Learning objectives
By the end of the course the student:
1. will understand what is meant by personal identity within the history of modern and contemporary philosophy and what side themes are determining to define, in particular, its meaning; will also be able to understand how the gradual introduction and emphasis of the concept of alterity puts the Lockian paradigm into question, making interesting ethical implications emerge at the same time;
2. will know the philosophical lexicon. Particular attention – both from a theoretical and historical-philosophical point of view – will be reserved to the terms: internal perception, external perceptions, identity, alterity, empathy, sympathy; will also strengthen the skills to understand the development of the topic addressed in the course within the history of modern and contemporary philosophy;
3. will be able to take a position on the issues discussed during the course and to grasp analogues and differences between the theories of the authors addressed;
4. will develop the ability to argue in favor of the theses supported taking into account the historical-philosophical context. He/she will be able to independently read and understand the works of the authors discussed in class and to grasp the paradigm shift between empiricism and phenomenology in the way of understanding personal identity.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The goal of the course is to present and discuss the paradigm shift that has undergone the concept of personal identity within two significant moments of the history of modern and contemporary philosophy, namely the seven-century empiricism and the nineteenth century phenomenology, showing how we have moved from philosophical positions focused predominantly on the persistence in time of certain qualities that determine the individual essence, to emphasize the determining role played by alterity in order to define and construct personal identities. Specifically, through the reading and commentary of chosen passages taken from John Locke’s Essay concerning Human Understanding (1690), David Hume’s Treatise of Human Nature (1739-40), Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) and Max Scheler’s Essence and Forms of Sympathy (1913-1923) will be traced a path aimed at showing some of the most significant oscillations that the concept of personal identity has undergone in the history of modern and contemporary philosophy.
Full programme
Self and others: personal identity in the history of modern and contemporary philosophy
J. Locke, Saggio sull’intelletto umano, UTET, Torino 1961, pp. 387-409 (Libro II, capitolo XXVII: Dell’identità e della diversità).
D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, Bompiani, Milano 2001, pp. 503-527 (Libro I, Parte IV, Sezione VI: L’identità personale).
A. Smith, Teoria dei sentimenti morali, BUR, Milano 2018, pp. 81-138.
M. Scheler, Essenza e forme della simpatia, FrancoAngeli, Milano 2010, pp. 41-67 e 205-247.
Further suggested reading (not mandatory)
E. Lecaldano, Identità personale. Storia e critica di un’idea, Carocci, Roma 2021.
C. Giuntini, Presenti a se stessi. La centralità della coscienza in Locke, Le Lettere, Firenze 2015.
D. Sparti, Identità e coscienza, il Mulino, Bologna 2000.
S. Gallagher & D. Zahavi, La mente fenomenologica. Filosofia della mente e scienze cognitive, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2009, pp. 259-298 («Come conosciamo gli altri»).
F. Toccafondi, Max Scheler. L'ambiente, gli altri, i valori, Mimesis, Milano-Udine 2023.
Bibliography
J. Locke, Saggio sull’intelletto umano, UTET, Torino 1961, pp. 387-409 (Libro II, capitolo XXVII: Dell’identità e della diversità);
D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, Bompiani, Milano 2001, pp. 503-527 (Libro I, Parte IV, Sezione VI: L’identità personale);
A. Smith, Teoria dei sentimenti morali, BUR, Milano 2018, pp. 81-138.
M. Scheler, Essenza e forme della simpatia, FrancoAngeli, Milano 2010, pp. 41-67 e 205-247.
Teaching methods
Lectures. Reading, analysis and discussion of the authors' works, workshops, written training.
Assessment methods and criteria
Ongoing training and final examination. The oral examination is aimed to verify: I) command of the topics and of the texts presented in class; II) the ability to contextualize issues within the historical-philosophical reference-horizon
Other information
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