History of Philosophy
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a solid basic knowledge of some of the most important concepts in the history of Western philosophy with special focus on the classics. Its educational goals are to enable participants to understand the historical and theoretical meaning of the main philosophical traditions in connection with other doctrines and cultural traditions.
Expected learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student
- knows some of the fundamental aspects of the history of Western philosophy (with special reference to the classics)
- knows the fundamental lexicon of philosophy in its historical evolution
- understands the concepts and lines of argument used by the authors
- understands how sources are used and have evolved in time
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
At the end of the course, the student
- Can apply the knowledge acquired in reading a classic
- Can apply the knowledge acquired in framing authors and discussion and texts historically
- Can apply the historical lexicon to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems
- Can apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of texts and problems
- Can synthesize clearly the knowledge acquired
- Can confront texts at a basic level
At the end of the course, the student
- knows some of the fundamental aspects of the history of Western philosophy (with special reference to the classics)
- knows the fundamental lexicon of philosophy in its historical evolution
- understands the concepts and lines of argument used by the authors
- understands how sources are used and have evolved in time
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
At the end of the course, the student
- Can apply the knowledge acquired in reading a classic
- Can apply the knowledge acquired in framing authors and discussion and texts historically
- Can apply the historical lexicon to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems
- Can apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of texts and problems
- Can synthesize clearly the knowledge acquired
- Can confront texts at a basic level
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
[A-K]
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Reality
What is reality? How can we know it and distinguish the experience of a real world from that of a particularly plausible and coherent dream? What grounds our belief that there is an external world and the possibility that different subjects may have a shared experience of it?
These questions play a central role in modern and contemporary philosophy and constitute a distinctive feature of modern thought compared to ancient and medieval thought.
The course aims to retrace the investigation of the concept of reality conducted in the philosophical field since the seventeenth century. In particular, the doubts raised with respect to spontaneous realism, the attempts to provide proof of the existence of the outside world, and the refutations of this evidence for the benefit of a simple belief in the existence of the world will be analyzed.
The knowledge of the general lines of the history of modern philosophy will also be acquired through the study of a textbook. The students will also be required to independently apply the methods and the knowledge thus assimilated to the authors and to the problems presented in the reference text.
What is reality? How can we know it and distinguish the experience of a real world from that of a particularly plausible and coherent dream? What grounds our belief that there is an external world and the possibility that different subjects may have a shared experience of it?
These questions play a central role in modern and contemporary philosophy and constitute a distinctive feature of modern thought compared to ancient and medieval thought.
The course aims to retrace the investigation of the concept of reality conducted in the philosophical field since the seventeenth century. In particular, the doubts raised with respect to spontaneous realism, the attempts to provide proof of the existence of the outside world, and the refutations of this evidence for the benefit of a simple belief in the existence of the world will be analyzed.
The knowledge of the general lines of the history of modern philosophy will also be acquired through the study of a textbook. The students will also be required to independently apply the methods and the knowledge thus assimilated to the authors and to the problems presented in the reference text.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites are required, except those specified in the "Regolamento Didattico".
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures, including some moments of discussion.
Teaching Resources
Joint program for 6 and 9 CFU:
G. Cambiano, L. Fonnesu, M. Mori, (ed.), La filosofia moderna. Il Seicento e il Settecento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2018.
- R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, edited by S. Landucci, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1997: Meditazioni I, III e VI.
- J. Locke, Saggio sull'intelletto umano, book IV, chapter 9, "Della nostra triplice conoscenza dell'esistenza" e capitolo 11, "Della nostra conoscenza dell'esistenza delle altre cose". Italian Translations: Saggio sull'intelligenza umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998, tomo secondo; or: Saggio sull'intelletto umano, Torino, UTET, 1970; or: Saggio sull'intelletto umano, Milano, Bompiani, 2004.
- G. W. Leibniz, "Sul modo di distinguere i fenomeni reali da quelli immaginari", in Opere, a cura di M. Mugnai ed E. Pasini, Torino, UTET, 2000 (text provided by the teacher).
- G. Berkeley, Trattato sui principi della conoscenza umana, sezioni 1-33 e 54-57. Traduzioni italiane disponibili: Saggio su una nuova teoria della visione. Trattato sui principi della conoscenza umana, a cura di D. Bertini, Milano, Bompiani, 2004; oppure Berkeley, Opere filosofiche, a cura di S. Parigi, Torino UTET, 1996, 2013.
9 CFU program:
- D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, Libro I, parte IV, sezione II, "Lo scetticismo rispetto ai sensi". Available Italian translations: Trattato sulla natura umana, Milano, Bompiani, 2020 e Opere filosofiche, I, Trattato sulla natura umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1987 (and reprints).
- I. Kant, Critica della ragione pura, "I postulati del pensiero empirico in generale" and "Confutazione dell'idealismo". Available Italian translations:
Critica della ragion pura, Milano, Bompiani, 2004 or: Critica della ragion pura, Torino, UTET, 1970 (and reprints).
- M. Heidegger, Essere e tempo, § 43, Italian transl. by P. Chiodi, Milano, Longanesi, 2005.
- H. Putnam, Ragione, verità e storia, Il Saggiatore, Milano 1989, pages 7-27 (text provided by the teacher).
NB: The texts of the slides or handouts commented in class and made available by the teacher on the course website are an integral part of the course program. The texts commented will be available on the course website https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=251
For non-attending students: In addition to the above (both for the 6 cfu program and for the 9 cfu program): Scetticismo, edited by M. de Caro and E. Spinelli, Rome, Carocci, 2007.
- Lecture recording: yes, lectures will be recorded and made available for the entire academic year on the course's MyAriel website.
- Teaching proposal for non-attending students: 2 lessons dedicated to non-attending students by videoconference (Teams). The lectures will be recorded and made available in the online environment. The dates will be published in the course's MyAriel space.
- Validity of the programme: 1 academic year, as per the teaching regulations of the course.
G. Cambiano, L. Fonnesu, M. Mori, (ed.), La filosofia moderna. Il Seicento e il Settecento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2018.
- R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, edited by S. Landucci, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1997: Meditazioni I, III e VI.
- J. Locke, Saggio sull'intelletto umano, book IV, chapter 9, "Della nostra triplice conoscenza dell'esistenza" e capitolo 11, "Della nostra conoscenza dell'esistenza delle altre cose". Italian Translations: Saggio sull'intelligenza umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998, tomo secondo; or: Saggio sull'intelletto umano, Torino, UTET, 1970; or: Saggio sull'intelletto umano, Milano, Bompiani, 2004.
- G. W. Leibniz, "Sul modo di distinguere i fenomeni reali da quelli immaginari", in Opere, a cura di M. Mugnai ed E. Pasini, Torino, UTET, 2000 (text provided by the teacher).
- G. Berkeley, Trattato sui principi della conoscenza umana, sezioni 1-33 e 54-57. Traduzioni italiane disponibili: Saggio su una nuova teoria della visione. Trattato sui principi della conoscenza umana, a cura di D. Bertini, Milano, Bompiani, 2004; oppure Berkeley, Opere filosofiche, a cura di S. Parigi, Torino UTET, 1996, 2013.
9 CFU program:
- D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, Libro I, parte IV, sezione II, "Lo scetticismo rispetto ai sensi". Available Italian translations: Trattato sulla natura umana, Milano, Bompiani, 2020 e Opere filosofiche, I, Trattato sulla natura umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1987 (and reprints).
- I. Kant, Critica della ragione pura, "I postulati del pensiero empirico in generale" and "Confutazione dell'idealismo". Available Italian translations:
Critica della ragion pura, Milano, Bompiani, 2004 or: Critica della ragion pura, Torino, UTET, 1970 (and reprints).
- M. Heidegger, Essere e tempo, § 43, Italian transl. by P. Chiodi, Milano, Longanesi, 2005.
- H. Putnam, Ragione, verità e storia, Il Saggiatore, Milano 1989, pages 7-27 (text provided by the teacher).
NB: The texts of the slides or handouts commented in class and made available by the teacher on the course website are an integral part of the course program. The texts commented will be available on the course website https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=251
For non-attending students: In addition to the above (both for the 6 cfu program and for the 9 cfu program): Scetticismo, edited by M. de Caro and E. Spinelli, Rome, Carocci, 2007.
- Lecture recording: yes, lectures will be recorded and made available for the entire academic year on the course's MyAriel website.
- Teaching proposal for non-attending students: 2 lessons dedicated to non-attending students by videoconference (Teams). The lectures will be recorded and made available in the online environment. The dates will be published in the course's MyAriel space.
- Validity of the programme: 1 academic year, as per the teaching regulations of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam includes at least one preliminary and mandatory written test, aimed at verifying the general knowledge of the history of philosophy acquired during the course and the autonomous study. During the test, the use of texts, manuals or summaries is not allowed. The mark the student earns will be expressed on a scale up to 30 and will be averaged with the final grade. The results will be communicated as soon as possible and will be available on line, following the instructions given by the teacher at the beginning of the course. The oral exam consists of questions on the common parts of the course and, in the case of the 9 CFU exams, on the additional part. Students will be evaluated for their ability to organize their knowledge discursively and for their critical reasoning skills; the teacher will take into account the quality of the exposition, the correct use of the specialized lexicon, the linearity of the argumentation. The final grade will be expressed on a scale up to 30.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
[L-Z]
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
What is reality? How can we know it and distinguish the experience of a real world from that of a particularly plausible and coherent dream? What grounds our belief that there is an external world and the possibility that different subjects may have a shared experience of it?
These questions play a central role in modern and contemporary philosophy and constitute a distinctive feature of modern thought compared to ancient and medieval thought.
The course aims to retrace the investigation of the concept of reality conducted in the philosophical field since the seventeenth century. In particular, the doubts raised with respect to spontaneous realism, the attempts to provide proof of the existence of the outside world, and the refutations of this evidence for the benefit of a simple belief in the existence of the world will be analyzed.
The knowledge of the general lines of the history of modern philosophy will also be acquired through the study of a textbook. The students will also be required to independently apply the methods and the knowledge thus assimilated to the authors and to the problems presented in the reference text.
These questions play a central role in modern and contemporary philosophy and constitute a distinctive feature of modern thought compared to ancient and medieval thought.
The course aims to retrace the investigation of the concept of reality conducted in the philosophical field since the seventeenth century. In particular, the doubts raised with respect to spontaneous realism, the attempts to provide proof of the existence of the outside world, and the refutations of this evidence for the benefit of a simple belief in the existence of the world will be analyzed.
The knowledge of the general lines of the history of modern philosophy will also be acquired through the study of a textbook. The students will also be required to independently apply the methods and the knowledge thus assimilated to the authors and to the problems presented in the reference text.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific previous knowledge is required beyond what is generally required for enrolling in the study programme.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, with PowerPoint presentations, along with discussions with the class of the texts and the topics of the course along with some scheduled presentations held by the students
Teaching Resources
(A list of literature in English is available upon request to the instructor)
Joint program for 6 and 9 CFU:
G. Cambiano, L. Fonnesu, M. Mori, (ed.), La filosofia moderna. Il Seicento e il Settecento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2018.
- R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, edited by S. Landucci, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1997: Meditazioni I, III e VI.
- J. Locke, Saggio sull'intelletto umano, book IV, chapter 9, "Della nostra triplice conoscenza dell'esistenza" e capitolo 11, "Della nostra conoscenza dell'esistenza delle altre cose". Italian Translations: Saggio sull'intelligenza umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998, tomo secondo; or: Saggio sull'intelletto umano, Torino, UTET, 1970; or: Saggio sull'intelletto umano, Milano, Bompiani, 2004.
- N. Malebranche, Ricerca della verità, Sesto chiarimento, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2007 (text provided by the teacher).
- G. W. Leibniz, "Sul modo di distinguere i fenomeni reali da quelli immaginari", in Opere, a cura di M. Mugnai ed E. Pasini, UTET, Torino, 2000 (text provided by the teacher).
- G. Berkeley, Trattato sui principi della conoscenza umana, sezioni 1-33 e 54-57. Traduzioni italiane disponibili: Saggio su una nuova teoria della visione. Trattato sui principi della conoscenza umana, a cura di D. Bertini, Milano, Bompiani, 2004; oppure Berkeley, Opere filosofiche, a cura di S. Parigi, UTET, 1996, ristampa 2013.
9 CFU program:
- D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, Libro I, sezione II, "Lo scetticismo rispetto ai sensi". Available Italian translations: Trattato sulla natura umana, Milano, Bompiani, 2020 e Opere filosofiche, I, Trattato sulla natura umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1987 (and reprints).
- I. Kant, Critica della ragione pura, "I postulati del pensiero empirico in generale" and "Confutazione dell'idealismo". Available Italian translations:
Critica della ragion pura, Bompiani, Milano, 2004 or: Critica della ragion pura, Torino, UTET, 1970 (e ristampe successive).
- M. Heidegger, Essere e tempo, § 43, Italian transl. by P. Chiodi, Milano, Longanesi, 2005.
- H. Putnam, Ragione, verità e storia, Il Saggiatore, Milano 1989, pages 7-27 (text provided by the teacher).
NB: The texts of the slides or handouts commented in class and made available by the teacher on the course website are an integral part of the course program.
For non-attending students: In addition to the above (both for the 6 cfu program and for the 9 cfu program): Scetticismo, edited by M. de Caro and E. Spinelli, Rome, Carocci, 2007.
Joint program for 6 and 9 CFU:
G. Cambiano, L. Fonnesu, M. Mori, (ed.), La filosofia moderna. Il Seicento e il Settecento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2018.
- R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, edited by S. Landucci, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1997: Meditazioni I, III e VI.
- J. Locke, Saggio sull'intelletto umano, book IV, chapter 9, "Della nostra triplice conoscenza dell'esistenza" e capitolo 11, "Della nostra conoscenza dell'esistenza delle altre cose". Italian Translations: Saggio sull'intelligenza umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998, tomo secondo; or: Saggio sull'intelletto umano, Torino, UTET, 1970; or: Saggio sull'intelletto umano, Milano, Bompiani, 2004.
- N. Malebranche, Ricerca della verità, Sesto chiarimento, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2007 (text provided by the teacher).
- G. W. Leibniz, "Sul modo di distinguere i fenomeni reali da quelli immaginari", in Opere, a cura di M. Mugnai ed E. Pasini, UTET, Torino, 2000 (text provided by the teacher).
- G. Berkeley, Trattato sui principi della conoscenza umana, sezioni 1-33 e 54-57. Traduzioni italiane disponibili: Saggio su una nuova teoria della visione. Trattato sui principi della conoscenza umana, a cura di D. Bertini, Milano, Bompiani, 2004; oppure Berkeley, Opere filosofiche, a cura di S. Parigi, UTET, 1996, ristampa 2013.
9 CFU program:
- D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, Libro I, sezione II, "Lo scetticismo rispetto ai sensi". Available Italian translations: Trattato sulla natura umana, Milano, Bompiani, 2020 e Opere filosofiche, I, Trattato sulla natura umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1987 (and reprints).
- I. Kant, Critica della ragione pura, "I postulati del pensiero empirico in generale" and "Confutazione dell'idealismo". Available Italian translations:
Critica della ragion pura, Bompiani, Milano, 2004 or: Critica della ragion pura, Torino, UTET, 1970 (e ristampe successive).
- M. Heidegger, Essere e tempo, § 43, Italian transl. by P. Chiodi, Milano, Longanesi, 2005.
- H. Putnam, Ragione, verità e storia, Il Saggiatore, Milano 1989, pages 7-27 (text provided by the teacher).
NB: The texts of the slides or handouts commented in class and made available by the teacher on the course website are an integral part of the course program.
For non-attending students: In addition to the above (both for the 6 cfu program and for the 9 cfu program): Scetticismo, edited by M. de Caro and E. Spinelli, Rome, Carocci, 2007.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam includes at least one preliminary and mandatory written test, aimed at verifying the general knowledge of the history of philosophy acquired during the course and the autonomous study. During the test, the use of texts, manuals or summaries is not allowed. The mark the student earns will be expressed on a scale up to 30 and will be averaged with the final grade. The results will be communicated as soon as possible and will be available on line, following the instructions given by the teacher at the beginning of the course. The oral exam consists of questions on the common parts of the course and, in the case of the 9 CFU exams, on the additional part. Students will be evaluated for their ability to organize their knowledge discursively and for their critical reasoning skills; the teacher will take into account the quality of the exposition, the correct use of the specialized lexicon, the linearity of the argumentation. The final grade will be expressed on a scale up to 30.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday from 15 to 18 p.m. Contact the professor to schedule an appointment.
Dipartimento di Filosofia, Cortile Ghiacciaia, Ist floor.
Reception:
Wednesday from 5:00 PM
On line (Teams). Please send an email to book your appointment