Moral Philosophy
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with some groundwork of moral philosophy, with special reference to foundational issues concerning the theory of value and applications in the areas of philosophy of history, bioethics and political philosophy.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student is expected to:
- . knows the theoretical fundamentals of moral philosophy;
- knows the most significant ethical and value issues in their historical evolution
- know the core concepts, and the technical terms involved in the contemporary debate on the issues examined during the course;
- have a clear and critical understanding of the moral and axiological questions raised during the course, with special reference to the following theoretical oppositions: individualism and collectivism, freedom and justice, tradition and reason, deontology and utilitarianism, rights and duties.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student is further expected to:
- be able to apply the knowledge and the conceptual tools in moral philosophy that have been provided to him/her.
- be able to provide a critical and informed approach to some of the main themes debated in moral philosophy.
- be able to read and to successfully interpret philosophical sources in the field of moral and political philosophy.
- can frame the key authors of ethical and value-related debates and related themes in a historical perspective
At the end of the course the student is expected to:
- . knows the theoretical fundamentals of moral philosophy;
- knows the most significant ethical and value issues in their historical evolution
- know the core concepts, and the technical terms involved in the contemporary debate on the issues examined during the course;
- have a clear and critical understanding of the moral and axiological questions raised during the course, with special reference to the following theoretical oppositions: individualism and collectivism, freedom and justice, tradition and reason, deontology and utilitarianism, rights and duties.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student is further expected to:
- be able to apply the knowledge and the conceptual tools in moral philosophy that have been provided to him/her.
- be able to provide a critical and informed approach to some of the main themes debated in moral philosophy.
- be able to read and to successfully interpret philosophical sources in the field of moral and political philosophy.
- can frame the key authors of ethical and value-related debates and related themes in a historical perspective
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
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Program for attending students:
A. Vigorelli, La "pazienza" di Giacomo Leopardi. Agire e patire: analisi del sistema dello Zibaldone, Mimesis, Milano 2019.
G. Leopardi, Operette morali
G. Leopardi, Discorso sopra lo stato presente dei costumi degl'Italiani
Recommended edition: G. Leopardi, Poesie e prose, vol. II Prose, I Meridiani Mondadori, Milano 2015.
A. Lombardinilo, Leopardi: la bellezza del dire. Società, educazione, testualità nella Crestomazia italiana della prosa, Marsilio, Venezia 2012.
Program for not attending students
A. Vigorelli, La "pazienza" di Giacomo Leopardi. Agire e patire: analisi del sistema dello Zibaldone, Mimesis, Milano 2019.
A. Vigorelli, Il riso e il pianto. Introduzione a Schopenhauer, Guerini & Associati, Milano 2018.
G. Leopardi, Operette morali
G. Leopardi, Discorso sopra lo stato presente dei costumi degl'Italiani
Recommended edition: G. Leopardi, Poesie e prose, vol. II Prose, I Meridiani Mondadori, Milano 2015.
A. Lombardinilo, Leopardi: la bellezza del dire. Società, educazione, testualità nella Crestomazia italiana della prosa, Marsilio, Venezia 2012.
G. Leopardi, Volgarizzamenti in prosa 1822-1827, Marsilio, Venezia 2012.
A. Vigorelli, La "pazienza" di Giacomo Leopardi. Agire e patire: analisi del sistema dello Zibaldone, Mimesis, Milano 2019.
G. Leopardi, Operette morali
G. Leopardi, Discorso sopra lo stato presente dei costumi degl'Italiani
Recommended edition: G. Leopardi, Poesie e prose, vol. II Prose, I Meridiani Mondadori, Milano 2015.
A. Lombardinilo, Leopardi: la bellezza del dire. Società, educazione, testualità nella Crestomazia italiana della prosa, Marsilio, Venezia 2012.
Program for not attending students
A. Vigorelli, La "pazienza" di Giacomo Leopardi. Agire e patire: analisi del sistema dello Zibaldone, Mimesis, Milano 2019.
A. Vigorelli, Il riso e il pianto. Introduzione a Schopenhauer, Guerini & Associati, Milano 2018.
G. Leopardi, Operette morali
G. Leopardi, Discorso sopra lo stato presente dei costumi degl'Italiani
Recommended edition: G. Leopardi, Poesie e prose, vol. II Prose, I Meridiani Mondadori, Milano 2015.
A. Lombardinilo, Leopardi: la bellezza del dire. Società, educazione, testualità nella Crestomazia italiana della prosa, Marsilio, Venezia 2012.
G. Leopardi, Volgarizzamenti in prosa 1822-1827, Marsilio, Venezia 2012.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific precognition requested
Teaching methods
Taught Class
Teaching Resources
Duplicated lecture notes not available
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
B
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
During the course we shall discuss, from an historical, anthropological and ethical point of view, the changes undergone by our understanding of individual subjectivity and intersubjectivity, as they took place with the rise of liberal rationality and of capitalistic production.
In the first instance we are going to examine the genesis of liberal reason between XVII and XVIII Century, and then its development into XIX and XX Century. We are going to consider the axiological foundation of liberal theory and its operational transformation into neoclassical economics.
In the second part of the course we are going to analyse those aspects of neoclassical economics that support the late phase of capitalistic development, by focussing on its hidden anthropology and axiology. In the third part, we will discuss the specific challenge to personal and collective identities launched by neoliberal social ordering.
The course is open to all students of the degree course in Philosophy, for the number of ECTS planned by the relevant curricula.
In the first instance we are going to examine the genesis of liberal reason between XVII and XVIII Century, and then its development into XIX and XX Century. We are going to consider the axiological foundation of liberal theory and its operational transformation into neoclassical economics.
In the second part of the course we are going to analyse those aspects of neoclassical economics that support the late phase of capitalistic development, by focussing on its hidden anthropology and axiology. In the third part, we will discuss the specific challenge to personal and collective identities launched by neoliberal social ordering.
The course is open to all students of the degree course in Philosophy, for the number of ECTS planned by the relevant curricula.
Prerequisites for admission
All students are required to have a basic knowledge of the history of philosophy (at the level provided by an Italian High School/Liceo), and a basic knowledge of modern and contemporary history.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
Foucault, M. La nascita della biopolitica, Feltrinelli, Milano 2015
Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale, Milano, Mimesis 2020
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One of the two following volumes:
Rodrik, D., La globalizzazione intelligente, Bari, Laterza 2019
Manent, P., Storia intellettuale del liberalismo, Rubbettino 2008
--
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 6 ECTS exams:
Foucault, M. La nascita della biopolitica, Feltrinelli, Milano 2015
Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale, Milano, Mimesis 2020
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One of the two following volumes:
Rodrik, D., La globalizzazione intelligente, Bari, Laterza 2019
Manent, P., Storia intellettuale del liberalismo, Rubbettino 2008
+
Lasch, C., La rivolta delle élite, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2001.
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
Foucault, M. La nascita della biopolitica, Feltrinelli, Milano 2015
Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale, Milano, Mimesis 2020
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One of the two following volumes:
Rodrik, D., La globalizzazione intelligente, Bari, Laterza 2019
Manent, P., Storia intellettuale del liberalismo, Rubbettino 2008
--
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 6 ECTS exams:
Foucault, M. La nascita della biopolitica, Feltrinelli, Milano 2015
Zhok, A., Critica della ragione liberale, Milano, Mimesis 2020
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One of the two following volumes:
Rodrik, D., La globalizzazione intelligente, Bari, Laterza 2019
Manent, P., Storia intellettuale del liberalismo, Rubbettino 2008
+
Lasch, C., La rivolta delle élite, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2001.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final evaluation consists of an oral exam on the matter treated during the course.
General criteria that contribute to the determination of the final marks are: 1) Accuracy of the answers (adequacy to the textual matter); 2) Ability to provide a synthesis of the main conceptual issues; 3) Comprehensiveness and richness of the answers; 4) Expressive quality (terminological property, fluency, accuracy); 5) A critical capacity of reading the texts.
General criteria that contribute to the determination of the final marks are: 1) Accuracy of the answers (adequacy to the textual matter); 2) Ability to provide a synthesis of the main conceptual issues; 3) Comprehensiveness and richness of the answers; 4) Expressive quality (terminological property, fluency, accuracy); 5) A critical capacity of reading the texts.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)