Learning objectives
- - -
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
This course concerns a fundamental problem in the philosophy of action, namely, the nature of rationality and, in particular, the claim that there are constitutive norms of rationality. The course focuses on the debate about the role of constitutive norms in the theory of practical reasoning and action theory, with particular attention to Kantian, Humean and Aristotelian Constructivism.
Full programme
CONSTITUTIVE NORMS
This course concerns a fundamental problem in the philosophy of action, namely, the nature of rationality and, in particular, the claim that there are constitutive norms of rationality. The course focuses on the debate about the role of constitutive norms in the theory of practical reasoning and action theory, with particular attention to Kantian, Humean and Aristotelian Constructivism.
TESTI DI RIFERIMENTO
1. Carla Bagnoli, “Il ruolo epistemico delle norme costitutive”, in Bagnoli
(a cura di), Che fare? Nuove prospettive filosofiche sull’azione, Carocci,
Roma, 2013, cap. 3.
2. Christine M. Korsgaard, The Constitution of Agency, Oxford University
Press, 2009 (“The Normativity of Instrumental Reason”, pp. 27-67,
“Acting for a Reason”, pp. 207-229.)
3. Sharon Street, (2012). Coming to terms with contingency: Humean constructivism about practical reason. In Jimmy Lenman & Yonatan Shemmer (eds.), Constructivism in Practical Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
4. Street, Sharon (2008). Constructivism about reasons. Oxford Studies in Metaethics 3:207-45
5. Carla Bagnoli ed., Constructivism in Ethics, Cambridge University Press 2013.
Letture introduttive per non frequentanti
o Bagnoli, Constructivism in Meta-ethics
o Christine M. Korsgaard, “Realismo e costruttivismo nel XX secolo”, in Carla Bagnoli (a cura di), Che fare? Nuove prospettive filosofiche sull’ azione, Carocci, Roma, 2013, cap. 1.
o “Construttivismo kantiano” in Oggettività in etica, G. Bongiovanni ed., Mondadori, Milano, 2007, 257-276
o “Constructivism in Meta-ethics”, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Edward N. Zalta ed. (2011): 1-51. Rev. 2017.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/constructivism-metaethics/
Bibliography
TESTI DI RIFERIMENTO
1. Carla Bagnoli, “Il ruolo epistemico delle norme costitutive”, in Bagnoli
(a cura di), Che fare? Nuove prospettive filosofiche sull’azione, Carocci,
Roma, 2013, cap. 3.
2. Christine M. Korsgaard, The Constitution of Agency, Oxford University
Press, 2009 (“The Normativity of Instrumental Reason”, pp. 27-67,
“Acting for a Reason”, pp. 207-229.)
3. Sharon Street, (2012). Coming to terms with contingency: Humean constructivism about practical reason. In Jimmy Lenman & Yonatan Shemmer (eds.), Constructivism in Practical Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
4. Street, Sharon (2008). Constructivism about reasons. Oxford Studies in Metaethics 3:207-45
5. Carla Bagnoli ed., Constructivism in Ethics, Cambridge University Press 2013.
Letture introduttive per non frequentanti
o Bagnoli, Constructivism in Meta-ethics
o Christine M. Korsgaard, “Realismo e costruttivismo nel XX secolo”, in Carla Bagnoli (a cura di), Che fare? Nuove prospettive filosofiche sull’ azione, Carocci, Roma, 2013, cap. 1.
o “Construttivismo kantiano” in Oggettività in etica, G. Bongiovanni ed., Mondadori, Milano, 2007, 257-276
o “Constructivism in Meta-ethics”, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Edward N. Zalta ed. (2011): 1-51. Rev. 2017.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/constructivism-metaethics/
Teaching methods
Lectures and Seminars.
Lectures offer a critical analysis of problems and philosophical texts.
Seminars are devoted to three kinds of activities:
a) class discussion of texts and arguments of the course
b) students’ presentations consisting in a critical account of a chapter in
bibliography
c) workshop in philosophical communication and writing
Assessment methods and criteria
Students with regular attendance:
• Final essay of 6000 words (bibliography excluded) in Italian or English),
on a topic chosen in consultation with the professor.
NB Outline of the paper must be in English.
• Oral examination on the main topics of the course and defense of the
final essay.
For students not attending classes:
• Oral examination on the full bibliography of the course.
• Final essay of 6000 words (bibliography excluded) in Italian or English),
on a topic assigned by the instructor.
International Students
International Students have the opportunity to be examined in English.
(All other requirements above apply).
Criteria of Evaluation
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 or new personal contribution to
them) and/or particularly in-depth analysis of the course topics.
Other information
Lectures are held in Modena, in streaming.
You are strongly advised to contact the teacher about attendance.
