History of Modern Philosophy (MA)
A.Y. 2023/2024
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
AN UNPREMEDITATED AND FORTUITOUS PHILOSOPHER: MONTAIGNE AND MODERN PHILOSOPHY
"I am not a philosopher", "I study myself more than any other subject. It is my metaphysics, it is my physics", "What my life was like, I did not learn until after it was already spent and employed. A new figure: an unpremeditated and fortuitous philosopher'. These few statements from the Essays would suffice to illustrate the paradox that Montaigne embodies. Since their appearance at the end of the 16th century, his Essays have won countless readers, and many of them are philosophers (Descartes, Descartes, Malebranche, Locke), who recognise in Montaigne a privileged interlocutor. However, it remains difficult to define Montaigne's position within the history of modern philosophy. The form chosen for his writing, asystematic and digressing, the theoretical option for scepticism, the decision to study first and foremost himself: all these characteristics seem to distinguish him, if not exclude him, from the common practices of the philosophy of his time. And yet it is from a close dialogue with ancient philosophy and his contemporaries that Montaigne builds his analyses. And on the other hand, on a careful reading, it is easy to realise that, despite the rhapsodic pace, the Essays address all the traditional disciplines of philosophical teaching: from logic to metaphysics, physics, ethics, politics and theology.
The course aims to provide an introduction to the figure and thought of Montaigne through a systematic reading of the Essays. Other texts will also be solicited, extracts of which will be provided during the lectures.
"I am not a philosopher", "I study myself more than any other subject. It is my metaphysics, it is my physics", "What my life was like, I did not learn until after it was already spent and employed. A new figure: an unpremeditated and fortuitous philosopher'. These few statements from the Essays would suffice to illustrate the paradox that Montaigne embodies. Since their appearance at the end of the 16th century, his Essays have won countless readers, and many of them are philosophers (Descartes, Descartes, Malebranche, Locke), who recognise in Montaigne a privileged interlocutor. However, it remains difficult to define Montaigne's position within the history of modern philosophy. The form chosen for his writing, asystematic and digressing, the theoretical option for scepticism, the decision to study first and foremost himself: all these characteristics seem to distinguish him, if not exclude him, from the common practices of the philosophy of his time. And yet it is from a close dialogue with ancient philosophy and his contemporaries that Montaigne builds his analyses. And on the other hand, on a careful reading, it is easy to realise that, despite the rhapsodic pace, the Essays address all the traditional disciplines of philosophical teaching: from logic to metaphysics, physics, ethics, politics and theology.
The course aims to provide an introduction to the figure and thought of Montaigne through a systematic reading of the Essays. Other texts will also be solicited, extracts of which will be provided during the lectures.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion.
Debate and discussion.
Teaching Resources
M. de Montaigne, Saggi, ed. with facing text by A. Tournon, tr. F. Garavini, Milan, Bompiani, 2012 (this translation was already published in Saggi, Milan, Adelphi, 1966 (and subsequent reprints), currently out of print.
A complementary bibliography of compulsory readings (differentiated for the 6CFU course and the 9CFU course) will be provided at the beginning of the course.
A complementary bibliography of compulsory readings (differentiated for the 6CFU course and the 9CFU course) will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination: The oral examination consists of an examination of the course topics and the texts in the syllabus. During the semester, texts will be assigned to be commented on in class or in written form in a paper of a maximum of 10 000 characters, including spaces. These oral and written presentations will contribute to the final assessment.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday from 15 to 18 p.m. Contact the professor to schedule an appointment.
Dipartimento di Filosofia, Cortile Ghiacciaia, Ist floor.