History of Modern Philosophy (MA)
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims to allow students to acquire the methodological and critical tools characterising philosophical studies in the history of early modern philosophy, in their different articulations, together with a sound general knowledge of the historical evolution of modern philosophical thought. To comply with the typically interdisciplinary character of philosophical research, the course also enables students to acquire adequate historical, linguistic and philological training, according to the study of the early modern age
The analysis of a central theme of metaphysics and its evolutions during the 17th and 18th centuries will allow the student to develop an in-depth knowledge of the various phases of the early modern philosophical tradition and the intersections between metaphysical, theological and moral perspectives.
The analysis of a central theme of metaphysics and its evolutions during the 17th and 18th centuries will allow the student to develop an in-depth knowledge of the various phases of the early modern philosophical tradition and the intersections between metaphysical, theological and moral perspectives.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
1. masters a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the history of early modern philosophy, acquired through the reading of some classics of the early modern period and the study of secondary literature
2. has a philologically sound knowledge of the sources of early modern texts
3. understands the historical and theoretical meaning of early modern texts (also in their original language) and the transformations of traditions, concepts and argumentative forms over time
4. understands the various interpretations of texts analysed in different chronological, cultural and linguistic contexts in the early modern tradition
5. has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools characterising the historical-philosophical research, with special reference to the early modern period.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
1. can apply the knowledge acquired in framing historically authors and texts from the early modern period
2. can soundly and adequately make use of the early modern philosophical lexicon, with philological awareness
3. can apply the acquired knowledge on the historical development of the argumentative forms, traditions of the early modern thought to the analysis of new textual and theoretical problems
4. can master and apply the methodological resources and bibliographic tools of historical-philosophical research in the early modern context and can produce original research, discussing the results obtained and presenting them to others.
At the end of the course, the student
1. masters a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the history of early modern philosophy, acquired through the reading of some classics of the early modern period and the study of secondary literature
2. has a philologically sound knowledge of the sources of early modern texts
3. understands the historical and theoretical meaning of early modern texts (also in their original language) and the transformations of traditions, concepts and argumentative forms over time
4. understands the various interpretations of texts analysed in different chronological, cultural and linguistic contexts in the early modern tradition
5. has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools characterising the historical-philosophical research, with special reference to the early modern period.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
1. can apply the knowledge acquired in framing historically authors and texts from the early modern period
2. can soundly and adequately make use of the early modern philosophical lexicon, with philological awareness
3. can apply the acquired knowledge on the historical development of the argumentative forms, traditions of the early modern thought to the analysis of new textual and theoretical problems
4. can master and apply the methodological resources and bibliographic tools of historical-philosophical research in the early modern context and can produce original research, discussing the results obtained and presenting them to others.
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
BLAISE PASCAL, RAISON, FAITH, AND THE BIRTH OF MODERN APOLOGETICS
The year 2023 marks the fourth centenary of the birth of Pascal (1623-1662). Pascal is an author who has exerted and continues to exert a profound influence on European culture and has fascinated generations of readers. A multifaceted intellect, who revolutionised the fields of physics, logic, but also economics and biblical exegesis, Pascal is best known for his reflection on Christian faith and the possibility of providing an illustration of Christianity that is also a defence of the necessity, or at least of the plausibility, of belief. With this reflection, expressed above all in his famous Pensées, Pascal profoundly renews an ancient tradition: that of the writings of apologia for Christianity, which finds its model in the pages of Saint Augustine.
The aim of this course is to analyse Pascal's writings referable to the apologetic project and to measure their specificity and resolutely modern character through a comparison with a pamphlet by Saint Augustine entitled On True Religion (De vera religione).
The year 2023 marks the fourth centenary of the birth of Pascal (1623-1662). Pascal is an author who has exerted and continues to exert a profound influence on European culture and has fascinated generations of readers. A multifaceted intellect, who revolutionised the fields of physics, logic, but also economics and biblical exegesis, Pascal is best known for his reflection on Christian faith and the possibility of providing an illustration of Christianity that is also a defence of the necessity, or at least of the plausibility, of belief. With this reflection, expressed above all in his famous Pensées, Pascal profoundly renews an ancient tradition: that of the writings of apologia for Christianity, which finds its model in the pages of Saint Augustine.
The aim of this course is to analyse Pascal's writings referable to the apologetic project and to measure their specificity and resolutely modern character through a comparison with a pamphlet by Saint Augustine entitled On True Religion (De vera religione).
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
I.1 Agostino, De vera religione, La vera religione. Varie edizioni italiane disponibili: De vera religione, La vera religione, tr. it. M. Vannini, Mursia, 2012; La vera religione, tr. it. O Grassi, Rusconi, 1997 (già in Agostino, Il filosofo e la fede. Soliloqui, La vera religione, L'utilità del credere, La fede nelle cose che non si vedono, tr. it. O. Grassi, Rusconi, 1989)
I.2 G. Catapano, Agostino, Carocci, 2010.
I.3 E. Gilson, Introduzione allo studio di sant'Agostino, Marietti 1820, 2020.
II.1 Pascal, Prefazione al trattato sul vuoto, Colloquio di Pascal con de Sacy, Sullo spirito geometrico e l'arte di persuadere, Sulla conversione del peccatore, Preghiera per chiedere a Dio il buon uso delle malattie. Varie edizioni italiane disponibili in Pascal, Opuscoli e scritti vari, tr. it. G. Preti, Laterza, 1959; Pascal, Pensieri, Opuscoli, Lettere, tr. it di A. Bausola e R. Tapella Rusconi, 1978 (più volte ristampato); Pascal, Opere complete, tr. it. M. V. Romeo, Bompiani, 2020; Pascal, Opere, tr. it. D. Bosco, Morcelliana, 2022.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
III.1 Pascal, Frammenti, tr. it. E. Balmas, BUR, Rizzoli, 1994 (più volte ristampata). Si richiede obbligatoriamente l'uso di questa traduzione dei Pensieri.
III.2 V. Carraud, Pascal e la filosofia, Morcelliana, 2022.
III.3 J.L. Marion, Il prisma metafisico di Descartes, unicamente cap. V, Guerini, 2005 (testo fornito del docente).
III.4 J. Mesnard, Sui Pensieri di Pascal, Morcelliana, 2011.
III.5 M. Dal Pra, Pascal averroista?, Morcelliana, 2022.
IV. One book from this list:
- M. Moriarty, Pascal: Reasoning and Belief, Oxford University Press, 2021.
- V. Carraud, Pascal, Dalle conoscenze naturali allo studio dell'uomo, Le Monnier, 2015.
- G- Ferreyrolles, Pascal et la raison du politique, PUF, 1984.
- G- Ferreyrolles, Les reines du monde. L'imagination et la coutume chez Pascal, Champion, 1995.
- J. Laporte, Il cuore e la ragione secondo Pascal, Morcelliana, 2018.
- P. Serini, Pascal, Einaudi Reprints, 1975.
- Sellier, Pascal e Port-Royal, Morcelliana, 2013.
- R. Gatti, Politica e trascendenza. Saggio su Pascal, Studium, 2010.
- H. Gouhier, Blaise Pascal. Commentaires [1966], Vrin, 1971.
- H. Gouhier,, Blaise Pascal. Conversion et apologétique, Vrin, 1986.
- R. Caldarone, La filosofia in fiamme. Saggio su Pascal, Morcelliana, 2020.
- M. V. Romeo, Il re di concupiscenza. Saggio su Pascal etico-politico, Vita e Pensiero, 2009.
- A. Pugh, The Composition of Pascal's Apologia, Toronto University Press, 1984.
- S. Melzer, Discourses of the Fall: A Study of Pascal's Pensées, University of California Press, 1986.
- L. Thirouin, Pascal ou le défaut de la méthode: lecture des Pensées selon leur ordre, Champion, 2015.
- K. Flasch, Agostino d'Ippona. Introduzione all'opera filosofica, Bologna, 1983.
- G. O'Daly, La filosofia della mente in Agostino, Palermo, 1988.
- G. Lettieri, L'altro Agostino, Morcelliana, 2021.
- J.-L. Marion, Sant'Agostino. In luogo di sé, Jaca Book, 2014.
READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS FOR NON ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
I.1 Agostino, De vera religione, La vera religione. Varie edizioni italiane disponibili: De vera religione, La vera religione, tr. it. M. Vannini, Mursia, 2012; La vera religione, tr. it. O Grassi, Rusconi, 1997 (già in Agostino, Il filosofo e la fede. Soliloqui, La vera religione, L'utilità del credere, La fede nelle cose che non si vedono, tr. it. O. Grassi, Rusconi, 1989)
I.2 G. Catapano, Agostino, Carocci, 2010.
I.3 E. Gilson, Introduzione allo studio di sant'Agostino, Marietti 1820, 2020.
II.1 Pascal, Prefazione al trattato sul vuoto, Colloquio di Pascal con de Sacy, Sullo spirito geometrico e l'arte di persuadere, Sulla conversione del peccatore, Preghiera per chiedere a Dio il buon uso delle malattie. Varie edizioni italiane disponibili in Pascal, Opuscoli e scritti vari, tr. it. G. Preti, Laterza, 1959; Pascal, Pensieri, Opuscoli, Lettere, tr. it di A. Bausola e R. Tapella Rusconi, 1978 (più volte ristampato); Pascal, Opere complete, tr. it. M. V. Romeo, Bompiani, 2020; Pascal, Opere, tr. it. D. Bosco, Morcelliana, 2022.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
III.1 Pascal, Frammenti, tr. it. E. Balmas, BUR, Rizzoli, 1994 (più volte ristampata). Si richiede obbligatoriamente l'uso di questa traduzione dei Pensieri.
III.2 V. Carraud, Pascal e la filosofia, Morcelliana, 2022.
III.3 J.L. Marion, Il prisma metafisico di Descartes, unicamente cap. V, Guerini, 2005 (testo fornito del docente).
III.4 J. Mesnard, Sui Pensieri di Pascal, Morcelliana, 2011.
III.5 M. Dal Pra, Pascal averroista?, Morcelliana, 2022.
IV. Two books from this list:
- M. Moriarty, Pascal: Reasoning and Belief, Oxford University Press, 2021.
- V. Carraud, Pascal, Dalle conoscenze naturali allo studio dell'uomo, Le Monnier, 2015.
- G- Ferreyrolles, Pascal et la raison du politique, PUF, 1984.
- G- Ferreyrolles, Les reines du monde. L'imagination et la coutume chez Pascal, Champion, 1995.
- J. Laporte, Il cuore e la ragione secondo Pascal, Morcelliana, 2018.
- P. Serini, Pascal, Einaudi Reprints, 1975.
- Sellier, Pascal e Port-Royal, Morcelliana, 2013.
- R. Gatti, Politica e trascendenza. Saggio su Pascal, Studium, 2010.
- H. Gouhier, Blaise Pascal. Commentaires [1966], Vrin, 1971.
- H. Gouhier,, Blaise Pascal. Conversion et apologétique, Vrin, 1986.
- R. Caldarone, La filosofia in fiamme. Saggio su Pascal, Morcelliana, 2020.
- M. V. Romeo, Il re di concupiscenza. Saggio su Pascal etico-politico, Vita e Pensiero, 2009.
- A. Pugh, The Composition of Pascal's Apologia, Toronto University Press, 1984.
- S. Melzer, Discourses of the Fall: A Study of Pascal's Pensées, University of California Press, 1986.
- L. Thirouin, Pascal ou le défaut de la méthode: lecture des Pensées selon leur ordre, Champion, 2015.
- K. Flasch, Agostino d'Ippona. Introduzione all'opera filosofica, Bologna, 1983.
- G. O'Daly, La filosofia della mente in Agostino, Palermo, 1988.
- G. Lettieri, L'altro Agostino, Morcelliana, 2021.
- J.-L. Marion, Sant'Agostino. In luogo di sé, Jaca Book, 2014.
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
I.1 Agostino, De vera religione, La vera religione. Varie edizioni italiane disponibili: De vera religione, La vera religione, tr. it. M. Vannini, Mursia, 2012; La vera religione, tr. it. O Grassi, Rusconi, 1997 (già in Agostino, Il filosofo e la fede. Soliloqui, La vera religione, L'utilità del credere, La fede nelle cose che non si vedono, tr. it. O. Grassi, Rusconi, 1989)
I.2 G. Catapano, Agostino, Carocci, 2010.
I.3 E. Gilson, Introduzione allo studio di sant'Agostino, Marietti 1820, 2020.
II.1 Pascal, Prefazione al trattato sul vuoto, Colloquio di Pascal con de Sacy, Sullo spirito geometrico e l'arte di persuadere, Sulla conversione del peccatore, Preghiera per chiedere a Dio il buon uso delle malattie. Varie edizioni italiane disponibili in Pascal, Opuscoli e scritti vari, tr. it. G. Preti, Laterza, 1959; Pascal, Pensieri, Opuscoli, Lettere, tr. it di A. Bausola e R. Tapella Rusconi, 1978 (più volte ristampato); Pascal, Opere complete, tr. it. M. V. Romeo, Bompiani, 2020; Pascal, Opere, tr. it. D. Bosco, Morcelliana, 2022.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
III.1 Pascal, Frammenti, tr. it. E. Balmas, BUR, Rizzoli, 1994 (più volte ristampata). Si richiede obbligatoriamente l'uso di questa traduzione dei Pensieri.
III.2 V. Carraud, Pascal e la filosofia, Morcelliana, 2022.
III.3 J.L. Marion, Il prisma metafisico di Descartes, unicamente cap. V, Guerini, 2005 (testo fornito del docente).
III.4 J. Mesnard, Sui Pensieri di Pascal, Morcelliana, 2011.
III.5 M. Dal Pra, Pascal averroista?, Morcelliana, 2022.
IV. One book from this list:
- M. Moriarty, Pascal: Reasoning and Belief, Oxford University Press, 2021.
- V. Carraud, Pascal, Dalle conoscenze naturali allo studio dell'uomo, Le Monnier, 2015.
- G- Ferreyrolles, Pascal et la raison du politique, PUF, 1984.
- G- Ferreyrolles, Les reines du monde. L'imagination et la coutume chez Pascal, Champion, 1995.
- J. Laporte, Il cuore e la ragione secondo Pascal, Morcelliana, 2018.
- P. Serini, Pascal, Einaudi Reprints, 1975.
- Sellier, Pascal e Port-Royal, Morcelliana, 2013.
- R. Gatti, Politica e trascendenza. Saggio su Pascal, Studium, 2010.
- H. Gouhier, Blaise Pascal. Commentaires [1966], Vrin, 1971.
- H. Gouhier,, Blaise Pascal. Conversion et apologétique, Vrin, 1986.
- R. Caldarone, La filosofia in fiamme. Saggio su Pascal, Morcelliana, 2020.
- M. V. Romeo, Il re di concupiscenza. Saggio su Pascal etico-politico, Vita e Pensiero, 2009.
- A. Pugh, The Composition of Pascal's Apologia, Toronto University Press, 1984.
- S. Melzer, Discourses of the Fall: A Study of Pascal's Pensées, University of California Press, 1986.
- L. Thirouin, Pascal ou le défaut de la méthode: lecture des Pensées selon leur ordre, Champion, 2015.
- K. Flasch, Agostino d'Ippona. Introduzione all'opera filosofica, Bologna, 1983.
- G. O'Daly, La filosofia della mente in Agostino, Palermo, 1988.
- G. Lettieri, L'altro Agostino, Morcelliana, 2021.
- J.-L. Marion, Sant'Agostino. In luogo di sé, Jaca Book, 2014.
READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS FOR NON ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
I.1 Agostino, De vera religione, La vera religione. Varie edizioni italiane disponibili: De vera religione, La vera religione, tr. it. M. Vannini, Mursia, 2012; La vera religione, tr. it. O Grassi, Rusconi, 1997 (già in Agostino, Il filosofo e la fede. Soliloqui, La vera religione, L'utilità del credere, La fede nelle cose che non si vedono, tr. it. O. Grassi, Rusconi, 1989)
I.2 G. Catapano, Agostino, Carocci, 2010.
I.3 E. Gilson, Introduzione allo studio di sant'Agostino, Marietti 1820, 2020.
II.1 Pascal, Prefazione al trattato sul vuoto, Colloquio di Pascal con de Sacy, Sullo spirito geometrico e l'arte di persuadere, Sulla conversione del peccatore, Preghiera per chiedere a Dio il buon uso delle malattie. Varie edizioni italiane disponibili in Pascal, Opuscoli e scritti vari, tr. it. G. Preti, Laterza, 1959; Pascal, Pensieri, Opuscoli, Lettere, tr. it di A. Bausola e R. Tapella Rusconi, 1978 (più volte ristampato); Pascal, Opere complete, tr. it. M. V. Romeo, Bompiani, 2020; Pascal, Opere, tr. it. D. Bosco, Morcelliana, 2022.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
III.1 Pascal, Frammenti, tr. it. E. Balmas, BUR, Rizzoli, 1994 (più volte ristampata). Si richiede obbligatoriamente l'uso di questa traduzione dei Pensieri.
III.2 V. Carraud, Pascal e la filosofia, Morcelliana, 2022.
III.3 J.L. Marion, Il prisma metafisico di Descartes, unicamente cap. V, Guerini, 2005 (testo fornito del docente).
III.4 J. Mesnard, Sui Pensieri di Pascal, Morcelliana, 2011.
III.5 M. Dal Pra, Pascal averroista?, Morcelliana, 2022.
IV. Two books from this list:
- M. Moriarty, Pascal: Reasoning and Belief, Oxford University Press, 2021.
- V. Carraud, Pascal, Dalle conoscenze naturali allo studio dell'uomo, Le Monnier, 2015.
- G- Ferreyrolles, Pascal et la raison du politique, PUF, 1984.
- G- Ferreyrolles, Les reines du monde. L'imagination et la coutume chez Pascal, Champion, 1995.
- J. Laporte, Il cuore e la ragione secondo Pascal, Morcelliana, 2018.
- P. Serini, Pascal, Einaudi Reprints, 1975.
- Sellier, Pascal e Port-Royal, Morcelliana, 2013.
- R. Gatti, Politica e trascendenza. Saggio su Pascal, Studium, 2010.
- H. Gouhier, Blaise Pascal. Commentaires [1966], Vrin, 1971.
- H. Gouhier,, Blaise Pascal. Conversion et apologétique, Vrin, 1986.
- R. Caldarone, La filosofia in fiamme. Saggio su Pascal, Morcelliana, 2020.
- M. V. Romeo, Il re di concupiscenza. Saggio su Pascal etico-politico, Vita e Pensiero, 2009.
- A. Pugh, The Composition of Pascal's Apologia, Toronto University Press, 1984.
- S. Melzer, Discourses of the Fall: A Study of Pascal's Pensées, University of California Press, 1986.
- L. Thirouin, Pascal ou le défaut de la méthode: lecture des Pensées selon leur ordre, Champion, 2015.
- K. Flasch, Agostino d'Ippona. Introduzione all'opera filosofica, Bologna, 1983.
- G. O'Daly, La filosofia della mente in Agostino, Palermo, 1988.
- G. Lettieri, L'altro Agostino, Morcelliana, 2021.
- J.-L. Marion, Sant'Agostino. In luogo di sé, Jaca Book, 2014.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination: The oral examination consists of an interview on the topics of the course and the texts in the programme. During the semester, those who wish will be assigned texts to comment in class or in a paper of a maximum of 10 000 characters, spaces included. These oral and written presentations will contribute to the final assessment.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday from 15 to 18 p.m. Contact the professor to schedule an appointment.
Dipartimento di Filosofia, Cortile Ghiacciaia, Ist floor.