Learning objectives
A sufficient acquaintance with the main topics of the philosophical debates in XVIth-XVIIIth centuries. Reading and learning ability, related mainly to philosophical texts; good acquaintance with philosophical terms and with different philosophical schools.
Contextual processing of assimilated notions: a) in coeval philosophical discussions; b) in other fields such as scientific, literary, artistic. Writing in clear and argued form of papers on philosophical texts and problems.
Gaining abilities in doing research through the acquaintance with the sources and the main bibliographical instruments. Reaching a good niveau of personal judgement.
Enhancing arguing ability to present and convey the philosophical topics.
Course unit content
From "liberum arbitrium" to "Wille zum leben": models and use of the will from Descartes to Schopenhauer.
Full programme
The topic of the freedom of the will from antiquity to XVIth century will be introduced in the first week. The modern discussion from Descartes to Kant will be dealt with in the first part of the course. The second part will be dedicated to I. Kant and A. Schopenhauer (see Testi di riferimento).
Bibliography
Bibliography:
first part:
-Antology of philosophical texts from Renaissancce to I. Kant to download from the site of the course
or:
-a Handbook on Modern Philosophy:
a) Storia della Filosofia diretta da M. Dal Pra, vol VII: La filosofia moderna dal Quattrocento al Seicento, Milano-Padova, Vallardi-Piccin Nuova Libraria 1999
b) P. Rossi-A. Viano, Storia della filosofia. 3. Dal Quattrocento al Seicento, Roma-Bari, Laterza 1995;
c) N. Abbagnano, Storia della filosofia, Torino Utet, or Milano TEA.
second part:
-I. Kant, Critica della ragion pratica, Libro II, trad. F. Capra, Roma Bari, Laterza 2003, (EL,94), pp.235-323.
-A. Schopenhauer, Metafisica dei costumi, Milano, SE 2008 (Testi e documenti), pp. 35-64.
Assessment methods and criteria
paper and oral examination
Other information
news and research material in the web site of the course
