Philosophical Analysis
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Students will gain in-depth knowledge and expertise of the tools of philosophical analysis, as applied in disciplines like theoretical philosophy, philosophy of mind and language, metaphysics and philosophy of science.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire the ability to:
- critically analyse arguments;
- discuss and compare different philosophical positions;
- reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments, by using various tools of philosophical analysis;
- 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;
- discuss and compare different philosophical positions;
- reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments, by using various tools of philosophical analysis;
- 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: First semester
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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Course title: Philosophical analysis and the philosophy of time. Through the study of theories concerning the nature of time, the experience of time, and the role of the notion of time in science, students will learn the tools of philosophical analysis typical of metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language. and contemporary philosophy of science.
Prerequisites for admission
The course will be taught in English (Level B2)
Teaching methods
Synchronous lessons, discussion, and presentation in class by the attending students.
Teaching Resources
Compulsory texts.
For the first two modules:
(1) Ney A. (2014/2023 2nd. ed) Metaphysics. An Introduction. Routledge [2nd edition required]
(2) Forbes G. (2024) Philosophy of Time: The Basics, Routledge.
For the third module:
(3) selection from Emery N. (2026) The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Time, Routledge
Auxiliary texts (non-compulsory):
- Bardon A. (2013/2024 2nd. ed.) A Brief History of the Philosophy of Time, Oxford University Press
- Power S. E. (2021) Philosophy of Time. A Contemporary Introduction. Routledge
- R. Le Poidevin and M. MacBeath (1993) The Philosophy of Time. Oxford Readings in Philosophy. OUP
- M.J. Loux and D. Zimmerman (eds.), 2003, The Oxford Handbook of Metaphysics, OUP
In italian:
S. Iaquinto e G. Torrengo (2018) Filosofia del futuro. Un'introduzione. Milano, Raffaello Cortina
G. Torrengo (2011) I viaggi nel tempo. Una guida filosofica. Roma-Bari, Laterza
M. Carrara, C. De Florio, G. Lando, e V. Morato (2021) Introduzione alla metafisica, Bologna, Il Mulino]
(Details will be published soon in the virtual class)
For the first two modules:
(1) Ney A. (2014/2023 2nd. ed) Metaphysics. An Introduction. Routledge [2nd edition required]
(2) Forbes G. (2024) Philosophy of Time: The Basics, Routledge.
For the third module:
(3) selection from Emery N. (2026) The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Time, Routledge
Auxiliary texts (non-compulsory):
- Bardon A. (2013/2024 2nd. ed.) A Brief History of the Philosophy of Time, Oxford University Press
- Power S. E. (2021) Philosophy of Time. A Contemporary Introduction. Routledge
- R. Le Poidevin and M. MacBeath (1993) The Philosophy of Time. Oxford Readings in Philosophy. OUP
- M.J. Loux and D. Zimmerman (eds.), 2003, The Oxford Handbook of Metaphysics, OUP
In italian:
S. Iaquinto e G. Torrengo (2018) Filosofia del futuro. Un'introduzione. Milano, Raffaello Cortina
G. Torrengo (2011) I viaggi nel tempo. Una guida filosofica. Roma-Bari, Laterza
M. Carrara, C. De Florio, G. Lando, e V. Morato (2021) Introduzione alla metafisica, Bologna, Il Mulino]
(Details will be published soon in the virtual class)
Assessment methods and Criteria
For attending students: presentation of a text in class, to be organized in a small group (2-4 students) and discussion (40%). Do the weekly assignments during the second module (40%). Final oral (20%).
For non-attending students: oral exam.
For non-attending students: oral exam.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-04/B - Philosophy and Language theory - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
PHIL-04/B - Philosophy and Language theory - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)