History of contemporary metaphysics
A.A. 2024/2025
Obiettivi formativi
The course aims to allow the students to acquire the theoretical, methodological and critical tools characterizing the metaphysical studies, together with a sound general knowledge of the historical evolution in contemporary era. To comply with the typically interdisciplinary character of philosophical research, the course considers the ever-closer relationships that metaphysics and ontology developed with other philosophical and scientific disciplines, with innovative applications that are also practical.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- understands the lexicon and knows the methods, the purpose and the research topics of metaphysics
- understands the historical and theoretical meaning of the texts (also in their original language) and the transformations of traditions, concepts and argumentative forms within the discipline
- masters a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the history of contemporary metaphysics, acquired through the reading of the texts and the study of secondary literature
- has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools characterising the research in contemporary metaphysics
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student
- can soundly and adequately make use of the philosophical lexicon
- is able to follow and evaluate the contemporary debate in metaphysics and to apply the acquired knowledge on the historical development of the argumentative forms and traditions of thought to the analysis of new texts and philosophical proposals in the field
- is able to acknowledge the transformation of classical paradigms, traditions and perspectives
- is able to connect the contemporary debate in metaphysics with other philosophical and scientific disciplines
- is confident and autonomous in the application of the different paradigms in metaphysics to different topics and new problems
- can master and apply the methodological resources and bibliographic tools of historical-philosophical research and can produce original research, discussing the results obtained and presenting them to others, both specialists and non-specialists.
At the end of the course, the student
- understands the lexicon and knows the methods, the purpose and the research topics of metaphysics
- understands the historical and theoretical meaning of the texts (also in their original language) and the transformations of traditions, concepts and argumentative forms within the discipline
- masters a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the history of contemporary metaphysics, acquired through the reading of the texts and the study of secondary literature
- has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools characterising the research in contemporary metaphysics
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student
- can soundly and adequately make use of the philosophical lexicon
- is able to follow and evaluate the contemporary debate in metaphysics and to apply the acquired knowledge on the historical development of the argumentative forms and traditions of thought to the analysis of new texts and philosophical proposals in the field
- is able to acknowledge the transformation of classical paradigms, traditions and perspectives
- is able to connect the contemporary debate in metaphysics with other philosophical and scientific disciplines
- is confident and autonomous in the application of the different paradigms in metaphysics to different topics and new problems
- can master and apply the methodological resources and bibliographic tools of historical-philosophical research and can produce original research, discussing the results obtained and presenting them to others, both specialists and non-specialists.
Periodo: Secondo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento non può essere seguito come corso singolo. Puoi trovare gli insegnamenti disponibili consultando il catalogo corsi singoli.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Secondo semestre
Programma
COMMON TO THE 6 AND 9 CFU EXAM:
"ONTOLOGICAL COMMITMENT AND METAPHYSICAL GROUNDING IN THE DEBATE IN META-METAPHYSICS"
The first part will introduce students to key problems and authors of contemporary metaphysics and ontology. The course intends to present the contemporary debate from a meta-theoretical and foundational perspective with particular attention to the most recent developments and to the possible applications of the methods and results of philosophical ontology also to non-philosophical disciplines and theories. Contemporary metaphysics and ontology have specialized exponentially and require advanced specific skills. On the other hand, ontology has developed ever-closer relationships with other philosophical and scientific disciplines, with innovative applications that are also practical.
In the institutional section, the tools, lexicon and fundamental notions of contemporary metaphysics and ontology are introduced and some applications of philosophical ontology are presented. In the historical section, the affirmation of the so-called "standard paradigm" in ontology is reconstructed in the face of the neo-positivist veto against metaphysics. Finally, some alternative proposals are analyzed, including grounding theories and neo-Aristotelianism.
ADDITIONAL PART FOR THE 9 CFU: CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS AND ONTOLOGICAL RELATIVITY
The additional part will focus on a recent and promising approach in contemporary ontology which offers an improved accounting of the general categories that we use in framing our understanding of "reality", including the often hidden metaphysical and background presuppositions of taxonomies and categorizations in our sciences and practices.
We will examine the potential of ontological relativity, through conceptual analysis and conceptual engineering, as a framework for shedding light on various forms of addressing the notion of "reality", drawing attention to the ways in which our understanding of reality is shaped by power dynamics and cultural contexts. For example, certain groups may be excluded from the cultural approach we judge appropriate for certain contexts and thus their perspectives may not be fully represented in our understanding of reality and existence, because they lack the proper set of concepts and the proper toolbox of categories. Conceptual analysis can raise awareness and promote interventions. Similarly, the dominant cultural framework may shape the way in which we understand certain notions or phenomena, leading to a distorted or incomplete understanding of reality in specific contexts, depriving ourselves of additional perspectives.
"ONTOLOGICAL COMMITMENT AND METAPHYSICAL GROUNDING IN THE DEBATE IN META-METAPHYSICS"
The first part will introduce students to key problems and authors of contemporary metaphysics and ontology. The course intends to present the contemporary debate from a meta-theoretical and foundational perspective with particular attention to the most recent developments and to the possible applications of the methods and results of philosophical ontology also to non-philosophical disciplines and theories. Contemporary metaphysics and ontology have specialized exponentially and require advanced specific skills. On the other hand, ontology has developed ever-closer relationships with other philosophical and scientific disciplines, with innovative applications that are also practical.
In the institutional section, the tools, lexicon and fundamental notions of contemporary metaphysics and ontology are introduced and some applications of philosophical ontology are presented. In the historical section, the affirmation of the so-called "standard paradigm" in ontology is reconstructed in the face of the neo-positivist veto against metaphysics. Finally, some alternative proposals are analyzed, including grounding theories and neo-Aristotelianism.
ADDITIONAL PART FOR THE 9 CFU: CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS AND ONTOLOGICAL RELATIVITY
The additional part will focus on a recent and promising approach in contemporary ontology which offers an improved accounting of the general categories that we use in framing our understanding of "reality", including the often hidden metaphysical and background presuppositions of taxonomies and categorizations in our sciences and practices.
We will examine the potential of ontological relativity, through conceptual analysis and conceptual engineering, as a framework for shedding light on various forms of addressing the notion of "reality", drawing attention to the ways in which our understanding of reality is shaped by power dynamics and cultural contexts. For example, certain groups may be excluded from the cultural approach we judge appropriate for certain contexts and thus their perspectives may not be fully represented in our understanding of reality and existence, because they lack the proper set of concepts and the proper toolbox of categories. Conceptual analysis can raise awareness and promote interventions. Similarly, the dominant cultural framework may shape the way in which we understand certain notions or phenomena, leading to a distorted or incomplete understanding of reality in specific contexts, depriving ourselves of additional perspectives.
Prerequisiti
The course expects students to be familiar with key philosophical terms and have a basic understanding of major contemporary philosophers and their main ideas, especially focusing on neo-empiricism and analytic philosophy.
Metodi didattici
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 who do not attend classes or participate in course presentations are required to prepare an additional text, as specified in the bibliography section.
The exam consists of an oral interview on the topics of the course, during which the candidate is expected to demonstrate mastery not only of the contents but also, and above all, of the argumentative styles typical of the contemporary metaphysical debate, evaluating the costs and benefits of the individual theoretical proposals. 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.
For students attending the lectures: at the beginning of the course and at the end of each teaching unit, a multiple-choice self-assessment test will be distributed, the results of which will be discussed during the lectures.
International students or Erasmus visiting students are invited to make timely contact with the course professor.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
The final grade will be expressed on a scale up to 30.
The exam consists of an oral interview on the topics of the course, during which the candidate is expected to demonstrate mastery not only of the contents but also, and above all, of the argumentative styles typical of the contemporary metaphysical debate, evaluating the costs and benefits of the individual theoretical proposals. 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.
For students attending the lectures: at the beginning of the course and at the end of each teaching unit, a multiple-choice self-assessment test will be distributed, the results of which will be discussed during the lectures.
International students or Erasmus visiting students are invited to make timely contact with the course professor.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
The final grade will be expressed on a scale up to 30.
Materiale di riferimento
COMMON BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE 6 AND 9 CFU EXAM:
Textbook:
Valore, P. 2016. "The Task and Scope of Ontology" + "Ontological Categories" + "The Nature of Existence", in Fundamentals of Ontological Commitment, Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter
Readings:
· R. Carnap, "Empiricism, Semantics and Ontology", in R. Carnap, Meaning and Necessity: A Study in Semantics and Modal Logic, Chicago University Press, 19562, pp. 205-221
· W.V. Quine, "On What There Is" and "Two Dogmas of Empiricism", in W.V. Quine, From a Logical Point of View Nine Logico-Philosophical Essays, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Mass) 1953; 2d, revised ed., 1961 e 1980
· K. Fine, "The Question of Ontology", in Meta-metaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, edited by D. Chalmers, D. Manley, and R. Wasserman, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009, pp. 157-177.
· J. Schaffer, "On What Grounds What", in Meta-metaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, pp. 347-383.
· K. Fine, "A Guide to Ground", in F. Correia & B. Schnieder (eds.), Metaphysical Grounding. Cambridge University Press. exclusively pp. 37-54.
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE 9 CFU EXAM:
· Haslanger, S. 2012, "Ontology and Social Construction" + "What Good Are Our Intuitions? Philosophical Analysis and Social Kinds", in Resisting Reality. Social Construction and Social Critique, Oxford: Oxford University Press 2012
· P. Valore, ""Ontological relativity and conceptual analysis as theoretical frameworks for epistemic injustice: Exploring applications", in Metaphilosophy, (2024), DOI: 10.1111/meta.12669.
Textbook:
Valore, P. 2016. "The Task and Scope of Ontology" + "Ontological Categories" + "The Nature of Existence", in Fundamentals of Ontological Commitment, Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter
Readings:
· R. Carnap, "Empiricism, Semantics and Ontology", in R. Carnap, Meaning and Necessity: A Study in Semantics and Modal Logic, Chicago University Press, 19562, pp. 205-221
· W.V. Quine, "On What There Is" and "Two Dogmas of Empiricism", in W.V. Quine, From a Logical Point of View Nine Logico-Philosophical Essays, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Mass) 1953; 2d, revised ed., 1961 e 1980
· K. Fine, "The Question of Ontology", in Meta-metaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, edited by D. Chalmers, D. Manley, and R. Wasserman, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009, pp. 157-177.
· J. Schaffer, "On What Grounds What", in Meta-metaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, pp. 347-383.
· K. Fine, "A Guide to Ground", in F. Correia & B. Schnieder (eds.), Metaphysical Grounding. Cambridge University Press. exclusively pp. 37-54.
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE 9 CFU EXAM:
· Haslanger, S. 2012, "Ontology and Social Construction" + "What Good Are Our Intuitions? Philosophical Analysis and Social Kinds", in Resisting Reality. Social Construction and Social Critique, Oxford: Oxford University Press 2012
· P. Valore, ""Ontological relativity and conceptual analysis as theoretical frameworks for epistemic injustice: Exploring applications", in Metaphilosophy, (2024), DOI: 10.1111/meta.12669.
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The History of Contemporary Metaphysics course provides an overview of the fundamental issues and prominent figures in contemporary metaphysics and ontology. This is achieved through lectures, PowerPoint presentations, in-class discussions, and scheduled student presentations. The presentations given by the students will be considered integral components of the course and will be evaluated in the overall assessment.
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
Mercoledì a partire dalle ore 17:00
A distanza su Teams. Si richiede di scrivere una mail al docente per concordare un appuntamento