OVERVIEW

Philosophy of religion developed within Modern-Age thought between the 17th and the 18th centuries, as a reaction to the religious wars in Europe. It acquired the status of academic teaching in the Age of Enlightenment and German Idealism. Nevertheless, its object (a reflection on religion that moves from speculative assumptions) was already studied by Greek philosophy, which developed a rational criticism (based on logos) and applied it to mythical discourse since the Age of Pre-Socratic philosophers.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Starting from a phenomenological and trascendental method, clarifing the nature and the peculiar structure of the religious experience, as an independent form distinct from other domains of the spirit (ethical, aesthetic, metaphysical). Highlighting how this categorization of religion constitutes the effect of a long analytic and speculative process, whose seeds can be found at the beginning of the modern age, and whose landing place is the birth of the philosophy of religin as a peculiar form of knowledge.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Developing critical thinking towards the religious experience, moving from speculative assumptions, and showing its universal, ecumenic nature.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites are required.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons will be held in presence. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. 

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.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Religion, Religiosity, Modernity

The course aims, in its first part, to analyze the metamorphoses of religion in its encounter with modernity and with processes of secularization. In the second part, extending the analysis of the transformations of religious experience, it will be examined in relation to twentieth-century poetry and literature, through selected moments and figures.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for students who are taking the 6-CFU course:

1) R. Celada Ballanti, Universalità della rivelazione e principio della libertà. Studi di filosofia della religione, Edizioni dell’Orso, Alessandria 2026.

2) B. Welte, La luce del nulla. Sulla possibilità di una nuova esperienza religiosa, Queriniana, Brescia 1983.

Bibliography for students who are taking the 9-CFU course:

1) R. Celada Ballanti, Universalità della rivelazione e principio della libertà. Studi di filosofia della religione, Edizioni dell’Orso, Alessandria 2026.

2) R. Celada Ballanti, Poetiche all’ombra del nichilismo. Montale, Mann, Borges, Morcelliana, Brescia 2023.

3) B. Welte, La luce del nulla. Sulla possibilità di una nuova esperienza religiosa, Queriniana, Brescia 1983.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 22, 2026.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will take place in oral form, through a dialogue aimed at verify the contents discussed during the course. The expositive ability and the critical reasoning of the student will also be ascertained.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is reccomended.