The aim of the course is to outline the philosophy of modern history in its genesis and development, intersecting the themes of theodicy and secularization.
Making students aware of the basic structures of the modern philosophies of history (linear conception and cyclical conception of time, idea of "fullness", Christian eschatology and idea of progress) through the study of specific monographs and especially through the reading of particularly significant classical texts.
The aim of the course is:
a) to introduce the basic cathegories of every modern philosophy of history by the introduction of some historical monographies
b) to verify by a critical reading the presence of these cathegories in some modern philosophical or religious Ccassical works
c) to make the students able to an autonomus reflection on the monographies and the classics in program.
No prerequisites are required.
The lessons will be held in person.
Radici bibliche e processi di secolarizzazione della filosofia della storia
Il corso intende documentare la nascita della moderna filosofia della storia muovendo dallo sfondo ebraico-cristiano che ne segna le radici, e mostrandone la genesi a partire dalla loro secolarizzazione. Si utilizzeranno, nella prima parte due opere classiche: quelle di Karl Löwith e di Jacob Taubes, rilevandone affinità e differenze. Nella seconda parte del corso si affronterà il tema dell’idea di progresso a partire dal pensatore moderno che per primo l’ha teorizzata sul piano universale, G.W. Leibniz.
Bibliography for students who are taking the 6-CFU course:
1) K. Löwith, Significato e fine della storia, Edizioni di Comunità, Milano 1979.
2) J. Taubes, Escatologia occidentale, Quodlibet, Macerata 2019.
Bibliography for students who are taking the 9-CFU course:
3) G.W. Leibniz, Monadologia, Bompiani, Milano 2001.
4) R. Celada Ballanti, Erudizione e teodicea. Saggio sulla concezione della storia in G.W. Leibniz, Liguori, Napoli 2004
Ricevimento: Student reception is held by appointment.
ROBERTO CELADA BALLANTI (President)
NICOLO' GERMANO
FRANCESCO CAMERA (Substitute)
GERARDO CUNICO (Substitute)
February 2026.
Oral exam.
During the oral intewiew the student must demostrate
1) a complete knowledge of all the texst in the recommended reading/biliography
2) an adequate understanding of the same texts
3) the capability to compare one-another the content of theese texts
4) the capability to elaborate some personal convinction about the the content of the course
The attendance is recommented.
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Elisabetta Colagrossi (elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it), the Department's disability liaison.
