OVERVIEW

The course addresses the question of aesthetic evaluation of the universe. Guided reading of some articles or book chapters is aimed at creating awareness of the debates that characterize contemporary reflection on this issue, in which aesthetics, philosophy of science and metaphysics intersect.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at analysing aesthetic themes from a multidisciplinary perspective. Particular attention will be given to the contributions to the debate made by the psychology of perception, the constructivist perspective in the cognitive field, the ontology of the virtual, the semiotic approach to art and communication theory. Readings of one or more classic texts will be chosen on the basis of the problem object of research. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that, at the end of their attendance, students will be able to think knowledgeably about the aesthetic properties of the universe. In the part of the teaching reserved for students have included the exam in their study plan for 9 CFUs, we focus on reading and discussing some articles or book chapters in order to familiarize students with contemporary debates, and to educate them in critical discussion of the theses and arguments put forward by philosophers participating in such debates.

The expected outcomes are the following:

1) To provide an appropriate characterization of the notions of beauty, universe, physical law.

2) To relate scientific and metaphysical notions to aesthetic notions.

3) To critically read texts about the aesthetics of nature.

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 54 hours (40 for students having 6 credits), 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

Program for students having 6 or 8 credits:

- Beauty and other aesthetic properties

- The beauty of nature

- The aesthetic evaluation of the universe

- The mediation of science in the aesthetic evaluation of the universe

Additional program items for 9-credit students:

- The main debates on the beauty of nature and science in contemporary aesthetics

- Analysis of theses and arguments about the aesthetics of nature and science

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Students having 6 CFU:

SCRUTON ROGER, La bellezza, Vita e pensiero

COSMELLI CARLO, Fisica per filosofi, Carocci

Files uploaded on AulaWeb

Supplementary text for students who cannot attend the classes, one among:

MONOD JACQUES, Il caso e la necessità, Mondadori

SCHRÖDINGER ERWIN, L’immagine del mondo, Bollati Boringhieri (Capitoli 6, 7, 8 e 14)

Students having 9 CFU:

SCRUTON ROGER, La bellezza, Vita e pensiero

COSMELLI CARLO, Fisica per filosofi, Carocci

DE ANGELIS MILO, De rerum natura di Lucrezio, Mondadori

Files uploaded on AulaWeb

Supplementary text for students who cannot attend the classes, one among:

MONOD JACQUES, Il caso e la necessità, Mondadori

SCHRÖDINGER ERWIN, L’immagine del mondo, Bollati Boringhieri (Capitoli 6, 7, 8 e 14)

Bibliographic references concerning supplementary readings will be provided during the class. Some of the supplementary texts will be available on the page in Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ENRICO TERRONE (President)

FEDERICO ZUOLO

MARIA SILVIA VACCAREZZA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Monday 19 September 2022, 10h00 Room F (Via Balbi 4).

Class schedule

THEORY OF THE AESTHETIC OBJECT

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam concerns both the content presented and discussed in class and the content of the reference texts.

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 fiction, narrative and depiction, 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”.

Exam schedule