Learning objectives
The course purpose is twofold: (i) teach the philosophical and scientific thought and its connections with the historical, political and cultural contexts; (ii) provide students with the following skills: (a) understand and analyze the philosophical texts and apply a critical assessment to their different interpretations, (b) apply the methodologies and the techniques developed within the historical-philosophical tradition to the contemporary issues, (c) encourage the production of documented essays proving the achievement of a correct procedural technique.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The course is structured in three sections: (i) a general introduction dedicated to the issues and the fundamental problems of the history of philosophy from the modern age to the Enlightenment through the examination of contemporary historiographical debate that highlighted various methodological approaches (e.g. Enlightenment vs. enlightenments; philosophical movement drivers (national ideas vs. supranational ideas); diversity and specificity of each national movement; backgrounds and characters of the most significant theoretical contributions between seventeenth and eighteenth century); (ii) a specific part earmarked for the British Enlightenment philosophy dissertation; and (iii) a final part devoted to D. Hume’s philosophy.
Full programme
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Bibliography
a) M. Mori, Storia della filosofia moderna, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2009
b) Voci “Illuminismo” tratte dai principali Dizionari di Filosofia italiani e stranieri
c) D. Hume, passi tratti da Treatise of human nature and Natural History of Religion
d) R. Popkin, Storia dello scetticismo,Milano, B. Mondadori, 2008
Teaching methods
The course is structured in (i)general oulines to introduce the subject of the course, (ii) some seminars to discuss and commente on the texts cited in the program. The reports will be assigned to students who will find themselves in an autonomous and personal method on historiographical relevant themes. There will be provided contributions from other scholars to address philosophical problem in cross-disciplinary manner.
Assessment methods and criteria
To verify the competence acquired, a test will be carried out by questions concerning the arguments examinated in the course, while, to verify the cultivate skills and critical assessment, a text drafted by the student and agreed with the teacher will be examined and discussed in an oral examination. For students not attending, please refer to the program of the course and a written essay on a topic agreed with the teacher.
Other information
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