Philosophical Anthropology
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with theoretical and methodological tools enabling them to tackle contemporary philosophical debates in moral philosophy, with special reference to value theory, fondational and applied ethics, and to the anthropological basis of value judgments.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- have a thorough knowledge of the theoretical contribution of some of the major moral philosophers;
- have a critical and articulate knowledge of the secundary literature relevant to those philosophers, which have been object of analysis;
- have a critical understanding of the main ethical and axiological issues involved in the theoretical landscape of contemporary moral philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can apply the conceptual tools that she/he has acquired, in order to discuss and rework moral questions concerning meaning and orientation of her/his acts.
- can orient her/him-self in the philosophical landscape of contemporary moral debate.
- can read and soundly discuss primary and secondary philosophical literature.
At the end of the course, the student
- have a thorough knowledge of the theoretical contribution of some of the major moral philosophers;
- have a critical and articulate knowledge of the secundary literature relevant to those philosophers, which have been object of analysis;
- have a critical understanding of the main ethical and axiological issues involved in the theoretical landscape of contemporary moral philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can apply the conceptual tools that she/he has acquired, in order to discuss and rework moral questions concerning meaning and orientation of her/his acts.
- can orient her/him-self in the philosophical landscape of contemporary moral debate.
- can read and soundly discuss primary and secondary philosophical literature.
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 course will address the problem of how the notion of "justice" can be founded, with particular reference to the context of contemporary moral philosophy. In the first place, it will be a question of examining the background of the main moral theories that serve as ethical foundation today: Kantian deontology and utilitarianism. Secondly, the "communitarian" theoretical framework proposed by Michael Sandel will be discussed as an alternative approach to the two theories mentioned above. Finally, the role of the function of intersubjective recognition on the level of the foundation of the notion of justice will be considered.
Prerequisites for admission
The students are required to have a good acquaintance with the Western philosophical tradition, as it is provided by an Italian three-year philosophy degree. They are further required to be able to read English philosophical texts.
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:
· Zhok, A., Il dovere e il piacere. Un'introduzione critica all'etica contemporanea, Mimesis, Milano, 2021.
· Sandel, M. J., Giustizia. Il nostro bene comune, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One text to be chosen between:
· Honneth, A., Riconoscimento. Storia di un'idea europea, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2019
· Honneth, A., Recognition and Justice. Outline of a Plural Theory of Justice, in Acta Sociologica, 2004, Vol. 47(4): 351-364
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Zhok, A., Il dovere e il piacere. Un'introduzione critica all'etica contemporanea, Mimesis, Milano, 2021.
· Sandel, M. J., Giustizia. Il nostro bene comune, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Honneth, A., Riconoscimento. Storia di un'idea europea, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2019
· Honneth, A., Recognition and Justice. Outline of a Plural Theory of Justice, in Acta Sociologica, 2004, Vol. 47(4): 351-364
+
Sandel, M., Liberalism and the limits of justice, Cambridge University Press 1982.
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Zhok, A., Il dovere e il piacere. Un'introduzione critica all'etica contemporanea, Mimesis, Milano, 2021.
· Sandel, M. J., Giustizia. Il nostro bene comune, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One text to be chosen between:
· Honneth, A., Riconoscimento. Storia di un'idea europea, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2019
· Honneth, A., Recognition and Justice. Outline of a Plural Theory of Justice, in Acta Sociologica, 2004, Vol. 47(4): 351-364
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Zhok, A., Il dovere e il piacere. Un'introduzione critica all'etica contemporanea, Mimesis, Milano, 2021.
· Sandel, M. J., Giustizia. Il nostro bene comune, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2020.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Honneth, A., Riconoscimento. Storia di un'idea europea, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2019
· Honneth, A., Recognition and Justice. Outline of a Plural Theory of Justice, in Acta Sociologica, 2004, Vol. 47(4): 351-364
+
Sandel, M., Liberalism and the limits of justice, Cambridge University Press 1982.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test on the topics discussed over the course. The students that have not attended to the lectures will be required to study further texts, which are specified below. There is not any other difference in the way the exam is to be tackled between attending and not-attending students.
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) Ability to select the salient aspects of each debate and to connect them in a critical framework.
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) Ability to select the salient aspects of each debate and to connect them in a critical framework.
Professor(s)