Mind and reality
A.A. 2023/2024
Obiettivi formativi
The course aims at an in-depth discussion of methods, problems and applications of the general area of theoretical philosophy, including metaphysics and ontology, stressing the connections with other disciplines (such as anthropology, psychology, sociology, and others) and helping students to develop their analytical skills and recognize the connections between philosophical research and the current cultural context.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
Knowledge and understanding
Development of a better familiarity with the nature and strength of philosophical arguments and the research methods in the area of theoretical philosophy; special attention is devoted to opportunities to employ ideas and concepts from other disciplines.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The learning outcome entails the capacity to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired during the course, not only within the specific domain of philosophy, but also in broader contexts. It also involves the ability to evaluate critically the methodologies employed in philosophical research and to apply them effectively to novel problems.
Development of a better familiarity with the nature and strength of philosophical arguments and the research methods in the area of theoretical philosophy; special attention is devoted to opportunities to employ ideas and concepts from other disciplines.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The learning outcome entails the capacity to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired during the course, not only within the specific domain of philosophy, but also in broader contexts. It also involves the ability to evaluate critically the methodologies employed in philosophical research and to apply them effectively to novel problems.
Periodo: Secondo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Secondo semestre
Programma
CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS AND ONTOLOGICAL RELATIVITY
A recent and promising innovative approach in contemporary ontology is an improved accounting of the general categories that we use in framing our understanding of "reality", including the often hidden metaphysical and background presuppositions of taxonomies and categorizations in our sciences and practices.
We will examine the potential of ontological relativity, through conceptual analysis and conceptual engineering, as a framework for shedding light on various forms of addressing the notion of "reality". The notion of ontological relativity draws attention to the ways in which our understanding of reality is shaped by power dynamics and cultural contexts. For example, certain groups may be excluded from the cultural approach we judge appropriate for certain contexts and thus their perspectives may not be fully represented in our understanding of reality and existence, because they lack the proper set of concepts and the proper toolbox of categories. Conceptual analysis can raise awareness and promote interventions. Similarly, the dominant cultural framework may shape the way in which we understand certain notions or phenomena, leading to a distorted or incomplete understanding of reality in specific contexts, depriving ourselves of additional perspectives.
A recent and promising innovative approach in contemporary ontology is an improved accounting of the general categories that we use in framing our understanding of "reality", including the often hidden metaphysical and background presuppositions of taxonomies and categorizations in our sciences and practices.
We will examine the potential of ontological relativity, through conceptual analysis and conceptual engineering, as a framework for shedding light on various forms of addressing the notion of "reality". The notion of ontological relativity draws attention to the ways in which our understanding of reality is shaped by power dynamics and cultural contexts. For example, certain groups may be excluded from the cultural approach we judge appropriate for certain contexts and thus their perspectives may not be fully represented in our understanding of reality and existence, because they lack the proper set of concepts and the proper toolbox of categories. Conceptual analysis can raise awareness and promote interventions. Similarly, the dominant cultural framework may shape the way in which we understand certain notions or phenomena, leading to a distorted or incomplete understanding of reality in specific contexts, depriving ourselves of additional perspectives.
Prerequisiti
English proficiency B2 (3 ECTS)
Metodi didattici
Lectures.
Debate and discussions.
Students will also be required to deliver presentations on topics related to the program, or on specific areas covered in the program, which will be included as part of their final evaluation.
Debate and discussions.
Students will also be required to deliver presentations on topics related to the program, or on specific areas covered in the program, which will be included as part of their final evaluation.
Materiale di riferimento
COMMON BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE 6 AND 9 CFU EXAM:
· R. Carnap, "Empiricism, Semantics and Ontology", in R. Carnap, Meaning and Necessity: A Study in Semantics and Modal Logic, Chicago University Press, 19562, pp. 205-221
· W.V. Quine, "On What There Is" e "Two Dogmas of Empiricism", in W.V. Quine, From a Logical Point of View Nine Logico-Philosophical Essays, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Mass) 1953; 2d, revised ed., 1961 e 1980
· K. Fine, "The Question of Ontology", in Meta-metaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, edited by D. Chalmers, D. Manley, and R. Wasserman, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009, pp. 157-177.
· Valore, P. 2016. "The Task and Scope of Ontology" + "Ontological Categories" + "The Nature of Existence", in Fundamentals of Ontological Commitment, Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE 9 CFU EXAM:
· Haslanger, S. 2012, "Ontology and Social Construction" + "What Good Are Our Intuitions? Philosophical Analysis and Social Kinds", in Resisting Reality. Social Construction and Social Critique, Oxford: Oxford University Press 2012
· P. Heuer-B. Hennig, "The Classification of Living Beings", in K. Munn-B. Smith, Applied Ontology. An Introduction, Ontos Verlag, Frankfurt 2008, pp. 197-218
· P. Valore, "Natural Kinds, Similarity, and Individual Cases: Ontological Presuppositions and Ethical Implications", in Psychological, Emotional, Social and Cognitive Aspects of Implantable Cardiac Devices , a cura di R. Proietti, G.M. Manzoni, G. Pietrabissa, G. Castelnuovo, Springer Nature, Dordrecht 2017, pp. 261-269.
· R. Carnap, "Empiricism, Semantics and Ontology", in R. Carnap, Meaning and Necessity: A Study in Semantics and Modal Logic, Chicago University Press, 19562, pp. 205-221
· W.V. Quine, "On What There Is" e "Two Dogmas of Empiricism", in W.V. Quine, From a Logical Point of View Nine Logico-Philosophical Essays, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Mass) 1953; 2d, revised ed., 1961 e 1980
· K. Fine, "The Question of Ontology", in Meta-metaphysics. New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, edited by D. Chalmers, D. Manley, and R. Wasserman, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009, pp. 157-177.
· Valore, P. 2016. "The Task and Scope of Ontology" + "Ontological Categories" + "The Nature of Existence", in Fundamentals of Ontological Commitment, Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE 9 CFU EXAM:
· Haslanger, S. 2012, "Ontology and Social Construction" + "What Good Are Our Intuitions? Philosophical Analysis and Social Kinds", in Resisting Reality. Social Construction and Social Critique, Oxford: Oxford University Press 2012
· P. Heuer-B. Hennig, "The Classification of Living Beings", in K. Munn-B. Smith, Applied Ontology. An Introduction, Ontos Verlag, Frankfurt 2008, pp. 197-218
· P. Valore, "Natural Kinds, Similarity, and Individual Cases: Ontological Presuppositions and Ethical Implications", in Psychological, Emotional, Social and Cognitive Aspects of Implantable Cardiac Devices , a cura di R. Proietti, G.M. Manzoni, G. Pietrabissa, G. Castelnuovo, Springer Nature, Dordrecht 2017, pp. 261-269.
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The oral exam consists of some questions on the common parts of the course and, in the case of 9 CFU exams, on the additional part. The exam is the same for attending and non-attending students and consists of an oral interview on the topics of the course, during which the candidate must demonstrate to master not only the contents but also, and above all, the argumentative styles of the contemporary philosophical debate, evaluating the arguments for and against and the costs and benefits of the individual theoretical proposals. Students will be evaluated for their ability to organize knowledge discursively and for their critical reasoning skills; The teacher will take into account the quality of the exposition, the correct use of the specialized lexicon, the linearity of the exposure. The final grade will be expressed in thirtieths. International or Erasmus students are invited to promptly contact the teacher of the course.
Students with SLD and/or disabilities must agree, as soon as possible, on the examination procedures with the teacher and the competent office, scrupulously following the procedures described at the following links (in the section Support for teaching and contact with the teachers - compensatory measures):
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-dsa
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-disabilita
Students with SLD and/or disabilities must agree, as soon as possible, on the examination procedures with the teacher and the competent office, scrupulously following the procedures described at the following links (in the section Support for teaching and contact with the teachers - compensatory measures):
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-dsa
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-disabilita
Siti didattici
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
Mercoledì a partire dalle ore 17:00
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