History of Metaphysics
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
Aim of the course - which belongs to the area of History of Philosophy - is to develop a systematic, in-depth knowledge of significant moments in the history of metaphysics from the antiquity to the contemporary debates, through a critical engagement with both primary texts and the relevant secondary literature.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- understands the vocabulary and knows the methods, the aims and the main subjects of metaphysical thought;
- masters a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the main strands of the metaphysical tradition, based on the study of primary and secondary literature;
- has a philologically well-grounded knowledge of the sources of the texts s/he deals with;
- understands the historical and philosophical meaning of the texts (read also in their original language);
- understands the diverse interpretive takes on the primary sources;
- has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools for research on the history of metaphysical concepts and debates.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can soundly and adequately make use of the knowledge of the vocabulary, methods, and the main subjects of the metaphysical tradition;
- can critically apply the acquired knowledge to historical contextualisation of authors and texts;
- is able 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 views;
- is able to acknowledge the transformation of classical paradigms, traditions and perspectives;
- can confidently and independently apply various interpretations to different topics and new problems;
- masters the methodological and bibliographic tools of historical-philosophical research to produce personal research and discuss the results obtained in presenting them to others, both specialists and non-specialists.
At the end of the course, the student
- understands the vocabulary and knows the methods, the aims and the main subjects of metaphysical thought;
- masters a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the main strands of the metaphysical tradition, based on the study of primary and secondary literature;
- has a philologically well-grounded knowledge of the sources of the texts s/he deals with;
- understands the historical and philosophical meaning of the texts (read also in their original language);
- understands the diverse interpretive takes on the primary sources;
- has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools for research on the history of metaphysical concepts and debates.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can soundly and adequately make use of the knowledge of the vocabulary, methods, and the main subjects of the metaphysical tradition;
- can critically apply the acquired knowledge to historical contextualisation of authors and texts;
- is able 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 views;
- is able to acknowledge the transformation of classical paradigms, traditions and perspectives;
- can confidently and independently apply various interpretations to different topics and new problems;
- masters the methodological and bibliographic tools of historical-philosophical research to produce personal research and discuss the results obtained in presenting them to others, both specialists and non-specialists.
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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
During the ongoing covid emergency, the course syllabus will be maintained with the following changes made to enhance the effectiveness of the online version of the course, which was originally designed for face-to-face teaching.
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom.
The recordings of the lessons will remain available for the entire academic year
Online environments used:
Moodle Labonline:
Moodle: link https://labonline.ctu.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=404
Teams
Keycode:
int5uql
link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a9hpHfVhV4xqz1ricFKPm0DnaIY8n_B5kxhvWUfPGlIY1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=28177daf-cf4e-42f8-ba78-f2887f2c8fee&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom.
The recordings of the lessons will remain available for the entire academic year
Online environments used:
Moodle Labonline:
Moodle: link https://labonline.ctu.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=404
Teams
Keycode:
int5uql
link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a9hpHfVhV4xqz1ricFKPm0DnaIY8n_B5kxhvWUfPGlIY1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=28177daf-cf4e-42f8-ba78-f2887f2c8fee&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/sitting-exams
Course syllabus
The first lessons will provide a general introduction to the history of modal concepts and their role in metaphysics. The course will then focus on the modern period, between Descartes and Kant
Prerequisites for admission
No previous specific knowledge is required. A solid knoweldge of the history of philosophy is welcomed.
Teaching methods
Frontal Lessons.
Discussions on the topics of the course, starting from students' questions.
Writing exercise.
Discussions on the topics of the course, starting from students' questions.
Writing exercise.
Teaching Resources
M. Mugnai, Il possibile e il necessario. Bologna: Il Mulino, 2013. Capp. 1, 4, 5.
Da R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, a cura di S. Landucci, Roma-Bari: Laterza 1997 e segg.:
- dalla III Meditazione, pp. 79-83
- dalla V Meditazione, pp. 104-113
_______ da Tutte le opere 1637-1649, a cura di G. Belgioioso. Milano: Bompiani
- dalle I Obiezioni e Risposte
- dalle IV Obiezioni e Risposte (Dio)
B. Spinoza, Etica, I parte
G. W. Leibniz, da Scritti sulla predeterminazione (a cura di A. Costa). Milano: CUEM 2009: Lettera a Magnus Wedderkopf
________da Dialoghi filosofici e scientifici (a cura di F. Piro). Milano: Bompiani, 2007:
- Professione di fede del filosofo., pp. 3- 111.
________da Scritti filosofici, a cura di M. Mugnai e E. Pasini. Torino: UTET 2000, vol. I:
- L'ente perfettissimo esiste, pp. 179-180
- Su Descartes (a Christian Philipp), pp. 220- 224
- Sulla necessità e la contingenza; L'esistenza, pp. 246-247.
- dal Discorso di metafisica: § 8, pp. 268-269; § 13, pp.272-274
- Origine delle verità contingenti, pp. 418-420.
- Sulla libertà, la contingenza e la serie delle cause, sulla provvidenza, pp. 421-427.
- L'origine radicale delle cose, pp. 480-487.
- Sulla dimostrazione cartesiana dell'esistenza di Dio del R. P. Lamy, pp. 523-524.
______ da Scritti filosofici, a cura di M. Mugnai e E. Pasini, Torino: UTET 2000, vol. III: dalla Teodicea, §§ 405-417, pp. 389-398.
______ da Ricerche generali sull'analisi delle nozioni e delle verità e altri scritti di logica, a cura di M. Mugnai, Pisa: Edizioni della Normale: Ricerche generali, §§ 56-75, pp. 84-91
da I. Kant, Dissertazioni latine (a cura di I. Agostini). Milano: Bompiani 2014: dalla Nuova delucidazione dei primi principi della conoscenza metafisica, pp. 62-119
_____Scritti precritici. Roma.Bari, Laterza, 2000:
- L'unico argomento possibile per la dimostrazione dell'esistenza di Dio
dalla Critica della ragion pura, a cura di C. Esposito, Bompiani 2004:
- Postulati del pensiero empirico in generale, pp. 414-425
- IV Antinomia, pp. 686-697 e sua Soluzione, pp. 818-829
- L'Ideale della ragion pura, pp. 830-925.
Un testo a scelta tra:
(1) E. Scribano, L'esistenza di Dio, 2da ed. Roma: Carocci 2021.
(2) R.M. Adams, Leibniz's Theories of Contingency, in M.Hooker (ed.), Leibniz: Critical and Interpetative Essays. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press 1982, pp. 243-283.
- E. M. Curley, The Root of Contingency, in H. G. Frankfurt (ed.) , Leibniz: A Collection of Citical Essays. New York: Garden City 1972, pp. 69-97.
- F. Mondadori, Necessitas ex Hypothesi, in The Leibniz Renaissance. Firenze: Olschki, 1989, pp. 191-222.
(3) Griffin, Leibniz, God, and Necessity , Cambridge: Cambridge UP; 2013.
- M. Messeri, La necessità come dimostrabilità: Spinoza e Leibniz, in Annali della Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, III Serie, vol. XXI/2, 1992, pp. 495-511.
(4) N. Stang, Kant's Modal Metaphysics
(5) A. Lovejoy, La grande catena dell'essere. Milano. Feltrinelli
- J. Hintikka, Kant on the 'Great Chain of Being' or the Eventual Realization of all Possiblities: A Comparative Study in S. Knuutila (ed.), Reforging the Great Chain of Being. Studies of the History of Modal Theories. Berlin-Dordrecht-Boston: Springer, 1981, pp. 287-308.
Da R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, a cura di S. Landucci, Roma-Bari: Laterza 1997 e segg.:
- dalla III Meditazione, pp. 79-83
- dalla V Meditazione, pp. 104-113
_______ da Tutte le opere 1637-1649, a cura di G. Belgioioso. Milano: Bompiani
- dalle I Obiezioni e Risposte
- dalle IV Obiezioni e Risposte (Dio)
B. Spinoza, Etica, I parte
G. W. Leibniz, da Scritti sulla predeterminazione (a cura di A. Costa). Milano: CUEM 2009: Lettera a Magnus Wedderkopf
________da Dialoghi filosofici e scientifici (a cura di F. Piro). Milano: Bompiani, 2007:
- Professione di fede del filosofo., pp. 3- 111.
________da Scritti filosofici, a cura di M. Mugnai e E. Pasini. Torino: UTET 2000, vol. I:
- L'ente perfettissimo esiste, pp. 179-180
- Su Descartes (a Christian Philipp), pp. 220- 224
- Sulla necessità e la contingenza; L'esistenza, pp. 246-247.
- dal Discorso di metafisica: § 8, pp. 268-269; § 13, pp.272-274
- Origine delle verità contingenti, pp. 418-420.
- Sulla libertà, la contingenza e la serie delle cause, sulla provvidenza, pp. 421-427.
- L'origine radicale delle cose, pp. 480-487.
- Sulla dimostrazione cartesiana dell'esistenza di Dio del R. P. Lamy, pp. 523-524.
______ da Scritti filosofici, a cura di M. Mugnai e E. Pasini, Torino: UTET 2000, vol. III: dalla Teodicea, §§ 405-417, pp. 389-398.
______ da Ricerche generali sull'analisi delle nozioni e delle verità e altri scritti di logica, a cura di M. Mugnai, Pisa: Edizioni della Normale: Ricerche generali, §§ 56-75, pp. 84-91
da I. Kant, Dissertazioni latine (a cura di I. Agostini). Milano: Bompiani 2014: dalla Nuova delucidazione dei primi principi della conoscenza metafisica, pp. 62-119
_____Scritti precritici. Roma.Bari, Laterza, 2000:
- L'unico argomento possibile per la dimostrazione dell'esistenza di Dio
dalla Critica della ragion pura, a cura di C. Esposito, Bompiani 2004:
- Postulati del pensiero empirico in generale, pp. 414-425
- IV Antinomia, pp. 686-697 e sua Soluzione, pp. 818-829
- L'Ideale della ragion pura, pp. 830-925.
Un testo a scelta tra:
(1) E. Scribano, L'esistenza di Dio, 2da ed. Roma: Carocci 2021.
(2) R.M. Adams, Leibniz's Theories of Contingency, in M.Hooker (ed.), Leibniz: Critical and Interpetative Essays. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press 1982, pp. 243-283.
- E. M. Curley, The Root of Contingency, in H. G. Frankfurt (ed.) , Leibniz: A Collection of Citical Essays. New York: Garden City 1972, pp. 69-97.
- F. Mondadori, Necessitas ex Hypothesi, in The Leibniz Renaissance. Firenze: Olschki, 1989, pp. 191-222.
(3) Griffin, Leibniz, God, and Necessity , Cambridge: Cambridge UP; 2013.
- M. Messeri, La necessità come dimostrabilità: Spinoza e Leibniz, in Annali della Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, III Serie, vol. XXI/2, 1992, pp. 495-511.
(4) N. Stang, Kant's Modal Metaphysics
(5) A. Lovejoy, La grande catena dell'essere. Milano. Feltrinelli
- J. Hintikka, Kant on the 'Great Chain of Being' or the Eventual Realization of all Possiblities: A Comparative Study in S. Knuutila (ed.), Reforging the Great Chain of Being. Studies of the History of Modal Theories. Berlin-Dordrecht-Boston: Springer, 1981, pp. 287-308.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral exam will be a colloquium on the program of the course. The student will be required to explain and comment on a passage from the texts in programme.
Students are expected also to write a brief paper on one topic chosen among a list.
Students are expected also to write a brief paper on one topic chosen among a list.
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wendesday 09.30a.m. - 12.30 a.m.
In the office and on Microsoft Teams, Team "Ricevimento SDB" . Access Code: ourk7ks