Theoretical Philosophy
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course has the goal to discuss in depth problems in the general area of theoretical philosophy, focusing not just on the different forms of human experience, on the theories of mind, on the origin and structure of notions, stressing the connections with other disciplines, both scientific (psychology, biology, etc) and not (literature, visual arts) ‒ thereby helping students to develop their analytical skills and recognize the connections between philosophical research and the world of culture in general.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student:
- knows the theoretical fundamentals of contemporary philosophy and understands its vocabulary;
- understands the nature of philosophical problems;
- understands the nature and strength of philosophical arguments;
- knows the basic methodological elements of intellectual work in the field of theoretical philosophy,
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student:
- can put forward and outline the main conceptual contributions of theoretical philosophy
- is able to identify philosophical topics and problems in philosophical and non-philosophical contexts;
- can frame the key authors and related themes in a historical and contemporary perspective ù
- is able to support her /his claims with arguments;
- can approach general issues by adopting the appropriate methodological perspectives and discuss the
arguments of various authors making use of an adequate lexicon.
- can apply knowledge for the purpose of making comments to the texts pertaining to the discipline.
At the end of the study path, the student:
- knows the theoretical fundamentals of contemporary philosophy and understands its vocabulary;
- understands the nature of philosophical problems;
- understands the nature and strength of philosophical arguments;
- knows the basic methodological elements of intellectual work in the field of theoretical philosophy,
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student:
- can put forward and outline the main conceptual contributions of theoretical philosophy
- is able to identify philosophical topics and problems in philosophical and non-philosophical contexts;
- can frame the key authors and related themes in a historical and contemporary perspective ù
- is able to support her /his claims with arguments;
- can approach general issues by adopting the appropriate methodological perspectives and discuss the
arguments of various authors making use of an adequate lexicon.
- can apply knowledge for the purpose of making comments to the texts pertaining to the discipline.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The course in theoretical philosophy aims to initiate in-depth reflection on themes and problems that have particular relevance in contemporary debate. In doing so, it has a twofold objective: on the one hand, it intends to deepen the students' knowledge of certain aspects of contemporary debate; on the other hand, it intends to show in the midst of concrete exemplification what the forms and methods of philosophical argumentation are.
The lessons will be streamed if necessary. Recordings will be available on the course team (Theoretical Philosophy (Spinicci) LT 2025-26) at this address: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3A4ddOmq2DmCwox-pUcbhJxADwUOJJ51cELu_lLIdGWTY1%40thread. tacv2/conversations?groupId=857d2085-2a06-4832-8958-a23593f3633f&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
The team code is: pzxg03a
The lessons will be streamed if necessary. Recordings will be available on the course team (Theoretical Philosophy (Spinicci) LT 2025-26) at this address: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3A4ddOmq2DmCwox-pUcbhJxADwUOJJ51cELu_lLIdGWTY1%40thread. tacv2/conversations?groupId=857d2085-2a06-4832-8958-a23593f3633f&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
The team code is: pzxg03a
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
Problems in the philosophy of perception
The part common to programs 6 and 9 (6 credits) will focus on the object of perception and the relationship between perception and concept, based on the following texts:
· P. Spinicci, Rappresentazionalismo, fenomenismo, realismo diretto, MUP, Milano 2025
· L. Wittgenstein, Ricerche filosofiche, Einaudi, Torino, 2021, II, § 11;
The additional part for the 9-credit program will focus on forms of non-visual sensory perception and the reading of a text chosen from the following:
· D. Katz, The world of touch, Psychology Press, 2016;
· A. Keller, D. Young, Theoretical perspective on smell, Routledge, London, 2024
· E. Di Bona, V. Santarcangelo, Il suono. L'esperienza uditiva e i suoi oggetti, Cortina, Milano 2018
The recording of the lectures is available on the Theoretical Philosophy 2025-26 team and is an integral part of the program. There is therefore no difference in the program between attending and non-attending students.
The part common to programs 6 and 9 (6 credits) will focus on the object of perception and the relationship between perception and concept, based on the following texts:
· P. Spinicci, Rappresentazionalismo, fenomenismo, realismo diretto, MUP, Milano 2025
· L. Wittgenstein, Ricerche filosofiche, Einaudi, Torino, 2021, II, § 11;
The additional part for the 9-credit program will focus on forms of non-visual sensory perception and the reading of a text chosen from the following:
· D. Katz, The world of touch, Psychology Press, 2016;
· A. Keller, D. Young, Theoretical perspective on smell, Routledge, London, 2024
· E. Di Bona, V. Santarcangelo, Il suono. L'esperienza uditiva e i suoi oggetti, Cortina, Milano 2018
The recording of the lectures is available on the Theoretical Philosophy 2025-26 team and is an integral part of the program. There is therefore no difference in the program between attending and non-attending students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Both for attending and non-attending students, the final examination consists of an oral exam of about 25-30 minutes, divided into two equal parts. The first part has to test the knowledge and the understanding of the program., where the second part has to text the ability to analyze and discuss short quotes from the readings of the examination program.
Attending students can submit a short paper (about 5000 words) on topics related to the class. The clarity in the exposition and the solidity in argumentative construction will be taken in account for evaluating the paper. Essays will not receive an autonomous mark. They will be discussed during the oral examination and they will contribute to the definition of the final grade.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- ability to apply concepts (development);
- linguistic skills
Attending students can submit a short paper (about 5000 words) on topics related to the class. The clarity in the exposition and the solidity in argumentative construction will be taken in account for evaluating the paper. Essays will not receive an autonomous mark. They will be discussed during the oral examination and they will contribute to the definition of the final grade.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- ability to apply concepts (development);
- linguistic skills
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)