27985 - Moral Philosophy (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have improved their ability to read texts and analyse issues of moral philosophy, with a special focus on historical reconstruction and critical interpretation, bibliographic recognition, written and oral language and exposition. By making constant reference to historiographic traditions, the course aims at stimulating and inspiring the first autonomous research hypotheses in students.

Course contents

Course title:  Sulla natura delle passioni. Morale e politica in Baruch Spinoza

It is a monographic course on Spinoza, with particular reference to the relationship between Spinoza’s ontology of potency and the role passions play in the establishment of political order.

Timetable: II semester; Via Zamboni 34: Tuesday (aula A), Thursday and Friday (aula C), 9-11.

Beginning of classes: early February (date to be defined).

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

I. Spinoza's works:

1. B. Spinoza, Etica (any edition).

2. B. Spinoza, Trattato teologico-politico (any edition).

3. B. Spinoza, Trattato politico (any edition).

 

II. Secondary literature:

4. R. Caporali, V. Morfino, S. Visentin (ed.), Spinoza: individuo e moltitudine, Cesena, Il Ponte Vecchio, 2007, pp. 13-46, 79-104, 203-213, 263-297, 373-389.

5.

Students may choose one of the following:

A. Negri, Spinoza, Roma, DeriveApprodi

E. Balibar, Spinoza. Il transindividuale, Milano, Ghibli.

L. Bove, La strategia del conatus. Affermazione e resistenza in Spinoza, Milano, Ghibli.

 

Attending students may ask for minor changes in the programme.

 

 

Teaching methods

Teaching will consist in the analysis of the sources and in the reconstruction of issues and theoretical problems. Students' participation is encouraged (teacher-led debates, short presentations, etc.).

Assessment methods

Final viva voce. Attending students can choose an alternative bibliography (optional; previous agreement with the teacher is required). In order to pass the exam, students are expected to show a good understanding of the required readings and an ability to critically discuss historical reconstructions, themes and comparisons between the authors, using critical bibliography as well. The ability to critically interpret the reference sources and to formulate research hypotheses is appreciated. Students are expected to bring with them the books they have used to prepare for the exam. 

Teaching tools

Required readings; photocopies, slides, didactic materials.

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Caporali