OVERVIEW

The module analyzes central topics in philosophy of biology with a special focus on epistemological, ontological and ethical aspects related to contemporary developments in evolutionary biology, ethology, psychology, and neuroscience.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module offers an overview of historical and contemporary debates in philosophy of biology with a special focus on genetics, evolutionary biology, sociobiology, and psychology. Students will need to read and analyze materials at the crossroad of philosophical and scientific research

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to: Help students develop the analytic skills and conceptual tools required for making rigorous arguments; Analyze theoretical notions such as evolution, heredity, adaptation, epigenetics, nature and nurture, determinism and reductionism by referring to epistemological, ontological and ethical aspects.

Through participation in the teaching activities, students will be able to:

• Explain and summarize interdisciplinary material through the proper conceptual and linguistic means;
• Apply philosophical tools to contemporary scientific issues, with a special focus on those arising from the biological sciences;
• Critically evaluate the relationship between philosophy and science by making conceptual connections, arguments, and counterarguments in autonomy;
• Effectively communicate and adapt their language to the context;
• Use various sources and information.

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

The course will alternate between lectures given by the instructor and in-class presentations by students. During the course, external researchers may be invited to deliver seminars on specific topics. In addition to lectures, three thematic modules will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of alternative perspectives on issues at the heart of contemporary debates in the philosophy of biology, with the aim of stimulating and developing students’ critical and argumentative skills.

Course materials will be uploaded on Aulaweb. Classes will be held in person.

For students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD):

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

Subsequently, with significant advance notice (at least 10 days) before the exam date, an email must be sent to the instructor, with a copy to the School Inclusion Coordinator for students with disabilities and SLD (elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it) as well as the above-mentioned Department. The email should specify:

• The name of the course
• The date of the exam
• Last name, first name, and student ID number
• The compensatory tools and dispensatory measures deemed functional and requested

The coordinator will confirm to the instructor that the student is entitled to request accommodations for the exam and that such accommodations must be agreed upon with the instructor. The instructor will respond by communicating whether it is possible to use the requested accommodations.

Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the exam date to allow the instructor to evaluate the content. In particular, if one intends to use concept maps for the exam (which must be much more concise than those used for studying), if the submission does not meet the deadlines, there will not be sufficient time to make any necessary modifications.

For more information on requesting services and accommodations, refer to the document: https://unige.it/sites/unige.it/files/2024-05/Linee%20guida%20per%20la%20richiesta%20di%20servizi%2C%20di%20strumenti%20compensativi%20e_o%20di%20misure%20dispensative%20e%20di%20ausili%20specifici%20Maggio%202024.pdf

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Contents

The course addresses key topics in contemporary discussions in the philosophy of biology, focusing on the main philosophical (epistemological, ontological, ethical, and social) issues raised by evolutionary theory and recent developments in evolutionary biology, ethology, psychology, and neuroscience.

The course consists of a monographic part on the main themes in contemporary philosophy of evolutionary biology, and three thematic modules on topics at the center of recent scientific and philosophical discussion: (a) animal cognition; (b) sex; (c) biodiversity. Each module includes an introductory lecture on the topic and two sessions dedicated to student's presentation and discussion of contrasting perspectives on a debated issue in the academic literature.

Course syllabus:

1. Introduction to the Philosophy of Evolutionary Biology

• Darwin and the theory of evolution by natural selection

• Phylogeny, common ancestry, and the origin of life

• Classification and the metaphysics of species

• Fitness, niche construction, functions, and teleonomy

• Levels and units of natural selection

• Sociobiology and evolutionary psychology, modularity and innateness

• Evolutionary game theory and the evolution of cooperation

• The nature of morality: reciprocity, altruism, emotions, empathy, normative cognition

• The evolution of culture and the cultural evolution of psychology

• Philosophical and social implications of evolutionism

Part Two. Topics in Contemporary Philosophy of Biology

(a) Philosophy of Animal Cognition

• Other minds. Animal cognition and consciousness (with Luca Marchetti)

• Discussion: Are human beings the only rational/moral agents?

(b) Sex and Sexuality

• What is sex?

• Discussion: Are there only two sexes? Are there natural psychological-behavioral differences between the sexes?

(c) Biodiversity

• What is biodiversity?

• Discussion: The conservation of biodiversity

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Students attending lectures

Notes and slides of the lectures.

2) One of the following:

- Borghini A. & Casetta E., Filosofia della biologia, Carocci 2013

- Godfrey-Smith P., Philosophy of Biology, Princeton University Press, 2014

3) One of the following: 

- Churchland P., Neurobiologia della morale, Raffaello Cortina 2012, capp. 1-6

- Godfrey-Smith P., Altre menti, Adelphi 2018 (in alternativa: Andrews K., The Animal Mind, Routledge 2020)

- Fine C., Testosterone Rex. Miti di sesso, scienza e società, La nave di Teseo, 2019

- Casetta E., Filosofia dell’ambiente, Il Mulino 2023

Attending students may also give in-class presentations on a topic previously agreed upon with the instructor.
 

Students who are not able to attend the lectures

Non frequentanti

1) Required readings:

- Darwin C., L’origine dell’uomo e la selezione sessuale [1871], Newton Compton 2010, capp. 3, 4, 8

- Borghini A. & Casetta E., Filosofia della biologia, Carocci 2013 (in alternativa: Godfrey-Smith P., Philosophy of Biology, Princeton University Press, 2014)

- Tramacere A., Introduzione alle psicologie evoluzionistiche, CLUEB 2022, cap. 3 “La stagione degli adattamenti”

- Baravalle L., Evoluzione e cultura, Carocci 2018, cap. 4 “Teorie dell’evoluzione culturale”

- Guardo A., L’evoluzione della morale per selezione naturale, Raffaello Cortina 2024, capp. 1-7

2) Two among the following:

- Godfrey-Smith P., Altre menti, Adelphi 2018 (alternatively: Andrews K., The Animal Mind, Routledge 2020)

- Tomasello M., Storia naturale della morale umana, Raffaello Cortina 2016

- Fine C., Testosterone Rex. Miti di sesso, scienza e società, La nave di Teseo, 2019

- Casetta E., Filosofia dell’ambiente, Il Mulino 2023
 

Any changes to the texts to be studied for the exam should be arranged with the instructor.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Monday, September 30

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students may choose to (a) write a paper of 25,000 to 30,000 characters (including spaces, excluding bibliography) and then take an oral exam discussing their paper and the course topics (recommended option); alternatively, they may opt to (b) take only the oral exam.

(a) In the first case (paper) students may focus more extensively on one of the sections of the course, although knowledge of the other topics covered in class will also be assessed (both in the paper and at the oral exam). The topic of the paper must be agreed upon with the instructor; the text must be submitted by email in Word format at least one week before the date of the oral exam.

In the second case, students are required to study 2 texts, as indicated in the "Texts/Bibliography" section, in addition to their notes and the lecture slides.

It is also possible to present a supplementary reading in class on a specific topic previously agreed upon with the instructor. Participation in class discussions and any presentation will contribute to the final grade.

Non-attending students are required to study the texts indicated in the "Texts/Bibliography" section.

Any changes to the reading list for the exam may be arranged with the instructor.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. Knowledge of the subject
2. Clarity of written and/or oral explanation
3. Use of appropriate language
4. Critical reworking of the material

- Compliance with requirement 1, from 18 to 21

- Compliance with requirements 1-2, from 22 to 25

- Compliance with requirements 1-3, from 26 to 28

- Compliance with requirements 1-4, from 29 to 30 e lode

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students unable to attend lectures are requested to contact the instructor before the examination. Lectures will be delivered in Italian, but it is possible to take the oral examination and receive materials in English.