OVERVIEW

The course will focus (at advanced level) on some of the main topics in theoretical philosophy, with particular reference to classic authors of modern thought and to the most relevant contemporary philosophers.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will further analyze some classic and contemporary theoretic themes in philosophy; they will learn to master the methods and tools needed to approach such problems; they will learn to discuss classic texts through a seminar method.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, students will be able: to master the specific terminology of the subject; to treat and discuss in depth its distinctive contents and problems; to establish appropriate links between different contents; to interpret and contextualize the examined texts from a historical-theoretical point of view; to use the main concepts and arguments in a critical and personal way.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, reading and analyzing texts, guided discussion, problem solving. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Contents for students who are taking the 6-CFU course 

Will, emotional life, and knowledge

The lectures will focus on studying the problem of will, its connection to emotional life, and cognitive dimensions. The course will study the problem of will in relation with several key concepts, such as compassion, desire, attention, and love, aiming to define a specific conception of human nature and its relationship with the surrounding world. Initially, the lectures will focus on key passages of Arthur Schopenhauer’s work "Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung". Subsequently, the question of will, and its emotional and cognitive implications, will be examined within the anthropological perspectives of Max Scheler and Hannah Arendt. 

Contents for students who are taking the 9-CFU course

Will, emotional life, and knowledge

The lectures will focus on studying the problem of will, its connection to emotional life, and cognitive dimensions. The course will study the problem of will in relation with several key concepts, such as compassion, desire, attention, and love, aiming to define a specific conception of human nature and its relationship with the surrounding world. Initially, the lectures will focus on key passages of Arthur Schopenhauer’s work "Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung". Subsequently, the question of will, and its emotional and cognitive implications, will be examined within the anthropological perspectives of Max Scheler and Hannah Arendt. Finally, the course will study additional aspects of human will as well as the forms of desire related to it. To do so, we will read selected passages from Simone Weil’s "Attente de Dieu”.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The reading list for this course is available on the Italian version of the web page.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

EDOARDO SIMONOTTI (President)

FRANCESCO CAMERA

ROBERTO CELADA BALLANTI (Substitute)

ELISABETTA COLAGROSSI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February, 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students: oral exam covering the content of the lessons and the texts listed in the bibliography.

Non-attending students: oral exam covering the texts listed in the bibliography.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The expected learning outcomes will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• the mastery of the contents and specific terminology of the subject, in relation to the indicated program (acquired knowledge)

• the ability to understand and explain the fundamental concepts and topics of the subject, establishing appropriate connections; especially in relation to the texts indicated in the reading list and discussed throughout the semester (used abilities)

• the ability to use (in a critical and personal way) the fundamental concepts and topics of the subject, demonstrating interpretative and methodological skills corresponding to the general objectives of the degree course; these skills will also be assessed with reference to students’ active participation in classroom discussions (learned skills).

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is recommended.