LEARNING OUTCOMES

Among western thought's dichotomies, the nature/culture dichotomy plays a key role: it is the root of beliefs such as science's universality, of discourse on (in)tolerance and of the mind/body dualism. The course analyzes the relation between ontology and knowledge (which was already questioned by philosophical and scientific thought in the 20th century) taking into account the new tendencies in anthropology; it analyzes the debate on multinaturalism/multirealism; it explores the connections between forms of life, knowledge systems, local ontologies and possibilities of democracy. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

1) knowing the terms and stakes of the debate in contemporary anthropology, and its ontological, ethic, epistemological and political implications.

2) being able to approach "other" worlds without conceit.

3) developing one's sensitivity towards the connection between forms of life, knowledge systems, local ontologies and forms of humanity.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

"All cultures are equals in dignity": this statement entails a series of serious – and sometimes bewildering – consequences on a philosophical, political, epistemological and existential level. The course will lead students to analyze these consequences through an "archaeological" exploration of our cultural foundations and an anthropological comparison with other forms of human culture. The aim is finding – within western ethics and knowledge – ways to peacefully approach other forms of ethics and knowledge, which originated from other premises, other histories, other forms of life, and analyzing what separates them without falling for a naive universalism nor being afraid to 'fall into the void'.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The reading list for this course, together with the lecturer's suggestions and instructions are available on the Italian version of the web page.