Key Texts in Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
A.Y. 2025/2026
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: 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 class shall be devoted to the examination of a key work in the history of modern philosophy, Immanuel Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" (1781, 1787), of which we will read parts of the main sections (especially "Transcendental Aesthetic", "Analytic", and "Dialectic"). After presenting the philosophical context of the work, its connections with Kant'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, along with discussion on the texts and the topics of the course.
Teaching Resources
Requested materials for 9 cfu:
I. Kant, "Critique of Pure Reason", transl. by P. Chiodi, UTET, Torino 2013 [1967]. Sections:
[1] "Prefation to the first edition" (A xvii-xxii, pp. 63-71);
[2] "Prefation to the second Edition" (B vii-xliv, pp. 39-61);
[3] "Introduction" (A1-16 B1-36, pp. 73-93);
[4] "Transcendental Aesthetic" (A19-49 B33-73, pp. 97-123);
[5] "Introduction to Transcendental Logic" (A50-64 B74-88, pp. 125-134);
[6] "Transcendental Analytic" (A64-92 B89-124, pp. 135-157; A148-A162 B187-202, pp. 196-205);
[7] "Transcendental Dialectic" (A293-642 B349-670, pp. 301-508);
[8] "Appendix to the Transcendental Dialectic" (A642-704 B670-732, pp. 508-544).
Kant I., "[Letter] To Markus Herz (21.02.1772)", in Kant I., "Epistolario filosofico 1761-1800", ed. by O. Meo, Il Melangolo, Genova 1990, pp. 64-75.
Kant I., "Dissertation on the Form and Principle of the Sensible and Intelligible World" (§§3-8 and 10-15, Corollary) in Kant I., "Dissertazioni latine", ed. by I. Agostini, Bompiani, Milano 2014, pp. 235-243 and 245-271 (Latin text excluded).
E. Cassirer, "Vita e dottrina di Kant", La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1977 (reprinted: Castelvecchi, Roma 2016), chapters II.V and III.
M. Kuehn, "Kant. Una biografia", Il Mulino, Bologna 2011, chapter 6.
Students who cannot attend class are encouraged to read also:
O'Shea J. (ed.), "Kant's Critique of Pure Reason: A Critical Guide", Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2017 (available online with UniMi account: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017328764906031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,kant%27s%20critique%20of%20pure%20r…)
P.S. Requested materials include PowerPoint slides.
I. Kant, "Critique of Pure Reason", transl. by P. Chiodi, UTET, Torino 2013 [1967]. Sections:
[1] "Prefation to the first edition" (A xvii-xxii, pp. 63-71);
[2] "Prefation to the second Edition" (B vii-xliv, pp. 39-61);
[3] "Introduction" (A1-16 B1-36, pp. 73-93);
[4] "Transcendental Aesthetic" (A19-49 B33-73, pp. 97-123);
[5] "Introduction to Transcendental Logic" (A50-64 B74-88, pp. 125-134);
[6] "Transcendental Analytic" (A64-92 B89-124, pp. 135-157; A148-A162 B187-202, pp. 196-205);
[7] "Transcendental Dialectic" (A293-642 B349-670, pp. 301-508);
[8] "Appendix to the Transcendental Dialectic" (A642-704 B670-732, pp. 508-544).
Kant I., "[Letter] To Markus Herz (21.02.1772)", in Kant I., "Epistolario filosofico 1761-1800", ed. by O. Meo, Il Melangolo, Genova 1990, pp. 64-75.
Kant I., "Dissertation on the Form and Principle of the Sensible and Intelligible World" (§§3-8 and 10-15, Corollary) in Kant I., "Dissertazioni latine", ed. by I. Agostini, Bompiani, Milano 2014, pp. 235-243 and 245-271 (Latin text excluded).
E. Cassirer, "Vita e dottrina di Kant", La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1977 (reprinted: Castelvecchi, Roma 2016), chapters II.V and III.
M. Kuehn, "Kant. Una biografia", Il Mulino, Bologna 2011, chapter 6.
Students who cannot attend class are encouraged to read also:
O'Shea J. (ed.), "Kant's Critique of Pure Reason: A Critical Guide", Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2017 (available online with UniMi account: https://unimi.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991017328764906031&context=L&vid=39UMI_INST:VU1&lang=it&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,kant%27s%20critique%20of%20pure%20r…)
P.S. Requested materials include PowerPoint slides.
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 (max 8.000 characters) of the student, which must be send *at least ten working days before the 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 (max 8.000 characters) of the student, which must be send *at least ten working days before the exam*
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Del Bianco David
Professor(s)