History of Classical German Philosophy
A.Y. 2023/2024
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The class shall examine the relationship between ethics and right in Kant's, Fichte's and Hegel's main works. The focus will be on their different views on the dependence, independence or complementarity of the two spheres of practical normativity.
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:
Kant, "Metaphysics of Morals" (1797): Preface, Introduction to the Metaphysics of Morals, Introduction to the Doctrine of Right (with the Appendix), Subdivision of the Doctrine of Right, Subdivision of the Metaphysics of Morals in General, Introduction to the Doctrine of Virtue. Reference edition: in Kant, "Practical Philosophy" (Cambridge University Press).
Fichte, "Foundations of Natural Right" (1796): Introduction; §§ 7-12. Reference edition: edited by F. Neuhouser (Cambridge University Press).
Fichte, "System of Ethics" (1798), § 18. Reference edition: edited by D. Breazeale and G. Zöller (Cambridge University Press).
P. Guyer, "Kant's Deductions of the Principles of Right", in M. Timmons (ed.), Kant's Metaphysics of Morals: Interpretative Essays, Clarendon Press, 2002, 23-64.
M. Willaschek, "Right and Coercion: Can Kant's Conception of Right Be Derived from His Moral Theory?", in International Journal of Philosophical Studies, 17 (2009) 49-70.
S. Bacin, "'Only One Obligation': Kant on the Distinction and the Normative Continuity of Ethics and Right", Studi kantiani 29 (2016), 77-90.
F. Neuhouser, "Fichte's Separation of Right from Morality", in G. Gottlieb (ed.), Fichte's Foundations of Natural Right: A Critical Guide, Cambridge University Press, 2016, 32-51.
L. Fonnesu, "Ethics as Theory of Society: Morality and Ethical Life in Fichte's System of Ethics", in S. Bacin, O. Ware (eds.), Fichte's System of Ethics: A Critical Guide, Cambridge University Press, 2021, 178-200
For 9 cfu the following additional titles are also mandatory:
Hegel, "Elements of the Philosophy of Right" (1820): Preface; §§ 29-33 (from Introduction), §§ 34-40 e §§ 82-104 (from Abstract Right), §§ 129-141 (from Morality) and §§ 142-157 (from Ethical Life). Reference edition: edited by A. Wood (Cambridge University Press).
A. W. Wood, "Hegel's Critique of Morality", in L. Siep (ed.), G. W. F. Hegel - Grundlinien der Philosophie des Rechts, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, 147-166 (online: https://doi-org.pros2.lib.unimi.it/10.1524/9783050093536.147)
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.
Kant, "Metaphysics of Morals" (1797): Preface, Introduction to the Metaphysics of Morals, Introduction to the Doctrine of Right (with the Appendix), Subdivision of the Doctrine of Right, Subdivision of the Metaphysics of Morals in General, Introduction to the Doctrine of Virtue. Reference edition: in Kant, "Practical Philosophy" (Cambridge University Press).
Fichte, "Foundations of Natural Right" (1796): Introduction; §§ 7-12. Reference edition: edited by F. Neuhouser (Cambridge University Press).
Fichte, "System of Ethics" (1798), § 18. Reference edition: edited by D. Breazeale and G. Zöller (Cambridge University Press).
P. Guyer, "Kant's Deductions of the Principles of Right", in M. Timmons (ed.), Kant's Metaphysics of Morals: Interpretative Essays, Clarendon Press, 2002, 23-64.
M. Willaschek, "Right and Coercion: Can Kant's Conception of Right Be Derived from His Moral Theory?", in International Journal of Philosophical Studies, 17 (2009) 49-70.
S. Bacin, "'Only One Obligation': Kant on the Distinction and the Normative Continuity of Ethics and Right", Studi kantiani 29 (2016), 77-90.
F. Neuhouser, "Fichte's Separation of Right from Morality", in G. Gottlieb (ed.), Fichte's Foundations of Natural Right: A Critical Guide, Cambridge University Press, 2016, 32-51.
L. Fonnesu, "Ethics as Theory of Society: Morality and Ethical Life in Fichte's System of Ethics", in S. Bacin, O. Ware (eds.), Fichte's System of Ethics: A Critical Guide, Cambridge University Press, 2021, 178-200
For 9 cfu the following additional titles are also mandatory:
Hegel, "Elements of the Philosophy of Right" (1820): Preface; §§ 29-33 (from Introduction), §§ 34-40 e §§ 82-104 (from Abstract Right), §§ 129-141 (from Morality) and §§ 142-157 (from Ethical Life). Reference edition: edited by A. Wood (Cambridge University Press).
A. W. Wood, "Hegel's Critique of Morality", in L. Siep (ed.), G. W. F. Hegel - Grundlinien der Philosophie des Rechts, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, 147-166 (online: https://doi-org.pros2.lib.unimi.it/10.1524/9783050093536.147)
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 ten 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 ten working days before the date of the exam* in order to enlist for the oral exam.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)