Learning objectives
I. Ability to use theoretical, methodological and content knowledge about
the historical-philosophical tradition in the area of contemporary
philosophy (Dublin Descriptors 1: knowledge and understanding); II.
ability to write papers that incorporate the acquired theoretical, historical and methodological knowledge (Dublin Descriptors 2: applying
knowledge and understanding); III. independent critical engagement with
conceptual material (Dublin Descriptors 3: making judgements); IV.
ability to position oneself in relevant debates/traditions (Dublin Descriptors 4: communication skills); V. Development of those learning skills that are necessary for students to continue further study with a high degree of autonomy (Dublin Descriptors 5: learning skills).
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisites required
Course unit content
The mind of others. Phenomenological perspectives on empathy
Full programme
The theme of empathy is from a few years to now at the forefront of philosophical debate especially following some important neuroscientific discoveries. In the first decades of the last century, the question of empathy had been addressed in a dense and articulated way in the German phenomenological tradition. The course aims to investigate the theme of our ability to grasp other people's emotions through the reading of prominent authors such as Max Scheler, Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger and Alfred Schütz. Among the objectives of the course is to highlight the topical aspects that can be traced within the phenomenological tradition mentioned.
Bibliography
- M. Scheler (1913/1923), Wesen und Formen der Sympathie, trad. it. a cura di L. Boella, Essenza e forme della simpatia, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2010 (limitatamente alle parti che saranno indicate a lezione)
- E. Husserl, Méditations cartésiennes (1931), trad. it., Meditazioni Cartesiane, Milano, Bompiani, 1960 o ed. successive (limitatamente alle parti che saranno indicate a lezione)
- M. Heidegger, Sein und Zeit (1927), trad. it. a cura di F. Volpi, Essere e Tempo, Milano, Longanesi, 2005 (limitatamente alle parti che saranno indicate a lezione)
- Alfred Schütz, Scheler’s Theory of Intersubjectivity and the General Thesis of Alter Ego, in «Philosophy and Phenomenological Research», 2, 1942, pp. 323-347, trad. it. La teoria dell’intersoggettività di Scheler e la tesi generale dell’alter ego, in A. Schütz., Max Scheler. Epistemologia, etica, intersoggettività, Brescia, Morcelliana, 2015, pp. 177-222
- S. Gallagher & D. Zahavi, La mente fenomenologica. Filosofia della mente e scienze cognitive, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2009, limitatamente alle pp. 259-298 («Come conosciamo gli altri»).
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons and seminars
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam.
Verification criteria and assessment thresholds:
– 30 cum laude: Excellent, excellent solidity of knowledge, excellent expressive properties, excellent understanding of the concepts
– 30: Very good. Complete and adequate knowledge, well-articulated and correctly expressed
– 27-29: Good, satisfactory knowledge, essentially correct expression.
– 24-26: Fairly good knowledge, but not complete and not always correct.
– 22-23: Generally sufficient knowledge but superficial. Expression is often not appropriate and confused.
– 18-21: Sufficient. The expression and articulation of the speech show important gaps.
– 18: insufficient knowledge or very incomplete, lack of guidance in discipline, expression seriously deficient. Exam failed.
