History of Early Modern Philosophy I
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a solid basic knowledge of some of the most important concepts in the history of modern philosophy with special focus on the classics. Its educational goals are to enable participants to understand the historical and theoretical meaning of the main philosophical traditions in connection with other doctrines and cultural traditions.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- describe the pivotal periods of the history of modern philosophy
- recognize the fundamental lexicon of philosophy in its historical evolution through the key texts proposed
- identify the concepts and arguments used by the authors considered
- recognize the relative stability of the sources and how they have evolved in time
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- read philosophical classic texts
- apply the knowledge acquired in framing authors and discussion and texts historically
- apply the historical lexicon to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems
- apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of texts and problems
- explain the notions acquired in clear and concise terms
- compare texts at a basic level
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- describe the pivotal periods of the history of modern philosophy
- recognize the fundamental lexicon of philosophy in its historical evolution through the key texts proposed
- identify the concepts and arguments used by the authors considered
- recognize the relative stability of the sources and how they have evolved in time
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- read philosophical classic texts
- apply the knowledge acquired in framing authors and discussion and texts historically
- apply the historical lexicon to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems
- apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of texts and problems
- explain the notions acquired in clear and concise terms
- compare texts at a basic level
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
blended learning
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Substances, Subjects, Persons: The Problem of the Self in Modern Philosophy
One of the defining characteristics of modern philosophy is the emergence of the idea of the subject. While substance constitutes, in many ways, the center of gravity of ancient and medieval reflection, the ego assumes a similar function for early modern thinkers, from Montaigne to Kant. This transformation, which establishes subjectivity as a privileged theme of philosophical inquiry, raises a series of novel questions: must the self be reduced solely to its spiritual dimension (the mind), or does it also include the bodily dimension, and if so, on what grounds? Is the knowledge we have of ourselves different in kind from the knowledge we have of objects outside of us? Is the consciousness of ourselves and our actions sufficient to answer the question "who am I?"; and further: "what constitutes and allows us to recognize the identity of a person over time?". The course aims to retrace the answers that the major thinkers of early modern philosophy provided to these questions and to highlight their enduring relevance.
Knowledge of the general outlines of the history of modern philosophy will also be acquired through the study of the textbook.
One of the defining characteristics of modern philosophy is the emergence of the idea of the subject. While substance constitutes, in many ways, the center of gravity of ancient and medieval reflection, the ego assumes a similar function for early modern thinkers, from Montaigne to Kant. This transformation, which establishes subjectivity as a privileged theme of philosophical inquiry, raises a series of novel questions: must the self be reduced solely to its spiritual dimension (the mind), or does it also include the bodily dimension, and if so, on what grounds? Is the knowledge we have of ourselves different in kind from the knowledge we have of objects outside of us? Is the consciousness of ourselves and our actions sufficient to answer the question "who am I?"; and further: "what constitutes and allows us to recognize the identity of a person over time?". The course aims to retrace the answers that the major thinkers of early modern philosophy provided to these questions and to highlight their enduring relevance.
Knowledge of the general outlines of the history of modern philosophy will also be acquired through the study of the textbook.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites required
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, duscussions
Teaching Resources
Reference material
Common syllabus for 6 and 9 CFU:
* G. Cambiano, L. Fonnesu, M. Mori, (a cura di), La filosofia moderna. Il Seicento e il Settecento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2018.
* M. de Montaigne, passi scelti da Saggi, III, 2, "Del pentirsi" e III, 13 "Dell'esperienza", in Saggi, Milano, Bompiani, 2012.
* R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, a cura di S. Landucci, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1997 (e ristampe successive): Meditazione II (tutta) e VI (passi).
* J. Locke, Saggio sull'intelligenza umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998: libro II, capitolo 27 "Dell'identità e della diversità".
* G.W. Leibniz, Nuovi saggi sull'intelletto umano, libro II, cap. 27. Traduzione italiana in Leibniz, Scritti filosofici, Torino, UTET, 2000, vol. 2.
* D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, Libro I, parte IV, sezione VI "L'identità personale". Traduzione italiana in Hume, Opere filosofiche, I, Trattato sulla natura umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1987 (e ristampe successive).
Syllabus for 9 CFU:
in addition to the above:
* I. Kant, Critica della ragione pura, Milano, Bompiani, 2004: " Dei paralogismi della ragion pura" (ed. B), pp. 587-623.
NB: The excerpts of all the texts in the syllabus will be made available to students on the course's MyAriel website.
The texts of the slides or handouts commented on in class and made available by the professor on the course's MyAriel website are an integral part of the course syllabus.
Common syllabus for 6 and 9 CFU:
* G. Cambiano, L. Fonnesu, M. Mori, (a cura di), La filosofia moderna. Il Seicento e il Settecento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2018.
* M. de Montaigne, passi scelti da Saggi, III, 2, "Del pentirsi" e III, 13 "Dell'esperienza", in Saggi, Milano, Bompiani, 2012.
* R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, a cura di S. Landucci, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1997 (e ristampe successive): Meditazione II (tutta) e VI (passi).
* J. Locke, Saggio sull'intelligenza umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998: libro II, capitolo 27 "Dell'identità e della diversità".
* G.W. Leibniz, Nuovi saggi sull'intelletto umano, libro II, cap. 27. Traduzione italiana in Leibniz, Scritti filosofici, Torino, UTET, 2000, vol. 2.
* D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, Libro I, parte IV, sezione VI "L'identità personale". Traduzione italiana in Hume, Opere filosofiche, I, Trattato sulla natura umana, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1987 (e ristampe successive).
Syllabus for 9 CFU:
in addition to the above:
* I. Kant, Critica della ragione pura, Milano, Bompiani, 2004: " Dei paralogismi della ragion pura" (ed. B), pp. 587-623.
NB: The excerpts of all the texts in the syllabus will be made available to students on the course's MyAriel website.
The texts of the slides or handouts commented on in class and made available by the professor on the course's MyAriel website are an integral part of the course syllabus.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam with multiple-choice questions on the institutional part (modern history of philosophy textbook). Passing the written exam (a minimum of 21 correct answers out of 30 questions) is a requirement for admission to the oral part of the exam, which focuses on the contents of the monographic part of the course.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-05/A - History of Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte A e B
PHIL-05/A - History of Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Surname A-K
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The idea of the subject lies at the center of classical modern thought. More specifically, the 'ego' assumes a foundational role, together with the focus on self-knowledge. The course will illustrate some crucial passages in the related transformations in the concepts of thinking substance, human identity and personhood.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific condition is required in order to take this course.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, class discussions.
Teaching Resources
R. Descartes, from Metaphysical Meditations: Meditation 2, passages from Meditation 6.
J. Locke, Essay on the Human Understanding, Book II, Ch. 27.
G.W. Leibniz, New Essays on Human Understanding, Book II, Ch. 27.
D. Hume, Treaise on the Human Nature, Book I, Part 4, Sect. 6.
I. Kant, from the Critique of Pure Reason: The Paralogism of Pure Reason
G. W. leibniz, New Essays on HUman
J. Locke, Essay on the Human Understanding, Book II, Ch. 27.
G.W. Leibniz, New Essays on Human Understanding, Book II, Ch. 27.
D. Hume, Treaise on the Human Nature, Book I, Part 4, Sect. 6.
I. Kant, from the Critique of Pure Reason: The Paralogism of Pure Reason
G. W. leibniz, New Essays on HUman
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written texts wih closed questions on the contents of the general part of the program (handbook). To pass the written text (with at least 21 correct answers out of 30) is prelimary in order to be admitted to the oral exam, which beras on the contents of the monographic part of the program.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-05/A - History of Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte A e B
PHIL-05/A - History of Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Surname L-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Substances, subjects, individuals: the problem of the self in modern philosophy
One of the distinctive features of modern philosophy is the emergence of the idea of the subject. If substance constitutes, in many senses, the centre of gravity of ancient and medieval reflection, the ego assumes a similar function for the thinkers of early modernity, from Montaigne to Kant. This mutation that imposes subjectivity as the privileged theme of philosophical research raises a series of unprecedented questions: is the ego to be traced back to its spiritual dimension alone (the mind) or does it also include the bodily dimension, and if so, in what capacity? Is the knowledge we have of ourselves of a different kind from the knowledge we have of objects outside ourselves? And again: is the consciousness of ourselves and our acts sufficient to answer the question "who am I?". The course aims to retrace the answers that the major thinkers of early modernity gave to these questions and to underline their persistent topicality.
Knowledge of the general outlines of the history of modern philosophy will also be acquired through the study of a textbook, urging the student to independently apply the indications of method and knowledge acquired to the authors and problems presented in the reference text.
One of the distinctive features of modern philosophy is the emergence of the idea of the subject. If substance constitutes, in many senses, the centre of gravity of ancient and medieval reflection, the ego assumes a similar function for the thinkers of early modernity, from Montaigne to Kant. This mutation that imposes subjectivity as the privileged theme of philosophical research raises a series of unprecedented questions: is the ego to be traced back to its spiritual dimension alone (the mind) or does it also include the bodily dimension, and if so, in what capacity? Is the knowledge we have of ourselves of a different kind from the knowledge we have of objects outside ourselves? And again: is the consciousness of ourselves and our acts sufficient to answer the question "who am I?". The course aims to retrace the answers that the major thinkers of early modernity gave to these questions and to underline their persistent topicality.
Knowledge of the general outlines of the history of modern philosophy will also be acquired through the study of a textbook, urging the student to independently apply the indications of method and knowledge acquired to the authors and problems presented in the reference text.
Prerequisites for admission
Being a first-year examination, there are no specific prerequisites other than those required for admission to the degree course.
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures with the possibility of discussion.
Teaching Resources
Common course of 6 and 9 CFU:
- G. Cambiano, L. Fonnesu, M. Mori, (a cura di), La filosofia moderna. Il Seicento e il Settecento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2018.
- M. de Montaigne, Essays, II, 1, III, 2 and III, 13.
- R. Descartes, Metaphysical Meditations, II and VI.
- J. Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, book II, chap. 27.
- G.W. Leibniz, Les Nouveaux Essais sur l'entendement humain, book II, chap. 27.
9 CFU course:
- D. Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature, book I, part IV, section VI.
- I. Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, "Paralogisms of Reason".
NB: Extracts of all texts in the syllabus will be made available to students on the course's MyAriel site.
The texts of the slides or handouts commented in class and made available by the lecturer on the course's MyAriel site are an integral part of the course course.
For non-attenders:
In addition to the above (for both the 6 cfu course and the 9 cfu course):
E. Lecaldano, Identità personale. Storia e critica di un'idea, Rome, Carocci, 2021.
- Teaching proposal for non-attending students: 2 lessons dedicated to non-attending students in videoconference (Teams). The lectures will be recorded and made available in the online environment. The dates will be published in the course's MyAriel space.
- Validity of the course: 1 academic year, as per the teaching regulations of the degree course.
- G. Cambiano, L. Fonnesu, M. Mori, (a cura di), La filosofia moderna. Il Seicento e il Settecento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2018.
- M. de Montaigne, Essays, II, 1, III, 2 and III, 13.
- R. Descartes, Metaphysical Meditations, II and VI.
- J. Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, book II, chap. 27.
- G.W. Leibniz, Les Nouveaux Essais sur l'entendement humain, book II, chap. 27.
9 CFU course:
- D. Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature, book I, part IV, section VI.
- I. Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, "Paralogisms of Reason".
NB: Extracts of all texts in the syllabus will be made available to students on the course's MyAriel site.
The texts of the slides or handouts commented in class and made available by the lecturer on the course's MyAriel site are an integral part of the course course.
For non-attenders:
In addition to the above (for both the 6 cfu course and the 9 cfu course):
E. Lecaldano, Identità personale. Storia e critica di un'idea, Rome, Carocci, 2021.
- Teaching proposal for non-attending students: 2 lessons dedicated to non-attending students in videoconference (Teams). The lectures will be recorded and made available in the online environment. The dates will be published in the course's MyAriel space.
- Validity of the course: 1 academic year, as per the teaching regulations of the degree course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination includes a preliminary and compulsory written test aimed at verifying the general knowledge of the history of philosophy acquired during the course and autonomous study. No texts, textbooks or summaries may be used during the examination.
The oral examination will focus on understanding the texts in the syllabus and the problems and concepts developed in the course. Students will be assessed for their ability to discursively organise knowledge and for their ability to critically reason about the study carried out; the lecturer will take into account the quality of the exposition, the correct use of specialised vocabulary, and the linearity of the exposition. The final grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
The oral examination will focus on understanding the texts in the syllabus and the problems and concepts developed in the course. Students will be assessed for their ability to discursively organise knowledge and for their ability to critically reason about the study carried out; the lecturer will take into account the quality of the exposition, the correct use of specialised vocabulary, and the linearity of the exposition. The final grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-05/A - History of Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte A e B
PHIL-05/A - History of Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday 09.30a.m. - 12.30 a.m.
In the office and on Microsoft Teams, Team "Ricevimento SDB" . Access Code: ourk7ks
Reception:
Wednesday from 15 to 18 p.m. Contact the professor to schedule an appointment.
Dipartimento di Filosofia, Cortile Ghiacciaia, Ist floor.