Theoretical Philosophy
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course has the goal to discuss in depth problems in the general area of theoretical philosophy, focusing not just on the different forms of human experience, on the theories of mind, on the origin and structure of notions, stressing the connections with other disciplines, both scientific (psychology, biology, etc) and not (literature, visual arts) ‒ thereby helping students to develop their analytical skills and recognize the connections between philosophical research and the world of culture in general.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student:
- knows the theoretical fundamentals of contemporary philosophy and understands its vocabulary;
- understands the nature of philosophical problems;
- understands the nature and strength of philosophical arguments;
- knows the basic methodological elements of intellectual work in the field of theoretical philosophy,
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student:
- can put forward and outline the main conceptual contributions of theoretical philosophy
- is able to identify philosophical topics and problems in philosophical and non-philosophical contexts;
- can frame the key authors and related themes in a historical and contemporary perspective ù
- is able to support her /his claims with arguments;
- can approach general issues by adopting the appropriate methodological perspectives and discuss the
arguments of various authors making use of an adequate lexicon.
- can apply knowledge for the purpose of making comments to the texts pertaining to the discipline.
At the end of the study path, the student:
- knows the theoretical fundamentals of contemporary philosophy and understands its vocabulary;
- understands the nature of philosophical problems;
- understands the nature and strength of philosophical arguments;
- knows the basic methodological elements of intellectual work in the field of theoretical philosophy,
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student:
- can put forward and outline the main conceptual contributions of theoretical philosophy
- is able to identify philosophical topics and problems in philosophical and non-philosophical contexts;
- can frame the key authors and related themes in a historical and contemporary perspective ù
- is able to support her /his claims with arguments;
- can approach general issues by adopting the appropriate methodological perspectives and discuss the
arguments of various authors making use of an adequate lexicon.
- can apply knowledge for the purpose of making comments to the texts pertaining to the discipline.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
[A]
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The aim of the course in Theoretical Philosophy is to initiate an in-depth reflection on the role of philosophy as a form of theoretical reflection, as an existential practice and as an expression of shared truths. This general objective is expressed in a particular way now in the form of an investigation into the various forms of philosophical exercises that have been conducted throughout ancient and modern times, in particular in Michel Foucault's reinterpretation of them, and now in a discussion of Wittgenstein's Philosophical Researches, aimed in particular at shedding light on the relationship between reality and language games.
Lectures will be shared via streaming, if necessary. Recordings will be available on the course team (Theoretical Philosophy (Spinicci) LT 2024-25) at this address: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3at83SX97FMF65PblX5_BYs06_cansNNHsQBgKmFBYH5Y1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=e3603b3c-3b7b-4140-82f0-2473d470d2f6&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
The team code is: v1egfev
All necessary information pertaining to the course will be given on the course team.
Lectures will be shared via streaming, if necessary. Recordings will be available on the course team (Theoretical Philosophy (Spinicci) LT 2024-25) at this address: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3at83SX97FMF65PblX5_BYs06_cansNNHsQBgKmFBYH5Y1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=e3603b3c-3b7b-4140-82f0-2473d470d2f6&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
The team code is: v1egfev
All necessary information pertaining to the course will be given on the course team.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
The common part of the 6 and 9 cfu programme will focus on the following books:
L. Wittgenstein, Ricerche filosofiche, Einaudi, Torino, 2021
S. Kripke, Nome e necessità, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 1999, First lesson.
The Additional Part for the 9 cfu programme will consist in
-
The lectures are, however, an integral part of the programme.
L. Wittgenstein, Ricerche filosofiche, Einaudi, Torino, 2021
S. Kripke, Nome e necessità, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 1999, First lesson.
The Additional Part for the 9 cfu programme will consist in
-
The lectures are, however, an integral part of the programme.
Assessment methods and Criteria
oth for attending and non-attending students, the final examination consists of an oral exam of about 30 minutes, divided into two equal parts. The first part has to test the knowledge and the understanding of the program., where the second part has to text the ability to analyze and discuss short quotes from the readings of the examination program.
Attending students can submit a short paper (about 5000 words) on topics related to the class. The clarity in the exposition and the solidity in argumentative construction will be taken in account for evaluating the paper. Essays will not receive an autonomous mark. They will be discussed during the oral examination and they will contribute to the definition of the final grade.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- ability to apply concepts (development);
- linguistic skills
Attending students can submit a short paper (about 5000 words) on topics related to the class. The clarity in the exposition and the solidity in argumentative construction will be taken in account for evaluating the paper. Essays will not receive an autonomous mark. They will be discussed during the oral examination and they will contribute to the definition of the final grade.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- ability to apply concepts (development);
- linguistic skills
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
[B]
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The objective of the course in theoretical philosophy is to initiate an in-depth reflection on the role of philosophy as a form of theoretical analysis, as an existential practice, and as an expression of shared truths. This overarching objective will be articulated both in the form of an investigation of the various forms of philosophical exercises that have been conducted throughout ancient and modern times, particularly in Michel Foucault's reinterpretation of them, both in a discussion of Wittgenstein's Philosophical Researches, aimed particularly at shedding light on the relationship between reality and language games.
The present edition will deal with the theme of philosophical exercises. We will ask whether it is not possible to reread the whole practice of philosophy as an exercise (an askesis, the Greeks said) aimed at perfecting reasoning, not for mere intellectual ends, but to govern the fluctuation of passions and the stumbles of life. Pivotal to the reading that will be proposed will be the work of the late Foucault, particularly the lessons published under the title "The Hermeneutics of the Subject". Thus, some intellectual places will be presented where an interpretative view to this continuous work of perfecting philosophical action is offered: Plato's Socrates, the Stoicism of Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, the Cartesian Meditations and Spinoza's Ethics.
Recordings: No
Teaching proposal for non-attending students: one lesson dedicated to non-attending students in videoconference (Teams). These lecture will be recorded and made available on the Ariel website
The present edition will deal with the theme of philosophical exercises. We will ask whether it is not possible to reread the whole practice of philosophy as an exercise (an askesis, the Greeks said) aimed at perfecting reasoning, not for mere intellectual ends, but to govern the fluctuation of passions and the stumbles of life. Pivotal to the reading that will be proposed will be the work of the late Foucault, particularly the lessons published under the title "The Hermeneutics of the Subject". Thus, some intellectual places will be presented where an interpretative view to this continuous work of perfecting philosophical action is offered: Plato's Socrates, the Stoicism of Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, the Cartesian Meditations and Spinoza's Ethics.
Recordings: No
Teaching proposal for non-attending students: one lesson dedicated to non-attending students in videoconference (Teams). These lecture will be recorded and made available on the Ariel website
Prerequisites for admission
None, unless required by the Philosophy Course general rules
Teaching methods
Lectures.
Discussions, debate and replies to questions.
Papers and presentations by the students
Discussions, debate and replies to questions.
Papers and presentations by the students
Teaching Resources
Program for attending students (9 credits):
Luca Mori, Gli esercizi di Socrate, Ets, Pisa
Seneca, La tranquillità dell'animo, BUR, Milano
M. Foucault, L'ermeneutica del soggetto, Feltrinelli, Milano (see on Ariel for the parts commented on).
See on Ariel, too, the parts of the texts by Platone, Epitteto, Marco Aurelio, Descartes, Spinoza, commented on by the teacher.
R. Fabbrichesi, Vita e potenza. Marco Aurelio, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Cortina, Milano.
R. Fabbrichesi (a cura di), Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, Introduzione e cap. IV
Program for attending students (6 credits):
Luca Mori, Gli esercizi di Socrate, Ets, Pisa
Seneca, La tranquillità dell'animo, BUR Milano
M. Foucault, L'ermeneutica del soggetto, Feltrinelli, Milano ((see on Ariel for the parts commented on. This program goes till p. 288 of the book).
R. Fabbrichesi, Vita e potenza. Marco Aurelio, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Cortina, Milano.
R. Fabbrichesi (a cura di), Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, introduzione, cap. IV.
Non attending students, in both cases, will study in addition Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, a cura di R. Fabbrichesi, Einaudi, Torino.
Luca Mori, Gli esercizi di Socrate, Ets, Pisa
Seneca, La tranquillità dell'animo, BUR, Milano
M. Foucault, L'ermeneutica del soggetto, Feltrinelli, Milano (see on Ariel for the parts commented on).
See on Ariel, too, the parts of the texts by Platone, Epitteto, Marco Aurelio, Descartes, Spinoza, commented on by the teacher.
R. Fabbrichesi, Vita e potenza. Marco Aurelio, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Cortina, Milano.
R. Fabbrichesi (a cura di), Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, Introduzione e cap. IV
Program for attending students (6 credits):
Luca Mori, Gli esercizi di Socrate, Ets, Pisa
Seneca, La tranquillità dell'animo, BUR Milano
M. Foucault, L'ermeneutica del soggetto, Feltrinelli, Milano ((see on Ariel for the parts commented on. This program goes till p. 288 of the book).
R. Fabbrichesi, Vita e potenza. Marco Aurelio, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Cortina, Milano.
R. Fabbrichesi (a cura di), Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, introduzione, cap. IV.
Non attending students, in both cases, will study in addition Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, a cura di R. Fabbrichesi, Einaudi, Torino.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Both for attending and non-attending students, the final examination consists of an oral exam of about 30 minutes, divided into two equal parts. The first part has to test the knowledge and the understanding of the program., whereas the second part has to test the ability to analyze and discuss short quotes from the readings of the examination program.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discussed during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- ability to apply concepts (development);
- linguistic skills
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discussed during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- ability to apply concepts (development);
- linguistic skills
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)