Learning objectives
The course syllabus has been designed to develop the conceptual analysis of the proposed topic with direct reference to the writings of the authors examined, including through readings and discussion. Conceptual analysis is aimed at clarifying the problem, the arguments offered and the conclusion developed by each author, with special attention given his interlocutors and critical debate of which he was part or gave rise to. The historical context in which each author developed his own views is constantly referred to.
Students in this advanced level course will learn to read a philosophy text critically and to compare the Italian translation with the original language text, focusing on vocabulary and those passages that are especially important for comprehending the thought of the writer.
Ability to access bibliographical documentation and keep abreast of current debate, including through regular consultation of philosophy journals.
Ability to prepare a short critical essay on a philosophical topic or a review of a critical work.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of main tendencies in the history of philosophy from the pre-Socratics to the first half of the 20th century.
Direct knowledge of a number of philosophy texts, for example one of Plato’s dialogues, one of the books of Metaphysics by Aristotle, the Discourse on Cartesian method, a work or part of a work by Kant.
Knowledge of one foreign language and at least some terms of the Greek and German philosophical lexicon.
Course unit content
Material a priori's concept in the V Logical Investigation of E. Husserl and the problem of the Life-world.
Full programme
The course aims to provide an introduction to the problem of the “material a priori”, one of the most important topics of the contemporary philosophy, and a connection between this topic and the problem of the Life-world in the V Logical Investigation of Edmund Husserl. The course pays attention to the distinction between sentiment and emotion in contemporary philosophy of mind with particular regard to the works of Antonio Damasio.
Bibliography:
E. Husserl, V Logical Investigation (1901, 1913).
A. Damasio, Looking for Spinoza. Emotions, sentiment and mind (2003).
Handbooks and Studies of History of Philosophy:
N. Abbagnano-G. Fornero, Protagonisti e Testi della Filosofia, Paravia, Torino 2000 e ristampe;
F. Cioffi e altri, diálogos, Paravia-Bruno Mondadori, Torino 2000 e ristampe.
V. Costa, Husserl, Carocci, Roma 2009
V. Costa, E. Franzini, P. Spinicci, La fenomenologia, Einaudi, Milano 2002.
R. Bernet, E. Mahrbach, I. Kern, Husserl, trad. it. a cura di C. La Rocca, il Mulino, Bologna 1992
R. Lanfredini, Husserl. La teoria dell’intenzionalità, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1994
R. Lanfredini (a cura di), A priori materiale. Uno studio fenomenologico, Guerini e Associati, Milano 2006
Bibliography
Husserl's V Logical Investigation (1901, 1913)
Teaching methods
Lectures and seminar sessions. Through detailed analysis of a major work in the history of thought – the translation of whose key passages are checked against the original text – students will become acquainted with a specific moment in the history of philosophy and the forms of conceptual analysis and argumentation used to take on a series of issues. During the seminars, students will present in-depth readings they have done on their own and will also plan a written work.
Assessment methods and criteria
The oral exam consists of an independently-prepared essay of the issues covered and discussion of this essay that will be submitted and corrected before the exam.
Other information
The type of issues covered in this course makes it possible each year to examine key moments in the history of thought of this period with special attention given to the fundamental moments in preceding historical periods.
Ability to comprehend the principal lines of argument of a philosophical text, including on the basis of lexical skills that make it possible to comprehend the relevance of given philosophical terms in given historical contexts.
Knowledge of the type of problems and the method of approaching them in philosophy in relation to precise historical and cultural contexts.
