundamental features of modern science are examined, including the establishment of its autonomy from philosophy and religion, the formalization of scientific language, the dissemination of experimental and theoretical results, the role of instruments, and the central importance of visual representation in the construction of scientific knowledge.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Outlining the historical development of the different sciences to analyze, then, their theoretical and methodological structure. Acquiring a solid knowledge of the history of scientific-philosophical thought from ancient times to the present day in order to offer extensive information on today's debate in the various areas of scientific research. Promote an appropriate approach to the use of bibliographic tools, texts, and the different argumentative and epistemological methods of the different sciences.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired:

• specialized knowledge of the history of science in the early modern period;
• the ability to analyze key scientific texts from the period of the Scientific Revolution;
• a study methodology for addressing the main problems of early modern science;
• mastery of specialized terminology;
• the ability for critical and independent reflection on the history of science;
• the ability to design, develop, and write a research project aimed at a written paper.

PREREQUISITES

None. 

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes both lectures and seminars, as well as student-organized presentations. Attendance and active participation in the course are strongly encouraged. Oral presentations are an integral part of the learning process and grant eligibility for partial exemption from the oral exam (see below).

Classes are held in person. Working students and non-attending students are invited to contact the instructor. Only for those who request it will it be possible to attend classes remotely (via streaming on Teams).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Course title: Conceptions of the Universe between the Renaissance and the Modern Age.

The course addresses the historical and theoretical problems of the cosmological and astronomical “revolution” that took place between the mid-16th century and the early decades of the 17th century. The lectures will focus in particular on issues related to Copernicanism, its motivations, and its scientific and philosophical sources, through a reading of the first book of De revolutionibus.

The course will then proceed to the study of the “cosmological problem” from the late 16th century to the first half of the 17th century. To this end, the central part of the course will be devoted to the works of Giordano Bruno (1548–1600), who developed the consequences of heliocentrism both in natural philosophy and in the relationship between science, philosophy, and religion. The reading of The Ash Wednesday Supper (La Cena de le ceneri) will be accompanied by excerpts from other Brunian texts, including the “metaphysical” dialogues On Cause, Principle and Unity (De la causa, principio et uno) and On the Infinite, Universe and Worlds (De l’infinito, universo e mondi).

Finally, the course will consider the evolution of the cosmological debate in the early 17th century, through the reading of excerpts from the works of Kepler, Galileo, and/or Descartes.

The topics covered include:

• Modern science and humanism
• Cosmology and metaphysics
• Heliocentrism and the infinite extension of the universe
• Cosmological models and the visual representation of the universe
• The origin of cosmology as a philosophical discipline
• Astronomical discoveries and natural philosophy
• Natural philosophy and mathematics

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

— Exam syllabus for 6 credits

Niccolò Copernicus, De revolutionibus, Book I. A recent translation can be found in Niccolò Copernicus, La struttura del cosmo, introduction by M. Blay, commentary by J. Seidengart, translation by R. Giroldini, Florence, Olschki, 2009.

Giordano Bruno, The Ash Wednesday Supper (La cena de le ceneri). Students are advised to use the complete edition of the Italian dialogues: Giordano Bruno, Opere italiane, edited by N. Ordine, Turin, UTET, 2002 (also available in electronic format - ebook).

Th. Kuhn, The Copernican Revolution. Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought, Turin, Einaudi.

— Exam syllabus for 9 credits

Niccolò Copernicus, De revolutionibus, Book I. A recent translation can be found in Niccolò Copernicus, La struttura del cosmo, introduction by M. Blay, commentary by J. Seidengart, translation by R. Giroldini, Florence, Olschki, 2009.

Giordano Bruno, The Ash Wednesday Supper (La cena de le ceneri). Students are advised to use the complete edition of the Italian dialogues: Giordano Bruno, Opere italiane, edited by N. Ordine, Turin, UTET, 2002 (also available in electronic format - ebook).

Th. Kuhn, The Copernican Revolution. Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought, Turin, Einaudi.

One text chosen from:

• H. Gatti, Giordano Bruno and Renaissance Science, Milan, R. Cortina, 2000.
• R. Westman, The Copernican Question. Prognostication, Skepticism and Celestial Order, Berkeley, University of California Press, 2011. Chapters 1–5 (pp. 25–169), 8–10 (pp. 223–306).
• M. Bucciantini, M. Camerota, F. Giudice, Galileo’s Telescope. A European History, Turin, Einaudi, 2012.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons take place in the second term (starts 15th February 2027). The timetable and classroom locations will be communicated as soon as possible.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students:
Students may choose between an oral exam and a research project/short paper of approximately 20 pages (about 5,000 words), to be agreed with the instructor at least one month before the scheduled submission date.

In both cases, the evaluation will consider critical understanding of the topics covered, the ability to analyze texts, and mastery of philosophical and scientific language.

The exam may be taken in English. Students wishing to do so are advised to contact the instructor in order to agree on an English-language bibliography.

Non-attending students:
Oral exam.

Pre-registration for the exam is mandatory and must be completed at least one week before the selected exam session.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Gli studenti dovranno dimostrare:

1) la conoscenza dei testi di esame e del loro contesto storico e filosofico.

2) capacità di analisi critica dei temi e dei testi affrontati durante il corso;

3) coerenza argomentativa e padronanza del linguaggio scientifico e filosofico.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD/DSA).

Students with disabilities or SLD/DSA are reminded that, in order to request exam accommodations, they must first upload their certification on the university website at servizionline.unige.it, in the “Students” section. The documentation will be verified by the University’s Student Inclusion Services for students with disabilities and SLD/DSA (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).

Afterwards, and well in advance (at least 7 days before the exam date), students must send an email to the instructor with whom they will take the exam, copying both the School Inclusion Coordinator for students with disabilities and SLD/DSA (email of the coordinator) and the above-mentioned office. The email must specify:

• the name of the course
• the exam session date
• the student’s surname, name, and matriculation number
• the requested and/or useful compensatory tools and dispensatory measures

The coordinator will confirm to the instructor that the applicant is entitled to request exam accommodations and that these must be agreed upon with the instructor. The instructor will reply indicating whether the requested accommodations can be granted.

Requests must be sent at least 7 days before the exam date so that the instructor has sufficient time to evaluate them. In particular, if students intend to use concept maps during the exam (which must be much more concise than those used for studying), late submission will not allow enough time for any necessary adjustments.

For further information on how to request services and accommodations, consult the webpage: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/modulistica