Philosophical Anthropology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Students will gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in an ongoing debate in the field of moral philosophy, with particular attention to the contemporary debate on human nature.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire:
· the ability to critically analyse the topics that have been developed;
· the ability to discuss and compare different philosophical positions and terminological apparatuses;
· the ability to independently reflect on complex and varied philosophical arguments;
· the ability to take their own position in a philosophical debate and to put forward arguments in support of it;
· the ability to effectively communicate the results of one's research, in written and oral form, and possibly also through multimedia techniques for representing information, with possible applications to teaching;
· the acquisition of relational, communicative and organizational skills even in highly complex contexts and in managing group work;
· the ability to transmit the skills obtained even in non-specialist contexts;
· an ability to critically reflect on one's own abilities and the evaluations obtained;
· skills in independently researching the philosophical sources of a debate or a school of thought;
· the ability to independently study a philosophical position or a theoretical thesis.
· the ability to critically analyse the topics that have been developed;
· the ability to discuss and compare different philosophical positions and terminological apparatuses;
· the ability to independently reflect on complex and varied philosophical arguments;
· the ability to take their own position in a philosophical debate and to put forward arguments in support of it;
· the ability to effectively communicate the results of one's research, in written and oral form, and possibly also through multimedia techniques for representing information, with possible applications to teaching;
· the acquisition of relational, communicative and organizational skills even in highly complex contexts and in managing group work;
· the ability to transmit the skills obtained even in non-specialist contexts;
· an ability to critically reflect on one's own abilities and the evaluations obtained;
· skills in independently researching the philosophical sources of a debate or a school of thought;
· the ability to independently study a philosophical position or a 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
The course will address contemporary axiological reflections in light of Friedrich Nietzsche's thought, with particular reference to the themes of nihilism, morality, the transvaluation of values, and the will to power. Each of these themes represented a crucial moment in the crisis of modernity, and even more so in the so-called "postmodernity."
Starting from Nietzsche's reflections, we will then attempt to propose an alternative reinterpretation of the "crisis of values" and a horizon of possible solutions to the enigmas that emerge from the analysis of Nietzsche's textuality. The methodology used in this section is phenomenological, and the themes examined will be, in particular, the question of life and health, temporality and intersubjectivity, in their axiological implications.
Starting from Nietzsche's reflections, we will then attempt to propose an alternative reinterpretation of the "crisis of values" and a horizon of possible solutions to the enigmas that emerge from the analysis of Nietzsche's textuality. The methodology used in this section is phenomenological, and the themes examined will be, in particular, the question of life and health, temporality and intersubjectivity, in their axiological implications.
Prerequisites for admission
The students are required to have a good acquaintance with the Western philosophical tradition, as it is provided by an Italian three-year philosophy degree.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Friedrich Nietzsche, La gaia scienza, Milano, Adelphi 1965 (selected passages).
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Genealogia della morale, Adelphi, Milano 1972.
· Andrea Zhok, Il senso dei valori, Milano, Mimesis, 2024
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Al di là del bene e del male, Adelphi, Milano 1972 (selected passages).
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Frammenti postumi 1887-1888, in Opere - Volume VIII. Tomo II, Adelphi, Milano 1971 (selected passages, which will be made available to all students in the "materials" on Ariel.)
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Friedrich Nietzsche, La gaia scienza, Milano, Adelphi 1965 (selected passages).
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Genealogia della morale, Adelphi, Milano 1972.
· Andrea Zhok, Il senso dei valori, Milano, Mimesis, 2024
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Al di là del bene e del male, Adelphi, Milano 1972 (selected passages).
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Frammenti postumi 1887-1888, in Opere - Volume VIII. Tomo II, Adelphi, Milano 1971 (selected passages, which will be made available to all students in the "materials" on Ariel.)
· One of the two texts, of your choice:
- Gianni Vattimo, Introduzione a Nietzsche, Bari, Laterza 1985.
- Mazzino Montinari, Che cosa ha detto Nietzsche, Milano, Adelphi 1999.
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Friedrich Nietzsche, La gaia scienza, Milano, Adelphi 1965 (selected passages).
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Genealogia della morale, Adelphi, Milano 1972.
· Andrea Zhok, Il senso dei valori, Milano, Mimesis, 2024
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Al di là del bene e del male, Adelphi, Milano 1972 (selected passages).
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Frammenti postumi 1887-1888, in Opere - Volume VIII. Tomo II, Adelphi, Milano 1971 (selected passages, which will be made available to all students in the "materials" on Ariel.)
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Friedrich Nietzsche, La gaia scienza, Milano, Adelphi 1965 (selected passages).
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Genealogia della morale, Adelphi, Milano 1972.
· Andrea Zhok, Il senso dei valori, Milano, Mimesis, 2024
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Al di là del bene e del male, Adelphi, Milano 1972 (selected passages).
· Friedrich Nietzsche, Frammenti postumi 1887-1888, in Opere - Volume VIII. Tomo II, Adelphi, Milano 1971 (selected passages, which will be made available to all students in the "materials" on Ariel.)
· One of the two texts, of your choice:
- Gianni Vattimo, Introduzione a Nietzsche, Bari, Laterza 1985.
- Mazzino Montinari, Che cosa ha detto Nietzsche, Milano, Adelphi 1999.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test on the topics discussed over the course. The students that have not attended to the lectures will be required to study further texts, which are specified below. There is not any other difference in the way the exam is to be tackled between attending and not-attending students.
General criteria that contribute to the determination of the final marks are:
1) Accuracy of the answers (adequacy to the textual matter);
2) Ability to provide a synthesis of the main conceptual issues;
3) Comprehensiveness and richness of the answers;
4) Expressive quality (terminological property, fluency, accuracy)
5) Ability to select the salient aspects of each debate and to connect them in a critical framework.
General criteria that contribute to the determination of the final marks are:
1) Accuracy of the answers (adequacy to the textual matter);
2) Ability to provide a synthesis of the main conceptual issues;
3) Comprehensiveness and richness of the answers;
4) Expressive quality (terminological property, fluency, accuracy)
5) Ability to select the salient aspects of each debate and to connect them in a critical framework.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-03/A - Moral Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
PHIL-03/A - Moral Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)