Ontology

This course introduces students to the language and fundamental concepts of ontology, one of the core disciplines of philosophy concerned with the study of the basic structures of reality. It offers an initial overview of the technical vocabulary, conceptual tools, and main categories employed in ontological reflection. The course will also present the major theoretical approaches, including an introduction to the most recent developments in the debate.
Special attention will be given to the connections between ontology and other areas of philosophical inquiry, such as metaphysics, logic, and epistemology, as well as its intersections with the scientific disciplines. The aim is to provide students with a preliminary understanding of the cross-disciplinary role ontology plays in contemporary philosophical and interdisciplinary research.

Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- understand the basic vocabulary of ontology, with particular attention to its historical development and current uses;
- navigate the main goals and central topics of ontological inquiry;
- distinguish among different approaches and methods used in the study of ontology, understanding their general structure, theoretical assumptions, and practical implications.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- identify ontological dimensions implicit in philosophical problems and in other domains of knowledge;
- critically assess theoretical proposals by evaluating their internal coherence, explanatory power, and applicability;
- compare, even at an introductory level, different theoretical solutions to ontological problems, highlighting their advantages and limitations.