Key Texts in Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The main objectives of the course are the following: to consolidate knowledge of the main lines of the history of modern philosophy, from the 17th to the 20th century; to enhance knowledge of the philosophical vocabulary through a critical engagement with key works; to encourage the application of the knowledge acquired in the study of philosophical texts to the study of authors or problems that are different by era and style.
Expected learning outcomes
Anticipated Learning Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to
Identify salient moments in the history of modern philosophy, from the 17th to the 20th century.
Explain specific areas of the philosophical vocabulary, with special attention to how concepts and their meaning undergo a change over time.
Engage in a close and autonomous reading of one or more key texts in the philosophical discussion from the 17th to the 20th century.
Recognize and explain the main styles or forms of argumentation adopted in the texts studied in class.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Engage critically with a modern philosophical text.
Apply, in an autonomous way, the knowledge acquired in the study of early and late modern philosophy to the study of texts and authors that belongs to different eras.
Express clearly and effectively the main concepts and claims learned by studying a philosophical text
At the end of the course students will be able to
Identify salient moments in the history of modern philosophy, from the 17th to the 20th century.
Explain specific areas of the philosophical vocabulary, with special attention to how concepts and their meaning undergo a change over time.
Engage in a close and autonomous reading of one or more key texts in the philosophical discussion from the 17th to the 20th century.
Recognize and explain the main styles or forms of argumentation adopted in the texts studied in class.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Engage critically with a modern philosophical text.
Apply, in an autonomous way, the knowledge acquired in the study of early and late modern philosophy to the study of texts and authors that belongs to different eras.
Express clearly and effectively the main concepts and claims learned by studying a philosophical text
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 class shall be devoted to the examination of a key work in the history of modern philosophy, John Stuart Mill's "Utilitarianism" (1861). After presenting the philosophical context of the work, its connections with Mill's previous works and its aims, the class shall focus on a close reading of the text.
Prerequisites for admission
This exam is only open to students who have passed the exam of Storia della filosofia moderna I (History of Modern Philosophy I)
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, with PowerPoint presentations or commenting on the texts included in the class programme, along with discussion on the texts and the topics of the course.
Teaching Resources
Material requested for 9 cfu:
J.S. Mill, "Utilitarianism".
J.S. Mill, "On Liberty": chap. I (Introduction)
J. Bentham, "Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation": chaps. I, III, IV, V.
NB: All requested texts are included in: J.S. Mill, "Utilitarianism and, On Liberty : Including Mill's Essay on Bentham' and Selections from the Writings of Jeremy Bentham and John Austin". 2nd ed. London, Blackwell, 2003, also available online via Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991017175216206031
One of the following reader's guides:
R. Crisp, "Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Mill on Utilitarianism", London-New York, Routledge, 1997.
H.R. West, "Mill's Utilitarianism: A Reader's Guide". London, Continuum, 2007.
NB: The programme includes the texts given in the Powerpoint slides that are presented in class and will be available on the Moodle website of the class (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=135).
Material requested for 6 cfu:
J.S. Mill, "Utilitarianism": chaps I-III.
J.S. Mill, "On Liberty": chap. I (Introduction)
J. Bentham, "Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation": chaps. I, III, IV, V.
NB: All requested texts are included in: J.S. Mill, "Utilitarianism and, On Liberty : Including Mill's Essay on Bentham' and Selections from the Writings of Jeremy Bentham and John Austin". 2nd ed. London, Blackwell, 2003, also available online via Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991017175216206031
One of the following reader's guides:
R. Crisp, "Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Mill on Utilitarianism", London-New York, Routledge, 1997 (except for sects. 4 and 7).
H.R. West, "Mill's Utilitarianism: A Reader's Guide". London, Continuum, 2007 (except for the sections on the chaps. IV and V of "Utilitarianism").
NB: The programme includes the texts given in the Powerpoint slides that are presented in class and will be available on the Moodle website of the class (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=135).
J.S. Mill, "Utilitarianism".
J.S. Mill, "On Liberty": chap. I (Introduction)
J. Bentham, "Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation": chaps. I, III, IV, V.
NB: All requested texts are included in: J.S. Mill, "Utilitarianism and, On Liberty : Including Mill's Essay on Bentham' and Selections from the Writings of Jeremy Bentham and John Austin". 2nd ed. London, Blackwell, 2003, also available online via Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991017175216206031
One of the following reader's guides:
R. Crisp, "Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Mill on Utilitarianism", London-New York, Routledge, 1997.
H.R. West, "Mill's Utilitarianism: A Reader's Guide". London, Continuum, 2007.
NB: The programme includes the texts given in the Powerpoint slides that are presented in class and will be available on the Moodle website of the class (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=135).
Material requested for 6 cfu:
J.S. Mill, "Utilitarianism": chaps I-III.
J.S. Mill, "On Liberty": chap. I (Introduction)
J. Bentham, "Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation": chaps. I, III, IV, V.
NB: All requested texts are included in: J.S. Mill, "Utilitarianism and, On Liberty : Including Mill's Essay on Bentham' and Selections from the Writings of Jeremy Bentham and John Austin". 2nd ed. London, Blackwell, 2003, also available online via Unimi account: https://minerva.unimi.it/permalink/39UMI_INST/i9q3jt/alma991017175216206031
One of the following reader's guides:
R. Crisp, "Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Mill on Utilitarianism", London-New York, Routledge, 1997 (except for sects. 4 and 7).
H.R. West, "Mill's Utilitarianism: A Reader's Guide". London, Continuum, 2007 (except for the sections on the chaps. IV and V of "Utilitarianism").
NB: The programme includes the texts given in the Powerpoint slides that are presented in class and will be available on the Moodle website of the class (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=135).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of a written part and an oral exam.
The purpose of the oral exam will be to test the knowledge and skills acquired by the students in light of the activities and course topics. The oral exam will include a discussion of the written paper of the student.
The written part of the exam consists in a short paper (max. 8000 characters) commenting on a passage from the work examined in the class. The students shall e-mail their paper to the teacher *at least ten working days before the day of the oral exam*.
The purpose of the oral exam will be to test the knowledge and skills acquired by the students in light of the activities and course topics. The oral exam will include a discussion of the written paper of the student.
The written part of the exam consists in a short paper (max. 8000 characters) commenting on a passage from the work examined in the class. The students shall e-mail their paper to the teacher *at least ten working days before the day of the oral exam*.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)