Philosophy of Practices
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 disciplines, both scientific and not. Contemporary philosophical traditions will be dealt with, regarding the analysis of the founding practices of abstract thought, i.e. discursive, scientific, economical, scriptural and relate-to-habits-of-experience and way-of-life-practices.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
- In-depth knowledge of problems in genealogical, existentialist, and pragmatist thinking, and all the related fields of the philosophy of practices, as well as ability to critically evaluate the results studied and their eventual connection to specific moments of ancient and modern thought.
- 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 genealogical, existentialist, and pragmatist thinking, and all the related fields of the philosophy of practices, as well as ability to critically evaluate the results studied and their eventual connection to specific moments of ancient and modern thought.
- 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: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
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
A
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
In the present edition of the Philosophy of Practices course we aim to address themes and problems that arise from the reading of a classic text by Edmund Husserl, The Crisis of the European Sciences and Transcendental Phenomenology. The author reasons about the challenge that the sciences pose to philosophy, but also about their crisis and the consequent crisis of European humanity, which only a reasoned analysis and intellectual posture can attempt to overcome. From here we will proceed to the studies of two exponents of the so-called "Milan school" that characterized the life of our Department in the second half of the last century. They are Enzo Paci, a scholar of phenomenology, but also of existentialism and Marxism, and Carlo Sini, who, precisely from this phenomenological background, elaborated a particular perspective of philosophy of practices and still makes it the object of investigation in his theoretical practice.
Prerequisites for admission
None, unless required by the Philosophy Course general rules
Teaching methods
Lectures.
Discussions, debate and replies to questions.
Presentations in class
Discussions, debate and replies to questions.
Presentations in class
Teaching Resources
Program for attending students (9 ECT)
E. Husserl, La crisi delle scienze europee e la fenomenologia trascendentale, Il Saggiatore, Milano, Parte I, parte II, parte III-par. A, fino a p. 204.
E. Paci Funzione delle scienze e significato dell'uomo, Il Saggiatore, Parte I, Parte II, Parte III- parr. 19-23 (pp. 7-110, if unavailable look for it on Ariel).
E. Paci, Diario fenomenologico, Orthotes, Napoli, Milano.
C. Sini, Inizio, Jaca Book
I suggest the reading of C. Sini, Enzo Paci, Feltrinelli, Milano.
Program for attending students (6 ECT)
E. Husserl, La crisi delle scienze europee e la fenomenologia trascendentale, Il Saggiatore, Milano, Parte I, parte II, parte III-par. A, fino a p. 204.
E. Paci Funzione delle scienze e significato dell'uomo, Il Saggiatore, Parte I, Parte II, Parte III- parr. 19-23 (pp. 7-110, if unavailable look for it on Ariel).
E. Paci, Diario fenomenologico, Orthotes, Napoli, Milano.
Non attending students will add: C. Sini, Introduzione alla fenomenologia, ShaKe edizioni
E. Husserl, La crisi delle scienze europee e la fenomenologia trascendentale, Il Saggiatore, Milano, Parte I, parte II, parte III-par. A, fino a p. 204.
E. Paci Funzione delle scienze e significato dell'uomo, Il Saggiatore, Parte I, Parte II, Parte III- parr. 19-23 (pp. 7-110, if unavailable look for it on Ariel).
E. Paci, Diario fenomenologico, Orthotes, Napoli, Milano.
C. Sini, Inizio, Jaca Book
I suggest the reading of C. Sini, Enzo Paci, Feltrinelli, Milano.
Program for attending students (6 ECT)
E. Husserl, La crisi delle scienze europee e la fenomenologia trascendentale, Il Saggiatore, Milano, Parte I, parte II, parte III-par. A, fino a p. 204.
E. Paci Funzione delle scienze e significato dell'uomo, Il Saggiatore, Parte I, Parte II, Parte III- parr. 19-23 (pp. 7-110, if unavailable look for it on Ariel).
E. Paci, Diario fenomenologico, Orthotes, Napoli, Milano.
Non attending students will add: C. Sini, Introduzione alla fenomenologia, ShaKe edizioni
Assessment methods and Criteria
Both for attending and non-attending students, the final examination consists of an oral exam of about 30 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
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
B
Lesson period
Second semester
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)