Learning objectives
Evolving an ability to analyze the presented texts and discuss them in the light of different interpretations.
Evolving the ability to produce a written text on some aspect of Wittgenstein's philosophy and to present it critically in a well-argued way.
Acquiring some degree of autonomy of judgment and a good level of clarity in communication.
Becoming able to integrate the lectures and the texts with a personal examination of the secondary literature on the relevant topics.
Course unit content
Philosophy and anthropology in Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy after the "Tractatus logico-philosophicus" can be characterized as having undergo an “anthropological turn” that addresses questions of meaning in a very wide perspective where the notions of language game and form of life become relevant. Yet the philosopher’s attitude toward anthropology is not unambiguous, particularly if we consider that to him philosophy is as an (a priori) activity that solves problems not by coming up with new discoveries, whereas anthropology keep to be seen as an empirical endeavour. The course will present the students both with the characteristic notions pertaining Wittgenstein’s later philosophy such as meaning as use, language game and forms of life, and with reflections on philosophical issues of general interest, such as the distinction between understanding and interpretation, or the debate on relativism and the pluralistic account of conceptual schemes.
Bibliography
- L. Wittgenstein, “Ricerche filosofiche”, Einaudi, Torino, 1995.
- L. Wittgenstein, “Filosofia”, Donzelli, 1996.
- L. Wittgenstein, “Note sul “Ramo d’oro” di Frazer”, Adelphi, Milano, 1975.
- Andronico M., “Giochi linguistici e forme di vita”, Capitolo VI in D.Marconi (a cura di), “Guida a Wittgenstein”, Laterza 2002.
- Andronico M., “Antropologia e metodo morfologico. Studio su Wittgenstein”, La Città del sole, Napoli 1998 (disponibile su Academia.edu).
- Bouveresse J., “Wittgenstein antropologo”, in Wittgenstein, “Note sul Ramo d’oro di Frazer”, Adelphi, Milano, 1975, pp. 57-90.
- Coliva A., “Wittgenstein su rito, filosofia, scienza e progresso. Quattro temi a partire dalle «Note sul Ramo d’oro di Frazer»”, in D.Generali (ed.), Le radici della razionalità critica: saperi, pratiche, teleologie. Saggi in onore di Fabio Minazzi, Mimesis, Udine, 2015, pp 86-105.
-Coliva A. e Palmira M., ”Relativismo e multiculturalismo”, in C.Baraldi (ed.), “Gli invisibili. La condizione degli immigrati nella società”, Bonanno, Roma, 2012, pp. 19-39.
- Perissinotto L., “Esiste un modo di concepire la regola che non è un’interpretazione”, Capitolo V in id., “Le vie dell’interpretazione nella filosofia contemporanea”, Laterza, Bari, 2002.
Teaching methods
The course will mostly consist of lectures. In addition, topics will be suggested for written papers and oral presentations, to be discussed in class.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam comes in two parts: (a) a written paper on one of the topics that were presented in the lectures, (b) an oral examination including questions on the materials covered in the course as well as discussion of the written paper.
Final evaluation will reflect
- command of the course contents,
- ability to critically elaborate on them,
- expository and argumentative abilities.
