Descriptive Phenomenology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims at an in-depth discussion of issues in the general area of theoretical philosophy, discussing also their relationship with other subjects. The problems discussed have to do with the nature of perception, memory, imagination, and the relationship between them.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
- In-depth knowledge of problems in philosophy of mind, as well as ability to critically evaluate the results studied.
- Development of a better familiarity with the research methods in the area of theoretical philosophy; special attention is devoted to opportunities to employ ideas and concepts from other disciplines.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
- Ability to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired, also outside the specific area of the course and also outside philosophy.
- Ability to critically assess the methods employed in philosophical research and apply them to new problems.
- In-depth knowledge of problems in philosophy of mind, as well as ability to critically evaluate the results studied.
- Development of a better familiarity with the research methods in the area of theoretical philosophy; special attention is devoted to opportunities to employ ideas and concepts from other disciplines.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
- Ability to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired, also outside the specific area of the course and also outside philosophy.
- Ability to critically assess the methods employed in philosophical research and apply them to new problems.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course intends to address the concept of point of view, first from the perspective of a general philosophical reflection, then analysing the concept of point of view on the figurative and narrative terrain. In the last 20 hours, the course will take seminar form: groups will be formed and articles and essays will be discussed.
Lectures will be shared via streaming, if necessary. Recordings will be available on the course team (Descriptive Phenomenology (LM - Spinicci) 2023-24) at this address: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a7sMOuIScBs47sVlF3BTKRhTxv87Fzc-GcjbATq04juA1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=02844028-473b-43b3-b4a5-51832e2fc0ed&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
The team code is: 4bbd6jb
All necessary information relevant to the course will be given on the course team.
Lectures will be shared via streaming, if necessary. Recordings will be available on the course team (Descriptive Phenomenology (LM - Spinicci) 2023-24) at this address: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a7sMOuIScBs47sVlF3BTKRhTxv87Fzc-GcjbATq04juA1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=02844028-473b-43b3-b4a5-51832e2fc0ed&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
The team code is: 4bbd6jb
All necessary information relevant to the course will be given on the course team.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of Phenomenology and Philosophy of Mind
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
The final examination programme involves reading the following texts:
Part common to the 6 and 9 cfu syllabus:
1) T. Nagel, The View from Nowhere, OUP, Oxford, 1986, pp. 3-109; 208-231 (chapters 1-6 and ch. 11). (You may also use the Italian translation: T. Nagel, Lo sguardo da nessun luogo, Mimesis, Milan 2018 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11);
2) One of the following groups of texts (a or b or c):
(a) The Cartesian Meditations
(i) R. Descartes, Metaphysical Meditations, any edition
(ii) G. Hatfield, The Cartesian Circle, in The Blackwell Guide to Descartes' Meditations, ed. By S. Gaukroger, Blackwell, London, 2006;
b) The primary and secondary qualities
i) J. Locke, Essay on Human Intelligence, Laterza, Roma Bari 2011, book II, chapters 1-12;
(ii) C. McGinn, The subjective view, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1983;
c) The existential dimension
i) M. Heidegger, Being and Time, any edition, sec. II, ch. 1, §§46-53;
(ii) W. Large, Heidegger's Being and Time, Edinburgh Philosophical Guides Series, Edinburgh University Press, 2008;
Additional part for the 9 cfu programme:
One text of your choice from the following:
- P. Spinicci, Simile alle ombre e al sogno, Bollati boringhieri, Torino 2008
- G. Currie, Narratives and Narrators, OUP, Oxford 2011
- New perspectives on narrative perspective, edited by Willie van Peer and Seymour Chatman, Albany, 2001;
The lectures, available on the course team, are an integral part of the examination program. Those who have attended may bring a paper of approximately 20,000 characters with spaces: in this case, the examination will be conducted according to the procedures indicated in the course.
Part common to the 6 and 9 cfu syllabus:
1) T. Nagel, The View from Nowhere, OUP, Oxford, 1986, pp. 3-109; 208-231 (chapters 1-6 and ch. 11). (You may also use the Italian translation: T. Nagel, Lo sguardo da nessun luogo, Mimesis, Milan 2018 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11);
2) One of the following groups of texts (a or b or c):
(a) The Cartesian Meditations
(i) R. Descartes, Metaphysical Meditations, any edition
(ii) G. Hatfield, The Cartesian Circle, in The Blackwell Guide to Descartes' Meditations, ed. By S. Gaukroger, Blackwell, London, 2006;
b) The primary and secondary qualities
i) J. Locke, Essay on Human Intelligence, Laterza, Roma Bari 2011, book II, chapters 1-12;
(ii) C. McGinn, The subjective view, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1983;
c) The existential dimension
i) M. Heidegger, Being and Time, any edition, sec. II, ch. 1, §§46-53;
(ii) W. Large, Heidegger's Being and Time, Edinburgh Philosophical Guides Series, Edinburgh University Press, 2008;
Additional part for the 9 cfu programme:
One text of your choice from the following:
- P. Spinicci, Simile alle ombre e al sogno, Bollati boringhieri, Torino 2008
- G. Currie, Narratives and Narrators, OUP, Oxford 2011
- New perspectives on narrative perspective, edited by Willie van Peer and Seymour Chatman, Albany, 2001;
The lectures, available on the course team, are an integral part of the examination program. Those who have attended may bring a paper of approximately 20,000 characters with spaces: in this case, the examination will be conducted according to the procedures indicated in the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination is oral, for both attending and non-attending students, and consists of two parts of approximately 15 minutes each: the first part ascertains the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the proposed readings, the second part ascertains the ability to analyse and discuss one or more passages from the texts in the syllabus. An optional midterm examination is scheduled.
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Spinicci Paolo
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)