00399 - Theoretical Philosophy

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will have gained access to some major themes and figures in the history of philosophy, and the discussion of some perspectives emerging from contemporary thought will enable you to relate with the "perennial" character of philosophical work.

Course contents

Course title: Explanation, Understanding and causality in the thought of Max Weber and Karl Jaspers.
The course will be divide into two parts.
First Part (6 CFU): the course will examine the relationship between explanation and understanding within the social-historical sciences, with particular regard to issues of  "verstehende" sociology developed by Max Weber.
Second Part (+6 CFU): the course will analyze the relationship between explanation and understanding in the context of the psychpathology of Karl Jaspers.

Readings/Bibliography

First Part:

1) M. Weber, Il metodo delle scienze storico-sociali, Einaudi, Torino, 2003;

2) M. Weber, La scienza come professione. La politica come professione, Einaudi, Torino, 2004 (or Mondadori, Milano, 2006).

Second Part::

1) K. Jaspers, Psicopatologia generale, Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore, Roma, 2000, 2013, pp. 1-167, 326-392, 795-872.

2) K. Jaspers, Scritti psicopatologici, Guida, Napoli, 2004.

The exam texts are the same also for not attending.

Teaching methods

Ex-cathedra lectures, textual commentary, discussions on specific issues, dialogical lectures.
The course is scheduled in the second semester, 3th and 4th period, and will take place in Aula I, via Zamboni 38, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9-11 am.

Assessment methods

You will take an oral examination aimed at assessing your knowledge of the relevant segment of the history of philosophy, the extent to which you have assimilated and critically elaborated the syllabus contents, as well as the methodological abilities you have acquired. You will have to comment on the texts presented during the course, and special attention will be devoted to assessing your ability to find your way through the primary and secondary literature to locate the information required to illustrate the various aspects of the discipline. Any further elaboration on the topics discussed in the course will count toward your final assessment.

Grade assessment criteria

Grade range below 18 – Fail. Poor knowledge of core material, a significant inability to engage with the discipline. Very poor presentation.

Grade range 18-21 – Pass. Limited and superficial knowledge of the subject, a significant inability to follow the thread of the discussion. Presentation with many inadequacies.

Grade range 21-23 – Adequate. The knowledge is superficial, but the thread of the discussion has been consistently grasped. Presentation with some inadequacies.

Grade range 24-26 – Acceptable. Elementary knowledge of the key principles and concepts. The presentation is occasionally weak.

Grade range 27-29 – Good. Comprehensive knowledge. Good presentation.

30 – Very Good. Detailed knowledge with hints of critical thinking. Very good presentation.

30 cum laude – Outstanding. Excellent knowledge and depth of understanding. Excellent presentation.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, Pc, Slides projector

Links to further information

http://www.disciplinefilosofiche.it

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Besoli