Aesthetics of Objects
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to outline a theoretical and historical phenomenology of how the concept of "aesthetic object" has been articulated in the modern world from the phenomenological tradition up to its postmodern determinations, which imply a progressive dissolution.
The course aims to give the student the appropriate general knowledge about the theoretical sense that the object has taken in different modern philosophical perspectives.
The course aims to give the student the appropriate general knowledge about the theoretical sense that the object has taken in different modern philosophical perspectives.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge:
The course aims to raise students' awareness of the concept of the "aesthetic object" considered in its theoretical dimensions and cultural impacts.
Skills:
Know how to critically read texts and acquire their contents; know how to recognize the different philosophical and interpretive perspectives; know how to express topics in an orderly fashion and with appropriate language. Understand the symbolic value of objects.
The course aims to raise students' awareness of the concept of the "aesthetic object" considered in its theoretical dimensions and cultural impacts.
Skills:
Know how to critically read texts and acquire their contents; know how to recognize the different philosophical and interpretive perspectives; know how to express topics in an orderly fashion and with appropriate language. Understand the symbolic value of objects.
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 is divided into three teaching units.
The first unit will present the main philosophical theories of memory and of the mnemonic object; the second unit will address the phenomenology of the monumental object and the memorial; the third unit will examine the philosophy of objecthood in several contemporary classics (Simmel, Bloch, Anders, Heidegger, Adorno).
The first unit will present the main philosophical theories of memory and of the mnemonic object; the second unit will address the phenomenology of the monumental object and the memorial; the third unit will examine the philosophy of objecthood in several contemporary classics (Simmel, Bloch, Anders, Heidegger, Adorno).
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary knowledge is requested
Teaching methods
Lectures; classroom discussion; use of powerpoint presentations; projection of audiovisual material
Teaching Resources
Attending students 6 ECTS
· P. Ricoeur, La memoria, la storia, l'oblio, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2003.
· A. Pinotti, Nonumento. Un paradosso della memoria, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023.
· Materiali disponibili sul sito MyAriel del Corso.
Non-attending students 6 ECTS
· P. Ricoeur, La memoria, la storia, l'oblio, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2003.
· A. Pinotti, Nonumento. Un paradosso della memoria, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023.
· L. Parola, Giù i monumenti? Una questione aperta, Einaudi, Torino 2022.
Attending students 9 ECTS
· P. Ricoeur, La memoria, la storia, l'oblio, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2003.
· A. Pinotti, Nonumento. Un paradosso della memoria, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023.
· G. Simmel, E. Bloch, G. Anders, M. Heidegger, Th. W. Adorno, La questione della brocca, Mimesis, Milano 2026.
· Materiali disponibili sul sito MyAriel del Corso.
Non-attending students 9 ECTS
· P. Ricoeur, La memoria, la storia, l'oblio, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2003.
· A. Pinotti, Nonumento. Un paradosso della memoria, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023.
· G. Simmel, E. Bloch, G. Anders, M. Heidegger, Th. W. Adorno, La questione della brocca, Mimesis, Milano 2026.
· L. Parola, Giù i monumenti? Una questione aperta, Einaudi, Torino 2022.
· P. Ricoeur, La memoria, la storia, l'oblio, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2003.
· A. Pinotti, Nonumento. Un paradosso della memoria, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023.
· Materiali disponibili sul sito MyAriel del Corso.
Non-attending students 6 ECTS
· P. Ricoeur, La memoria, la storia, l'oblio, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2003.
· A. Pinotti, Nonumento. Un paradosso della memoria, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023.
· L. Parola, Giù i monumenti? Una questione aperta, Einaudi, Torino 2022.
Attending students 9 ECTS
· P. Ricoeur, La memoria, la storia, l'oblio, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2003.
· A. Pinotti, Nonumento. Un paradosso della memoria, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023.
· G. Simmel, E. Bloch, G. Anders, M. Heidegger, Th. W. Adorno, La questione della brocca, Mimesis, Milano 2026.
· Materiali disponibili sul sito MyAriel del Corso.
Non-attending students 9 ECTS
· P. Ricoeur, La memoria, la storia, l'oblio, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2003.
· A. Pinotti, Nonumento. Un paradosso della memoria, Johan & Levi, Milano 2023.
· G. Simmel, E. Bloch, G. Anders, M. Heidegger, Th. W. Adorno, La questione della brocca, Mimesis, Milano 2026.
· L. Parola, Giù i monumenti? Una questione aperta, Einaudi, Torino 2022.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral test: oral examination, the outcome of which will be evaluated in thirtieths according to the following criteria
(a) ability to discursively organise acquired knowledge and competences;
(b) capacity for critical reasoning;
(c) quality of exposition;
d) competence in the use of specialist vocabulary.
(a) ability to discursively organise acquired knowledge and competences;
(b) capacity for critical reasoning;
(c) quality of exposition;
d) competence in the use of specialist vocabulary.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
PHIL-04/A - Aesthetics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
PHIL-04/A - Aesthetics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
In person and on-line (on TEAMS) office hours: please contact me via e-mail from @studenti.unimi.it
Dip. di Filosofia "Piero Martinetti", 2 floor