History of Early Modern Philosophy
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a solid basic knowledge of the history of early modern philosophical and scientific thought. The course will encourage the students' disposition to investigate new topics, thus increasing their knowledge and competence. Students will also develop a comprehension of the many interdisciplinary perspectives that characterise early modern thought.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will:
- know the fundamental aspects of the history of early modern Western philosophy, with special regard to the topics discussed in the course;
- understand the relationships connecting the history of philosophy to the history of science, politics, society, culture, theology, and religion;
- understand the concepts and lines of argument used by the authors analysed;
- know the basic methodological tools of the historical-philosophical investigation.
Moreover, students will be able to:
- apply the knowledge acquired in framing early modern authors and texts historically;
- apply the understanding of the historical relationships between philosophy and other doctrines to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems;
- apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of complex texts and problems.
- know the fundamental aspects of the history of early modern Western philosophy, with special regard to the topics discussed in the course;
- understand the relationships connecting the history of philosophy to the history of science, politics, society, culture, theology, and religion;
- understand the concepts and lines of argument used by the authors analysed;
- know the basic methodological tools of the historical-philosophical investigation.
Moreover, students will be able to:
- apply the knowledge acquired in framing early modern authors and texts historically;
- apply the understanding of the historical relationships between philosophy and other doctrines to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems;
- apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of complex texts and problems.
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 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 (A-L)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course will deal with the concept of metamorphosis by examining Goethe and Schopenhauer. The teaching unit A will examine the sources of the two authors. Teaching unit B will focus on selected texts by Goethe. Teaching unit C will be dedicated to texts chosen from Schopenhauer's works.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of a manual of History of modern philosophy is required. We recommend adopting the manual by G. Cambiano, M. Mori, History and anthology of philosophy, Rome Bari, Laterza vol. 2: Modern age.
Teaching methods
The chair of History of Modern Philosophy aims at the interpretation of themes and works included in a time span from the fifteenth century to Hegel. The methodology adopted includes: an examination of the structure and structure of the work, the analysis of the argumentation, the history of the sources, the genesis, and the concepts.
Teaching Resources
The same as in italian
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral: The exam, for both attending and non-attending students, consists of an oral test, an interview aimed at ascertaining the students' knowledge of the topics scheduled and provides for a question for each teaching unit.
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
B (M-Z)
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
1.: Naturalism and Aristotelianism in the 15th and 16th centuries: Pietro Pomponazzi
2.: Naturalism and libertinism in the 16th and 17th centuries: Giulio Cesare Vanini
3.: Libertinism and scepticism in the 17th and 18th centuries: Pierre Bayle
Can demonic action influence natural phenomena, and how? Can one find naturalistic explanations for seemingly supernatural or demonic events? Do celestial bodies allow for the prognostication of human vicissitudes? And, lastly, are revealed religions based upon a natural foundation? These questions are of crucial importance for early modern culture.
To provide students with an analysis of these issues as they were discussed from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century, the course will concentrate on three authors: Pietro Pomponazzi, Giulio Cesare Vanini, and Pierre Bayle. In spite of their differences, all these authors advanced naturalistic explanations of phenomena that were traditionally considered supernatural. What is more, their thought, grounded in the humanist tradition, develops a sceptical line of argumentation that was to prove of paramount importance for Libertine and Enlightenment philosophy. Pomponazzi's, Vanini's, and Bayle's different forms of scepticism, along with their naturalistic tendencies, also led them to border on heresy, when they did not advocate atheism altogether.
The course is open to students belonging to the:
- Degree course in FILOSOFIA (L-5), classes of 2017/18 to 2023/24, surnames M-Z
- Degree course in LETTERE (L-10), classes of 2015/16 to 2023/24
2.: Naturalism and libertinism in the 16th and 17th centuries: Giulio Cesare Vanini
3.: Libertinism and scepticism in the 17th and 18th centuries: Pierre Bayle
Can demonic action influence natural phenomena, and how? Can one find naturalistic explanations for seemingly supernatural or demonic events? Do celestial bodies allow for the prognostication of human vicissitudes? And, lastly, are revealed religions based upon a natural foundation? These questions are of crucial importance for early modern culture.
To provide students with an analysis of these issues as they were discussed from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century, the course will concentrate on three authors: Pietro Pomponazzi, Giulio Cesare Vanini, and Pierre Bayle. In spite of their differences, all these authors advanced naturalistic explanations of phenomena that were traditionally considered supernatural. What is more, their thought, grounded in the humanist tradition, develops a sceptical line of argumentation that was to prove of paramount importance for Libertine and Enlightenment philosophy. Pomponazzi's, Vanini's, and Bayle's different forms of scepticism, along with their naturalistic tendencies, also led them to border on heresy, when they did not advocate atheism altogether.
The course is open to students belonging to the:
- Degree course in FILOSOFIA (L-5), classes of 2017/18 to 2023/24, surnames M-Z
- Degree course in LETTERE (L-10), classes of 2015/16 to 2023/24
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
In-class reading practice
Debate and discussion
In-class reading practice
Teaching Resources
ASSIGNED READINGS FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS (6 ECTU):
Primary sources:
- P. Pomponazzi, Le incantazioni, ed. by V. Perrone Compagni (Pisa: Edizioni della Normale, 2013), ch. 1, 3-4, 9, 10, 13 (oltre alla "Premessa" a pp. 93-98).
- G.C. Vanini, I meravigliosi segreti della natura, regina e dea dei mortali, in Tutte le opere, ed. by F.P. Raimondi (Milan: Bompiani, 2010), ch. 2, 4-6, 9, 37, 41, 48-52, 54-56, 59-60.
Secondary sources:
- U. Eco and R. Fedriga, La filosofia e le sue storie: L'età moderna (Rome and Bari: Laterza, 2015), capp. 1, 3-4.
- C. Vasoli and P.C. Pissavino (eds.), Le filosofie del rinascimento (Milano: Bruno Mondadori, 2002), capp. 16-17.
One of the following texts (text marked with ** can be chosen exclusively by students who are going to sit the exam for 9 ECTS):
- L. Bianchi, Tradizione libertina e critica storica: Da Naudé a Bayle (Milan: Franco Angeli, 1988).**
- S. Clarke, Vanities of the Eye: Vision in Early Modern European Culture (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2007), ch. 1, 4, 6, 8.
- J. Brooke and I. Maclean, Heterodoxy in Early Modern Science and Religion (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005), ch. 1, 3-4, 7.
- E. Garin, Lo zodiaco della vita (Rome and Bari: Laterza, [any edition]).
- G. Mori, Introduzione a Bayle (Rome and Bari: Laterza, [any edition]).**
- G. Mori, L'ateismo dei moderni: Filosofia e negazione di Dio da Spinoza a D'Holbach. Rome: Carocci, 2016, ch. 1-4.**
- B. Nardi, Naturalismo e Alessandrismo nel Rinascimento, ed. by M. Sgarbi (Travagliato and Brescia: Edizioni Torre d'Ercole, 2012), pp. 39-222.
- G. Paganini, Analisi della fede e critica della ragione nella filosofia di Pierre Bayle (Florence: La Nuova Italia, 1980), ch. 1-2, 5-6.**
- R.H. Popkin, Storia dello scetticismo (Milan: Bruno Mondadori, [any edition]), ch. 1-10.
- R.H. Popkin, The History of Scepticism: From Savonarola to Bayle (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2003), ch. 5, 8, 14-18.**
- F.P. Raimondi (ed.), Giulio Cesare Vanini e il libertinismo: Atti del convegno di studi taurisano, 28-30 ottobre 1999 (Cengedo: Gelatina, 2000), pp. 39-201.
- F.P. Raimondi, "Monografia introduttiva," in G.C. Vanini, Tutte le opere, ed. by F.P. Raimondi (Milan: Bompiani, 2010), pp. 7-59, 112-235.
- C.B. Schmitt, Problemi dell'aristotelismo rinascimentale (Napoli: Bibliopolis, 1985).
ADDITIONAL READINGS FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS SITTING THE EXAM FOR 9 ECTS:
Primary sources:
- P. Bayle, Pensieri sulla cometa, ed. by Cantelli (Rome and Bari: Laterza, [any edition]), ch. 1-24, 33-49, 57-67, 79-85, 99-122, 133-138, 160-162, 172-178, 182, 202-206, 217-222, 226-227, 262-263 (in addition to the "Avviso al lettore" and "Avvertenza al lettore").
Secondary sources:
- G. Mori, Introduzione a Bayle (Rome and Bari: Laterza, 1996), ch. 2 (pp. 25-40).
ASSIGNED READINGS FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS (6 ECTS):
Primary sources:
- P. Pomponazzi, Le incantazioni, ed. by V. Perrone Compagni (Pisa: Edizioni della Normale, 2013).
- G.C. Vanini, I meravigliosi segreti della natura, regina e dea dei mortali, in Tutte le opere, ed. by F.P. Raimondi (Milan: Bompiani, 2010).
Secondary soruces:
- U. Eco and R. Fedriga, La filosofia e le sue storie: L'età moderna (Rome and Bari: Laterza, 2015), ch. 1, 3-4.
- C. Vasoli and P.C. Pissavino (eds.), Le filosofie del rinascimento (Milan: Bruno Mondadori, 2002), ch. 7, 16-17.
- F.P. Raimondi, "Monografia introduttiva," in G.C. Vanini, Tutte le opere, ed. by F.P. Raimondi (Milan: Bompiani, 2010), pp. 7-59, 112-235.
ADDITIONAL READINGS FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS SITTING THE EXAM FOR 9 ECTS:
Letteratura primaria:
- P. Bayle, Pensieri sulla cometa, [any unabridged edition].
Secondary sources:
- G. Mori, Introduzione a Bayle (Rome and Bari: Laterza, 1996).
Primary sources:
- P. Pomponazzi, Le incantazioni, ed. by V. Perrone Compagni (Pisa: Edizioni della Normale, 2013), ch. 1, 3-4, 9, 10, 13 (oltre alla "Premessa" a pp. 93-98).
- G.C. Vanini, I meravigliosi segreti della natura, regina e dea dei mortali, in Tutte le opere, ed. by F.P. Raimondi (Milan: Bompiani, 2010), ch. 2, 4-6, 9, 37, 41, 48-52, 54-56, 59-60.
Secondary sources:
- U. Eco and R. Fedriga, La filosofia e le sue storie: L'età moderna (Rome and Bari: Laterza, 2015), capp. 1, 3-4.
- C. Vasoli and P.C. Pissavino (eds.), Le filosofie del rinascimento (Milano: Bruno Mondadori, 2002), capp. 16-17.
One of the following texts (text marked with ** can be chosen exclusively by students who are going to sit the exam for 9 ECTS):
- L. Bianchi, Tradizione libertina e critica storica: Da Naudé a Bayle (Milan: Franco Angeli, 1988).**
- S. Clarke, Vanities of the Eye: Vision in Early Modern European Culture (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2007), ch. 1, 4, 6, 8.
- J. Brooke and I. Maclean, Heterodoxy in Early Modern Science and Religion (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005), ch. 1, 3-4, 7.
- E. Garin, Lo zodiaco della vita (Rome and Bari: Laterza, [any edition]).
- G. Mori, Introduzione a Bayle (Rome and Bari: Laterza, [any edition]).**
- G. Mori, L'ateismo dei moderni: Filosofia e negazione di Dio da Spinoza a D'Holbach. Rome: Carocci, 2016, ch. 1-4.**
- B. Nardi, Naturalismo e Alessandrismo nel Rinascimento, ed. by M. Sgarbi (Travagliato and Brescia: Edizioni Torre d'Ercole, 2012), pp. 39-222.
- G. Paganini, Analisi della fede e critica della ragione nella filosofia di Pierre Bayle (Florence: La Nuova Italia, 1980), ch. 1-2, 5-6.**
- R.H. Popkin, Storia dello scetticismo (Milan: Bruno Mondadori, [any edition]), ch. 1-10.
- R.H. Popkin, The History of Scepticism: From Savonarola to Bayle (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2003), ch. 5, 8, 14-18.**
- F.P. Raimondi (ed.), Giulio Cesare Vanini e il libertinismo: Atti del convegno di studi taurisano, 28-30 ottobre 1999 (Cengedo: Gelatina, 2000), pp. 39-201.
- F.P. Raimondi, "Monografia introduttiva," in G.C. Vanini, Tutte le opere, ed. by F.P. Raimondi (Milan: Bompiani, 2010), pp. 7-59, 112-235.
- C.B. Schmitt, Problemi dell'aristotelismo rinascimentale (Napoli: Bibliopolis, 1985).
ADDITIONAL READINGS FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS SITTING THE EXAM FOR 9 ECTS:
Primary sources:
- P. Bayle, Pensieri sulla cometa, ed. by Cantelli (Rome and Bari: Laterza, [any edition]), ch. 1-24, 33-49, 57-67, 79-85, 99-122, 133-138, 160-162, 172-178, 182, 202-206, 217-222, 226-227, 262-263 (in addition to the "Avviso al lettore" and "Avvertenza al lettore").
Secondary sources:
- G. Mori, Introduzione a Bayle (Rome and Bari: Laterza, 1996), ch. 2 (pp. 25-40).
ASSIGNED READINGS FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS (6 ECTS):
Primary sources:
- P. Pomponazzi, Le incantazioni, ed. by V. Perrone Compagni (Pisa: Edizioni della Normale, 2013).
- G.C. Vanini, I meravigliosi segreti della natura, regina e dea dei mortali, in Tutte le opere, ed. by F.P. Raimondi (Milan: Bompiani, 2010).
Secondary soruces:
- U. Eco and R. Fedriga, La filosofia e le sue storie: L'età moderna (Rome and Bari: Laterza, 2015), ch. 1, 3-4.
- C. Vasoli and P.C. Pissavino (eds.), Le filosofie del rinascimento (Milan: Bruno Mondadori, 2002), ch. 7, 16-17.
- F.P. Raimondi, "Monografia introduttiva," in G.C. Vanini, Tutte le opere, ed. by F.P. Raimondi (Milan: Bompiani, 2010), pp. 7-59, 112-235.
ADDITIONAL READINGS FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS SITTING THE EXAM FOR 9 ECTS:
Letteratura primaria:
- P. Bayle, Pensieri sulla cometa, [any unabridged edition].
Secondary sources:
- G. Mori, Introduzione a Bayle (Rome and Bari: Laterza, 1996).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination will consist of an oral exam covering the topics discussed in class and the assigned readings. During the exam, students will also be asked to read and comment on passages taken from the primary sources assigned as readings.
Non-attending students will not be examined on topics discussed exclusively in class.
The grading system for the final exam is based on a 0-30 scale, 18 being the lowest passing mark.
Non-attending students will not be examined on topics discussed exclusively in class.
The grading system for the final exam is based on a 0-30 scale, 18 being the lowest passing mark.
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, h. 14,00-17,00 (on skype/teams). Students can schedule an online meeting by email
Skype / Teams