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 of classic text of Western thought. The aim is reaching a full understating 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 judgement 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 nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Course unit content
The course will be devoted to the study of the Philosophy of Myth, according to the thought of Nietzsche, Frazer and Freud, and other scholars like Erwin Rohde, and the so-called Cambridge Ritualists and Eric Dodds and Károly Kerényi. They pointed out the original wild and irrational substrate in our civilization, and they contributed to understand conflictual contradictions of human species.
Full programme
In Greek “techne” signifies artistic creation, and manufacturing technique also. We will reflect on the myth of Prometheus and its philosophical implications.
Bibliography
Texts
- F. Nietzsche, La nascita della tragedia, Milano, Adelphi 2000 (§ ‘Tentativo di Autocritica’ and chapters. 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, and conclusion of chapters 24 and 25)
- J.G. Frazer, Il ramo d’oro, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 2012 (chapters 1, 2, 30, 32, 69)
- S. Freud, Totem e tabù, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 2011 (chapters IV, § 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- E. Rohde, Psyche, Bari, Laterza 2006 (pp. 11-37, 277-323, 355-378, 448-459, 464-471), or 1970 (pp. 1-37; 337-395, 435-467, 559-571, 578-587)
- G. Scarpelli, Il razionalista pagano. Frazer e la filosofia del mito, Milano, Meltemi 2018
- G. Scarpelli, Ingegno e congegno, Roma, Storia e Letteratura 2011 (chapters 3, 5).
- G. Scarpelli, La scimmia, l’uomo e il Superuomo. Nietzsche: evoluzioni e involuzioni, Milano, Mimesis 2008 (chapters 3, 4)
More readings (one text chosen from the following groups):
A group
- K. Kerényi, Religione antica (180 pagine a scelta), or Dioniso, Milano, Adelphi 2010 (180 pages at your choice)
- E. R. Dodds, I greci e l’irrazionale, Milano, BUR 2009 (chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)
- J. Burckhardt, Storia della civiltà greca. Vol. 1, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 2010 (100 pages at your choice)
- F. Nietzsche, Il servizio divino dei greci, Milano Adelphi 2016
B group
- T. Braccini e S. Romani, Una passeggiata nell’aldilà in compagnia degli antichi, Torino, Einaudi 2017 (pages 5-105, 148-180, 200-230, 251-297)
- R. Di Donato, Hierà. Prologeomena a uno studio storio antropologico della religion greca, Pisa, Pisa University Press 2013 (200 pages at your choice)
- G. Guidorizzi, La trama segreta del mondo. La magia nell’antichità, Bologna, Il Mulino 2015
- W. Burkert, La creazione del sacro. Orme biologiche nell’esperienza religiosa, Milano, Adelphi 2004 (150 pages at your choice)
Recommended readings (not required):
- A. La Vergata, F. Trabattoni, Filosofia, cultura e cittadinanza, Firenze, La Nuova Italia 2011 (the chapters on Nietzsche, Freud etc.)
- Apollodoro, Biblioteca, Milano, Adelphi, 2004 (pages 3-164)
- G. Cocchiara, Storia del folklore in Europa, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 2016 (pp. 397-414)
- G. Ugolini, Guida alla Nascita della Tragedia, Bari, Laterza 2007
- B.B. Powell, Omero, Bologna, Il Mulino 2006
- J.G. Frazer, Sulle tracce di Pausania, Milano, Adelphi 1994
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons. Lecture and discussion of texts. Furthermore it will be shown a film illustrating historical aspects of the course. Special emphasis will be given to in-class reading of, and commenting on, original texts, in order for students to familiarise with different kinds of philosophical language, style, and argument.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final oral 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. In other words, the examination will verify the critical ability to analyse philosophical ideas and their critical interpretations. Finally the student will also be expected to demonstrate that it has reached an adequate understanding of the texts and literary criticism, and a certain ability of judgment, in order to provide a satisfactory overview of their qualities as learning, communication and connection of the philosophical concepts, in a given historical, philosophical, political, or scientific context.
Other information
Students that can not follow the lessons must require to the professor the bibliography additions. More materials will eventually be provided during the course.
