Learning objectives
The discipline of History of Ideas studies the philosophical and scientific thought and its connections in the historical, political and even artistic fields. Its research is mainly carried out by reading and analysing classic texts of Western thought. The aim is reaching a full understanding and evaluation of the texts, also referring on critical literature. In other words, History of Ideas is a philosophical subject on an interdisciplinary basis, and it allows to discover the connections between different fields. So it contributes to the achievement of independence of judgment and also provides the conceptual tools to consider and evaluate the complex contemporary issues. The aims of the course include a critical approach to philosophical concepts and to the texts, to be able to explain the content of them and discuss them, and ultimately to strengthen the ability to learn .
Prerequisites
None specific competence required. It is required some general knowledge of the major historical events and philosophical movements of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Course unit content
History of Ideas (M-Fil/06) 6 cfu.
The History of Ideas course will concern Freud's philosophical thought: from the idea of investigating in mind as progressive revelation of unconscious, to the foundation of psycho-analysis; from the study on "Civilization and Its Discontents" to the great "historical novel" on Moses and the origin of Monotheism. The course will be dedicated also to the problematic relationship between Freud and his disciples, especially Jung.
Bibliography
- S. Freud, Il disagio nella civiltà, Torino, Einaudi 2010.
- S. Freud, L'uomo Mosè e la religione monoteistica, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 2013 (pages to establish during the course).
- H.F. Ellenberger, La scoperta dell’inconscio. Storia della psichiatria dinamica, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 2003 (pp. 527-632).
- G. Scarpelli, Il dio solo. Alle origini del monoteismo, Roma, Storia e Letteratura 2003 (pp. 9-164).
- G. Scarpelli, Ingegno e congegno. Sentieri incrociati di filosofia e scienza, Roma, Storia e Letteratura 2011 (chapters 11, 14, 16).
More readings (one text chosen from the following):
- H.F. Ellenberger, I movimenti di liberazione mitica e altri saggi di storia della psichiatria, Napoli, Liguori 1986 (chapters I, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X).
- H.F. Ellenberger, Introduzione a Jung, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 2006.
- J. Hillman, Il sogno e il mondo infero, Milano, Adelphi 2010 (pp. 11-176).
- A. Ciocca, Storia della psicoanalisi, Bologna, il Mulino 2015 (200 pages of your choice).
- J. Gottschall, L'istinto di narrare. Come le storie ci hanno reso umani, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 2014.
Recommended readings:
- A. La Vergata e F. Trabattoni, Filosofia e Cultura, Scandicci, La Nuova Italia 2007, vol. 3b, Il Novecento, pp. 68-86.
- G. Ricci, Le città di Freud, Milano, Jaca Book 1995.
- M. Lavagetto, Freud, la letteratura e altro, Torino, Einaudi 2001.
- Y. Oudai Celso, Freud e la filosofia antica, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 2006.
- P. Janet, L'automatismo psicologico, Milano, Raffaello Cortina 2013.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons. Lecture and discussion of texts.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final verbal examination. It will be judged the level of learning, the ability to discuss the contents of the course and the critical analysis of the texts, and lexical competences.
Other information
Some more materials will be provided during the course, including the screening of a film.
