Philosophical Hermeneutics
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Students will acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in the field of theoretical philosophy, specifically in the area of philosophical hermeneutics. This discipline deals with philosophy understood as interpretation. It therefore aims to provide a critical understanding of the fundamental issues in the philosophy of interpretation. The teaching will focus on the influence that these developments have within contemporary philosophical discussion, to finally focus on the multiple legacies of philosophical hermeneutics, even outside its fields of origin (reflection on the tasks, methods and transmission of philosophy, analysis of signs, symbols and modes of experience). Alongside the reading of the classic authors of the philosophy of interpretation, paths of reflection will thus be proposed that enter the heart of the debates that animate research today. The course will focus on presenting the concepts and problems of specific hermeneutic areas of philosophical discussion, such as those pertinent to the status and method of philosophy, the philosophy of interpretation and the main contemporary debates related to it.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
Upon completion of the course of study, the student will be able to
- present the leading theoretical cores of contemporary philosophical-hermeneutical knowledge and understand its vocabulary;
- distinguish the specificity of the philosophical problems addressed in the various perspectives presented;
- evaluate the form and rigor of philosophical arguments;
- describe the basic methodological elements of intellectual work in the field of hermeneutic and theoretical philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course of study, the student
- will be able to restate and articulate the main conceptual contributions of theoretical-hermeneutic philosophy;
- will be able to identify the reasons and arguments of the main philosophical contributions addressed;
- will be able to identify philosophical themes and problems as they manifest themselves in the different spheres of knowledge and culture;
- will be able to approach general issues by adopting the appropriate methodological perspectives;
- will be able to argue his own theses;
- will be able to apply his/her knowledge for the purpose of elaborating commentaries on the reference texts of the discipline.
Upon completion of the course of study, the student will be able to
- present the leading theoretical cores of contemporary philosophical-hermeneutical knowledge and understand its vocabulary;
- distinguish the specificity of the philosophical problems addressed in the various perspectives presented;
- evaluate the form and rigor of philosophical arguments;
- describe the basic methodological elements of intellectual work in the field of hermeneutic and theoretical philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course of study, the student
- will be able to restate and articulate the main conceptual contributions of theoretical-hermeneutic philosophy;
- will be able to identify the reasons and arguments of the main philosophical contributions addressed;
- will be able to identify philosophical themes and problems as they manifest themselves in the different spheres of knowledge and culture;
- will be able to approach general issues by adopting the appropriate methodological perspectives;
- will be able to argue his own theses;
- will be able to apply his/her knowledge for the purpose of elaborating commentaries on the reference texts of the discipline.
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 be introductory to the more general topics of philosophy understood as a discipline of thought. It will therefore seek to answer the questions "What is philosophy?", "How is philosophical research practiced?", "Why choose philosophy?". To do this we will appeal to some great thinkers, both from the ancient period and contemporary. In the first teaching unit we will address Nietzsche's reading of the pre-Socratic period, and proceed to Plato's Seventh Letter, written after his journey to Syracuse and witnessing the political and pedagogical inspiration of Greek philosophical thought. We will also consider Michel Foucault's commentary on it in one of his last courses at the Collège de France. We will then place two contemporary philosophers - Lyotard and Ortega y Gasset - in dialogue about the broader issues of philosophical exercise. Finally, two texts edited by the course teacher, preparatory to understanding the main philosophical themes, will be presented.
Prerequisites for admission
None, unless required by the Philosophy Course general rules
Teaching methods
Lectures.
Discussions, debate and replies to questions.
Discussions, debate and replies to questions.
Teaching Resources
Program for attending students (9 ECT)
F. Nietzsche, La filosofia nell'epoca tragica dei Greci, in La filosofia nell'epoca tragica dei Greci, Adelphi, Milano (a cura di G. Colli, p. 135-224).
Platone, Settima Lettera (any edition, suggested ed. Bompiani, Milano a cura di G. Reale, or edizioni :duepunti, Palermo, 49 pp.).
M. Foucault, Il governo di sé e degli altri, Feltrinelli, Milano (da p.215 a p.248).
F. Lyotard, Perché la filosofia è necessaria, Cortina editore, Milano, 77pp.
J. Ortega y Gasset, Che cos'è la filosofia?, Orthotes, Napoli (we'll select just a few chapters, see on Ariel in 2026).
R. Fabbrichesi, Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, Einaudi, Torino, (pp. 3-36, 171-188)
R. Fabbrichesi ( ed.), Cosa si fa quando si fa filosofia?, Cortina editore, Milano (pp.107).
Program for attending students (6 ECT)
F. Nietzsche, La filosofia nell'epoca tragica dei Greci, in La filosofia nell'epoca tragica dei Greci, Adelphi, Milano (a cura di G. Colli, p. 135-224).
Platone, Settima Lettera ((any edition, suggested ed. Bompiani, Milano a cura di G. Reale, or edizioni :duepunti, Palermo, 49 pp.).
M. Foucault, Il governo di sé e degli altri, Feltrinelli, Milano (da p.215 a p.248).
J. Ortega y Gasset, Che cos'è la filosofia?, Orthotes, Napoli (we'll select just a few chapters, see on Ariel in 2026).
R. Fabbrichesi, Cosa si fa quando si fa filosofia?, Cortina editore, Milano (pp.107).
R. Fabbrichesi (ed.), Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, Einaudi, Torino, (pp. 3-36, 171-188)
Non attending students, both for 6 or 9 credits, will study entirely R. Fabbrichesi (ed.), Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, Einaudi, Torino.
F. Nietzsche, La filosofia nell'epoca tragica dei Greci, in La filosofia nell'epoca tragica dei Greci, Adelphi, Milano (a cura di G. Colli, p. 135-224).
Platone, Settima Lettera (any edition, suggested ed. Bompiani, Milano a cura di G. Reale, or edizioni :duepunti, Palermo, 49 pp.).
M. Foucault, Il governo di sé e degli altri, Feltrinelli, Milano (da p.215 a p.248).
F. Lyotard, Perché la filosofia è necessaria, Cortina editore, Milano, 77pp.
J. Ortega y Gasset, Che cos'è la filosofia?, Orthotes, Napoli (we'll select just a few chapters, see on Ariel in 2026).
R. Fabbrichesi, Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, Einaudi, Torino, (pp. 3-36, 171-188)
R. Fabbrichesi ( ed.), Cosa si fa quando si fa filosofia?, Cortina editore, Milano (pp.107).
Program for attending students (6 ECT)
F. Nietzsche, La filosofia nell'epoca tragica dei Greci, in La filosofia nell'epoca tragica dei Greci, Adelphi, Milano (a cura di G. Colli, p. 135-224).
Platone, Settima Lettera ((any edition, suggested ed. Bompiani, Milano a cura di G. Reale, or edizioni :duepunti, Palermo, 49 pp.).
M. Foucault, Il governo di sé e degli altri, Feltrinelli, Milano (da p.215 a p.248).
J. Ortega y Gasset, Che cos'è la filosofia?, Orthotes, Napoli (we'll select just a few chapters, see on Ariel in 2026).
R. Fabbrichesi, Cosa si fa quando si fa filosofia?, Cortina editore, Milano (pp.107).
R. Fabbrichesi (ed.), Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, Einaudi, Torino, (pp. 3-36, 171-188)
Non attending students, both for 6 or 9 credits, will study entirely R. Fabbrichesi (ed.), Il primo libro di filosofia teoretica, Einaudi, Torino.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Both for attending and non-attending students, the final examination consists of an oral exam of about 20 minutes, divided into two equal parts. The first part has to test the knowledge and the understanding of the program., whereas the second part has to test the ability to analyze and discuss short quotes from the readings of the examination program.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discussed during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- ability to apply concepts (development);
- linguistic skills
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discussed during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- ability to apply concepts (development);
- linguistic skills
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)