History of Classical German Philosophy
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course, which belongs to the area of History of Philosophy, contributes to an in-depth critical knowledge of the history of philosophy from the Antiquity to contemporary debates. Aim of the course is to develop a systematic, in-depth knowledge of significant moments of the philosophical debates in Germany between the late 18th and the 19th century, especially from Kant to Hegel, through a critical engagement with both primary texts and the relevant secondary literature, also with regard to the impact on later philosophical views.
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 German classical philosophy;
- masters a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the main strands in German classical philosophy, 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 German classical philosophy.
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 German classical philosophy;
- 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 original 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 German classical philosophy;
- masters a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the main strands in German classical philosophy, 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 German classical philosophy.
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 German classical philosophy;
- 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 original research and discuss the results obtained in presenting them to others, both specialists and non-specialists.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The notion of recognition has gained an important role in a wide range of current debates in moral, social and political philosophy. Its introduction goes primarily back to German classical philosophy, and specifically to original claims by Fichte and Hegel, in the wake of Kant's view of respect due to persons. The class shall examine some of the main texts through which those writers crucially contributed to explore the notion of recognition and related ideas, also with regard to selected aspects of their reception.
Prerequisites for admission
A good knowledge of the history of philosophy, with special regard to modern philosophy, as is provided by the B.A. philosophy course.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, with PowerPoint presentations, mainly focused on introducing and commenting the texts included in the course programme.
Seminar discussions with brief presentation by the students.
Writing exercise.
Seminar discussions with brief presentation by the students.
Writing exercise.
Teaching Resources
For both 6 and 9 cfu the following literature is requested:
I. Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Second Section: IV 427-436.
I. Kant, Metaphysics of Morals: Doctrine of Right: Introduction to the Doctrine of Right, §§ A-E, and General Subdivision of Right, sect. B; Doctrine of Virtue, §§ 37-44.
J.G. Fichte, Foundations of Natural Right: Introduction and First Section (§§ 1-4).
A. Honneth, Recognition: A Chapter in the History of European Ideas, Cambridge University Press, 2020: chaps. IV and V; online with Unimi account: doi:10.1017/9781108872775
S. Darwall, "Two Kinds of Respect", Ethics 88 (1977), 36-49; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/1094h84/cdi_proquest_miscellaneous_60829521
O. Sensen, "Dignity and the Formula of Humanity", in J. Timmermann (ed.), Kant's 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals': A Critical Guide, Cambridge University Press, 102-118; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991017328889006031
O. Sensen, "Duties to Others From Respect (TL 6:462 - 468)", Kant's "Tugendlehre": A Comprehensive Commentary, edited by Andreas Trampota, Oliver Sensen and Jens Timmermann, Berlin-Boston, De Gruyter, 2013, 343-364; online with Unimi account: https://doi-org.pros1.lib.unimi.it/10.1515/9783110229875.343
A. Ripstein, Force and Freedom: Kant's Legal and Political Philosophy, Cambridge (Mass.), Harvard University Press, 2009, chap. 2; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991001885389706031
M. Nance,"Recognition, Freedom, and the Self in Fichte's Foundations of Natural Right" European Journal of Philosophy 23 (2015), 608-632; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/1094h84/cdi_crossref_primary_10_1111_j_1468_0378_2012_00552_x
For 9 cfu the following additional titles are also mandatory:
G.W.F. Hegel, Phenomenology of Spirit: IV.A (Self-Sufficiency and Non-Self-Sufficiency of Self-Consciousness; Mastery and Servitude).
G.W.F. Hegel, Encyclopaedia of the Philosophical Sciences in Basic Outline: §§ 413-439 (Phenomenology of Spirit).
G. W. F. Hegel, Outlines of the Philosophy of Right: First Part, Abstract Right.
H. Ikäheimo, "Hegel's Concept of Recognition - What Is It?", in Recognition - German Idealism as an Ongoing Challenge, edited by Christian Krijnen, Leiden, Brill, 2014, 11-38.
R.B. Pippin, "What is the Question for Which Hegel's 'Theory of Recognition' is the Answer?", European Journal of Philosophy 8 (2000), 155-172; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/1094h84/cdi_proquest_miscellaneous_38927753. (= R.B. Pippin, Hegel's Practical Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, 2008, chap. 7; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991017329689406031)
NB: The programme includes the texts given in the Powerpoint slides that are presented in class and will be available on the Ariel website of the class.
For non-attending students:
besides the literature listed above the following book is also mandatory (both for 6 and for 9 cfu):
T. Pinkard, German Philosophy, 1760-1860: The legacy of Idealism, Cambridge University Press, 2002.
I. Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Second Section: IV 427-436.
I. Kant, Metaphysics of Morals: Doctrine of Right: Introduction to the Doctrine of Right, §§ A-E, and General Subdivision of Right, sect. B; Doctrine of Virtue, §§ 37-44.
J.G. Fichte, Foundations of Natural Right: Introduction and First Section (§§ 1-4).
A. Honneth, Recognition: A Chapter in the History of European Ideas, Cambridge University Press, 2020: chaps. IV and V; online with Unimi account: doi:10.1017/9781108872775
S. Darwall, "Two Kinds of Respect", Ethics 88 (1977), 36-49; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/1094h84/cdi_proquest_miscellaneous_60829521
O. Sensen, "Dignity and the Formula of Humanity", in J. Timmermann (ed.), Kant's 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals': A Critical Guide, Cambridge University Press, 102-118; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991017328889006031
O. Sensen, "Duties to Others From Respect (TL 6:462 - 468)", Kant's "Tugendlehre": A Comprehensive Commentary, edited by Andreas Trampota, Oliver Sensen and Jens Timmermann, Berlin-Boston, De Gruyter, 2013, 343-364; online with Unimi account: https://doi-org.pros1.lib.unimi.it/10.1515/9783110229875.343
A. Ripstein, Force and Freedom: Kant's Legal and Political Philosophy, Cambridge (Mass.), Harvard University Press, 2009, chap. 2; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991001885389706031
M. Nance,"Recognition, Freedom, and the Self in Fichte's Foundations of Natural Right" European Journal of Philosophy 23 (2015), 608-632; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/1094h84/cdi_crossref_primary_10_1111_j_1468_0378_2012_00552_x
For 9 cfu the following additional titles are also mandatory:
G.W.F. Hegel, Phenomenology of Spirit: IV.A (Self-Sufficiency and Non-Self-Sufficiency of Self-Consciousness; Mastery and Servitude).
G.W.F. Hegel, Encyclopaedia of the Philosophical Sciences in Basic Outline: §§ 413-439 (Phenomenology of Spirit).
G. W. F. Hegel, Outlines of the Philosophy of Right: First Part, Abstract Right.
H. Ikäheimo, "Hegel's Concept of Recognition - What Is It?", in Recognition - German Idealism as an Ongoing Challenge, edited by Christian Krijnen, Leiden, Brill, 2014, 11-38.
R.B. Pippin, "What is the Question for Which Hegel's 'Theory of Recognition' is the Answer?", European Journal of Philosophy 8 (2000), 155-172; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/1094h84/cdi_proquest_miscellaneous_38927753. (= R.B. Pippin, Hegel's Practical Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, 2008, chap. 7; online with Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991017329689406031)
NB: The programme includes the texts given in the Powerpoint slides that are presented in class and will be available on the Ariel website of the class.
For non-attending students:
besides the literature listed above the following book is also mandatory (both for 6 and for 9 cfu):
T. Pinkard, German Philosophy, 1760-1860: The legacy of Idealism, Cambridge University Press, 2002.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exams, which will cover the topics of the class and the texts included in the programme.
Oral exams will also deal with a brief paper (max. 20000 characters long), in which the student shall deal with one of the texts included in the programme, as per the instructions given in class or otherwise agreed with the instructor.
The students will send their papers to the instructor at least five working days before the date of the exam in order to enlist for the oral exam.
Oral exams will also deal with a brief paper (max. 20000 characters long), in which the student shall deal with one of the texts included in the programme, as per the instructions given in class or otherwise agreed with the instructor.
The students will send their papers to the instructor at least five working days before the date of the exam in order to enlist for the oral exam.
Professor(s)