Learning objectives
Evolving an ability to analyze the presented texts and discuss them in the light of different interpretations.
Evolving the ability to produce a written text on some aspect of Wittgenstein's philosophy and to present it critically in a well-argued way.
Acquiring some degree of autonomy of judgment and a good level of clarity in communication.
Becoming able to integrate the lectures and the texts with a personal examination of the secondary literature on the relevant topics.
Course unit content
Conceptual Analysis and Aesthetics in the Philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Second part.
What was Wittgenstein saying when he claimed that a philosophical investigation resembles an aesthetical investigation? What picture of philosophical work he had in mind? And what image of aesthetics was he interested in? The course aims at answering these questions by reading selected excerpts of Wittgenstein’s writings, and by analyzing interpretations of the issue by contemporary philosophers. The course will present the students with reflections on philosophical notions of general interest, such as understanding, interpreting, seeing as, persuading.
Full programme
The exam comes in two parts: (a) a written paper on one of the topics that were presented in the lectures, (b) an oral examination including questions on the materials covered in the course as well as discussion of the written paper.
Final evaluation will reflect
- command of the course contents,
- ability to critically elaborate on them,
- expository and argumentative abilities.
Bibliography
Selected pages from:
- L. Wittgenstein, “Tractatus logico-philosophicus”, Einaudi, 1995.
- L. Wittgenstein, “Ricerche filosofiche”, Einaudi, 1995.
- L. Wittgenstein, “Lezioni e conversazioni sull'etica, l'estetica e la credenza religiosa”, Adelphi,1980.
- L. Wittgenstein, “Filosofia”, Donzelli, 1996.
- L. Wittgenstein, “Note sul “Ramo d’oro” di Frazer”, Adelphi.
- M.Andronico, “Giochi linguistici e forme di vita”, Capitolo VI in D.Marconi (a cura di), “Guida a Wittgenstein”, Laterza 2002.
- L.Perissinotto, “Esiste un modo di concepire la regola che non è un’interpretazione”, Capitolo V tratto da id., “Le vie dell’interpretazione nella filosofia contemporanea”, Laterza, 2002.
- P.D’Angelo, “Estetica”, in G.Cambiano, L. Fonnesu, M. Mori (a cura di ), “Storia della filosofia occidentale /Volume 7 –Problemi d’oggi”, Il Mulino, 2015.
- M.Andronico, “Estetica e sensibilità”, in M.De Carolis, A.Martone(a cura di), “Sensibilità e linguaggio. Un seminario su Wittgenstein”, Quodlibet, 2002.
- M.Andronico, “The Aesthetic Commitment of Philosophical Analysis”, in 33. Internationales Wittgenstein’s Symposium, Kirchberg am Wechsel, 2010.
- Caldarola,Quattrocchi,Tomasi (a cura di), “Wittgenstein, l'estetica e le arti”, Carocci 2013.
- G.Hagberg, Wittgenstein’s Aesthetics, 2007 (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/wittgenstein-aesthetic).
Teaching methods
The course will mostly consist of lectures. In addition, topics will be suggested for written papers and oral presentations, to be discussed in class.
