Descriptive Phenomenology
A.Y. 2025/2026
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 will address several paradoxes related to the concept of narrative, including the paradox of fiction, the paradox of imaginative resistance, and the paradox of tragedy. Students will develop a meaningful initial understanding of narrative and its role in our culture and lives.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of Phenomenology and Philosophy of Mind
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
Final syllabus
Common component of the 6- and 9-credit programmes:
General section
P. Lamarque, Philosophy of Literature, Mimesis, Milan, 2024, Chapter V, pp. 285-345;
The Paradox of Fiction.
Three articles to be chosen from the following:
· R. Moran, "The Expression of Feeling in Imagination" in The Philosophical Imagination. Selected Essays, Oxford University Press, 2017; pp. 3-26;
· Kendall L. Walton, "Fearing Fictions", The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 75, No. 1 (Jan. 1978), pp. 5-27;
· D. Matravers, "The Paradox of Fiction. The Report versus the Perceptual Model", in Emotions and the Arts, edited by M. Hjort and S. Laver, Oxford University Press, 1997, pp. 78-94;
· C. Todd, "Attending Emotionally to Fiction", in Value Inquiry (2012) 46:449-465
The dilemma of "imaginative resistance":
Three articles of your choice from the following:
· B. Weatherson, "Morality, Fiction, and Possibility", in Philosophers' Imprint, Volume 4, No. 3. 2004, pp. 1-27;
· C. Todd, "Morality, and Fictional Truth: Dissolving the Puzzle of "Imaginative Resistance"", in Philosophical Studies, Vol. 143, No. 2 (Mar., 2009), pp. 187-211;
· K. Stock, "Resisting Imaginative Resistance", The Philosophical Quarterly, Vol. 55, pp. 607-624;
· S. Brock, "The Puzzle of Imaginative Failure", in The Philosophical Quarterly Vol. 62, No. 248, 2012, pp. 443-463.
Additional section for the 9-credit course:
The Paradox of Tragedy
J. Gilmore, Paradox of Tragedy, in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/paradox-of-tragedy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
The lectures, available online, form an integral part of the examination syllabus. The lectures can be accessed at this address:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3AKPPliTBLREuSyCM2KZeK21uzB_pkYi6bdfluu1wmfs01%40thread. tacv2/conversations?groupId=8ae77ee4-9a5f-4616-9383-73fef1fa6d7a&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
Course code: v9zyvet
Common component of the 6- and 9-credit programmes:
General section
P. Lamarque, Philosophy of Literature, Mimesis, Milan, 2024, Chapter V, pp. 285-345;
The Paradox of Fiction.
Three articles to be chosen from the following:
· R. Moran, "The Expression of Feeling in Imagination" in The Philosophical Imagination. Selected Essays, Oxford University Press, 2017; pp. 3-26;
· Kendall L. Walton, "Fearing Fictions", The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 75, No. 1 (Jan. 1978), pp. 5-27;
· D. Matravers, "The Paradox of Fiction. The Report versus the Perceptual Model", in Emotions and the Arts, edited by M. Hjort and S. Laver, Oxford University Press, 1997, pp. 78-94;
· C. Todd, "Attending Emotionally to Fiction", in Value Inquiry (2012) 46:449-465
The dilemma of "imaginative resistance":
Three articles of your choice from the following:
· B. Weatherson, "Morality, Fiction, and Possibility", in Philosophers' Imprint, Volume 4, No. 3. 2004, pp. 1-27;
· C. Todd, "Morality, and Fictional Truth: Dissolving the Puzzle of "Imaginative Resistance"", in Philosophical Studies, Vol. 143, No. 2 (Mar., 2009), pp. 187-211;
· K. Stock, "Resisting Imaginative Resistance", The Philosophical Quarterly, Vol. 55, pp. 607-624;
· S. Brock, "The Puzzle of Imaginative Failure", in The Philosophical Quarterly Vol. 62, No. 248, 2012, pp. 443-463.
Additional section for the 9-credit course:
The Paradox of Tragedy
J. Gilmore, Paradox of Tragedy, in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/paradox-of-tragedy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
The lectures, available online, form an integral part of the examination syllabus. The lectures can be accessed at this address:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3AKPPliTBLREuSyCM2KZeK21uzB_pkYi6bdfluu1wmfs01%40thread. tacv2/conversations?groupId=8ae77ee4-9a5f-4616-9383-73fef1fa6d7a&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
Course code: v9zyvet
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. A short written paper is recommended
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)