History of Contemporary Metaphysics
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
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.
Expected learning outcomes
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.
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
Course syllabus
ONTOLOGICAL COMMITMENT AND METAPHYSICAL GROUNDING IN THE DEBATE IN META-METAPHYSICS
The course of History of Contemporary Metaphysics will introduce students to key problems and authors of contemporary Metaphysics, Ontology. This year, the monographic course intends to present the contemporary debate in ontology 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 part, the tools, lexicon and fundamental notions of contemporary metaphysics and ontology are introduced and some applications of philosophical ontology are presented. In the historical part, 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. There are no additional didactic activities or seminars.
The course of History of Contemporary Metaphysics will introduce students to key problems and authors of contemporary Metaphysics, Ontology. This year, the monographic course intends to present the contemporary debate in ontology 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 part, the tools, lexicon and fundamental notions of contemporary metaphysics and ontology are introduced and some applications of philosophical ontology are presented. In the historical part, 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. There are no additional didactic activities or seminars.
Prerequisites for admission
The course requires a good knowledge of the terminology of philosophy and a basic knowledge of the authors and main currents of contemporary philosophy, with particular reference to kantianism and neokantianism, logical neo-empiricism and analytic philosophy.
Teaching methods
The History of Contemporary Metaphysics course offers an introduction to the problems and key figures of contemporary metaphysics and ontology, through lectures, PowerPoint presentations, moments of discussion in the classroom and scheduled presentation given the students (which will be considered in all respects an integral part of the course)
Teaching Resources
(A list of literature in English is available upon request to the instructor)
BIBLIOGRAPHY COMMON TO THE 6 AND 9 CFU EXAM [ATTENDING STUDENTS]:
a) GENERAL PART:
P. Valore, L'inventario del mondo. Guida allo studio dell'ontologia, UTET, Torino 2008, Part I: "Lessico di base"; Part II: "Strumenti" (pp. 3-78); Part III: "Categorie" (pp. 79-143); Parte VI: "Esistenza" (pp. 195-234); Part VII: "Entità" (pp. 235-296).
b) READINGS:
R. Carnap, "Empirismo, semantica e ontologia", in Significato e necessità, a cura di F. Priore, presentazione di A. Pasquinelli, trad. it. di A. Berra, La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1976
W.V. Quine, "Che cosa c'è" e "Due dogmi dell'empirismo", in W.V. Quine, Da un punto di vista logico. Saggi logico-filosofici, a cura di P. Valore, Cortina, Milano 2004, pp. 13-33 e pp. 35-65.
From Metametaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, edited by D. Chalmers, D. Manley, and R. Wasserman, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009: H. Price, "Metaphysics after Carnap: The Ghost Who Walks?", pp. 320-346.
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE 9 CFU EXAM:
M. Ekklund, "Alien Structures and Themes from Analytical Philosophy", in Giornale di metafisica, draft, disponibile gratuitamente all'indirizzo
https://www.academia.edu/38543854/Alien_Structure_and_Themes_From_Analytic_Philosophy
Da Metametaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, edited by D. Chalmers, D. Manley, and R. Wasserman, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009: K. Fine, "The Question of Ontology", pp. 158-177; J. Schaffer, "On What Grounds What, pp. 347-383.
BIBLIOGRAPHY COMMON TO THE 6 AND 9 CFU EXAM [ATTENDING STUDENTS]:
a) GENERAL PART:
P. Valore, L'inventario del mondo. Guida allo studio dell'ontologia, UTET, Torino 2008, Part I: "Lessico di base"; Part II: "Strumenti" (pp. 3-78); Part III: "Categorie" (pp. 79-143); Parte VI: "Esistenza" (pp. 195-234); Part VII: "Entità" (pp. 235-296).
b) READINGS:
R. Carnap, "Empirismo, semantica e ontologia", in Significato e necessità, a cura di F. Priore, presentazione di A. Pasquinelli, trad. it. di A. Berra, La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1976
W.V. Quine, "Che cosa c'è" e "Due dogmi dell'empirismo", in W.V. Quine, Da un punto di vista logico. Saggi logico-filosofici, a cura di P. Valore, Cortina, Milano 2004, pp. 13-33 e pp. 35-65.
From Metametaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, edited by D. Chalmers, D. Manley, and R. Wasserman, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009: H. Price, "Metaphysics after Carnap: The Ghost Who Walks?", pp. 320-346.
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE 9 CFU EXAM:
M. Ekklund, "Alien Structures and Themes from Analytical Philosophy", in Giornale di metafisica, draft, disponibile gratuitamente all'indirizzo
https://www.academia.edu/38543854/Alien_Structure_and_Themes_From_Analytic_Philosophy
Da Metametaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, edited by D. Chalmers, D. Manley, and R. Wasserman, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009: K. Fine, "The Question of Ontology", pp. 158-177; J. Schaffer, "On What Grounds What, pp. 347-383.
Assessment methods and Criteria
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.
The exam will be the same for all students, regardless of the attendance of synchronous lectures. It 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 will be the same for all students, regardless of the attendance of synchronous lectures. It 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.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday from 5:00 PM
On line (Teams). Please send an email to book your appointment