Learning objectives
(a) Acquisition of basic knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the history of moral philosophy. (b) Acquisition of critical tools for the understanding and the analysis of philosophical texts in moral philosophy. (c) Acquisition of abilities to construct and communicate argumentative reasoning related to the moral philosophical concepts treated in the context of the course.
Prerequisites
Good knowledge of Enlightenment moral philosophy. In order to be prepared to the discussion during classes, the reading of a handbook on history of modern philosophy is recommended, and in particular chapter 1 of Luca Fonnesu, Storia dell’etica contemporanea. Da Kant alla filosofia analitica, Roma, Carocci 2006 (i.e. the chapter dedicated to Kant’s ethics).
Course unit content
The course will focus on Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Practical Reason.
Full programme
The course will focus on Kant’s second Critique. Particular topics include Kant’s reconciliation of freedom and determinism, the unity of theoretical and practical reason, and the motivational theory of human action.
Bibliography
Course text: I. Kant, Critica della ragion pratica. Transl. F. Capra (1909); rev. transl. by E. Garin (1971), new intr. by S. Landucci. Roma/Bari, Laterza 1997 (10. ed. 2019)
Further recommended readings:
L. W. Beck: A Commentary on Kant’s Critique of Practical Reason. Chicago, The University of Chicago Press 1960.
O. Höffe: Immanuel Kant: Kritik der praktischen Vernunft. Berlin, Akademie Verlag 2002 (2. ed.: 2011).
S. Landucci, La Critica della ragion pratica di Kant. Introduzione alla lettura. Roma, Carocci 1993 (new ed. 2011).
A. Reath – J. Timmermann (eds.): Kant’s Critique of Practical Reason: A Critical Guide. Cambridge/New York, Cambridge University Press 2010.
Teaching methods
Lectures and seminar-style discussions.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam.
Criteria of Evaluation.
Less than 18: Insufficient comprehension of the topics, insufficient expository clarity and insufficient competence in the use of the philosophical vocabulary.
Threshold for 18: sufficient comprehension of the topics, sufficient expository clarity and sufficient competence in the use of the philosophical vocabulary.
Threshold for 24: discrete comprehension of the topics, discrete expository clarity and discrete competence in the use of the philosophical vocabulary.
Threshold for 27: good comprehension of the topics, good expository clarity and good competence in the use of the philosophical vocabulary.
Threshold for 30: excellent comprehension of the topics, excellent expository clarity and excellent competence in the use of the philosophical vocabulary.
Threshold for 30 cum laude: as for 30, plus elements of originality (e.g. critical assessment of the course topics) and/or particularly in-depth analysis of the course topics.
Other information
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