History of Metaphysics
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Students will gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in an ongoing debate in History of Metaphysics.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire the ability to:
- critically analyse arguments in History of Metaphysics;
- discuss and compare different philosophical positions in History of Metaphysics;
- reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses;
- take their own position in a philosophical debate and to put forward arguments in support of it;
- communicate the results of their research effectively, also using multimedia techniques to represent information with possible applications in teaching;
- use relational, communicative and organisational skills also in highly complex contexts and in the management of group work;
- transmit the skills obtained also in non-specialist contexts;
- reflect on their own skills and evaluations;
- autonomously research the philosophical sources of a debate or a school of thought;
- independently investigate a philosophical position or theoretical thesis.
- critically analyse arguments in History of Metaphysics;
- discuss and compare different philosophical positions in History of Metaphysics;
- reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses;
- take their own position in a philosophical debate and to put forward arguments in support of it;
- communicate the results of their research effectively, also using multimedia techniques to represent information with possible applications in teaching;
- use relational, communicative and organisational skills also in highly complex contexts and in the management of group work;
- transmit the skills obtained also in non-specialist contexts;
- reflect on their own skills and evaluations;
- autonomously research the philosophical sources of a debate or a school of thought;
- independently investigate a philosophical position or theoretical thesis.
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
FIGURES OF HUMAN TIME: AUGUSTINE, ROUSSEAU, BERGSON.
"It is not that it is impermissible to define 'time' as 'the movement of a created thing'; for in defining there is the greatest freedom. But, once this definition has been established, there will be two things that will be called by the name 'time': one is what everyone naturally understands by this word, and what all those who speak our language designate by this term; the other will be the movement of a created thing, since this too will be called by this term according to this new definition". So wrote Pascal in the mid-17th century, drawing a distinction between a common-sense, clear yet indefinable understanding of the idea of time, and a 'philosophical' understanding, defined as 'the measure of the movement of created things'.
The course aims to explore this distinction by analysing key figures in the history of metaphysics, from late antiquity to the 20th century. Augustine, Rousseau and Bergson propose three approaches to the problem of time, all driven by the desire to distinguish between the time of the world and human time, conceiving human temporality on the basis of the concepts of 'distensio animi' ('ecstasy of the soul'), 'existence' and 'duration'.
"It is not that it is impermissible to define 'time' as 'the movement of a created thing'; for in defining there is the greatest freedom. But, once this definition has been established, there will be two things that will be called by the name 'time': one is what everyone naturally understands by this word, and what all those who speak our language designate by this term; the other will be the movement of a created thing, since this too will be called by this term according to this new definition". So wrote Pascal in the mid-17th century, drawing a distinction between a common-sense, clear yet indefinable understanding of the idea of time, and a 'philosophical' understanding, defined as 'the measure of the movement of created things'.
The course aims to explore this distinction by analysing key figures in the history of metaphysics, from late antiquity to the 20th century. Augustine, Rousseau and Bergson propose three approaches to the problem of time, all driven by the desire to distinguish between the time of the world and human time, conceiving human temporality on the basis of the concepts of 'distensio animi' ('ecstasy of the soul'), 'existence' and 'duration'.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion.
Debate and discussion.
Teaching Resources
6 CFU course
Augustine, *Confessions*, Books X and XI (any available Italian translation, provided it is complete).
Rousseau, *Reveries of the Solitary Walker*, Milan, BUR, 1979 (reprinted several times, or any other Italian translation, provided it is complete).
9 CFU course
Bergson, An Essay on the Immediate Data of Consciousness.
A supplementary bibliography of compulsory reading (differentiated for the 6 CFU and 9 CFU courses and including guidance for non-attending students) will be provided at the start of the lectures and published on the course's Myariel page.
Augustine, *Confessions*, Books X and XI (any available Italian translation, provided it is complete).
Rousseau, *Reveries of the Solitary Walker*, Milan, BUR, 1979 (reprinted several times, or any other Italian translation, provided it is complete).
9 CFU course
Bergson, An Essay on the Immediate Data of Consciousness.
A supplementary bibliography of compulsory reading (differentiated for the 6 CFU and 9 CFU courses and including guidance for non-attending students) will be provided at the start of the lectures and published on the course's Myariel page.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam: The oral exam consists of a discussion of the course topics and the texts in the syllabus. During the semester, texts will be assigned to be commented on in class or as papers. In addition to the classroom presentations, students are required to write a paper of no more than 10,000 characters, including spaces, to be submitted to the lecturer no later than 10 days before the oral exam. The paper will be discussed during the oral exam.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-05/A - History of Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
PHIL-05/A - History of Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday from 15 to 18 p.m. Contact the professor to schedule an appointment.
Dipartimento di Filosofia, Cortile Ghiacciaia, Ist floor.