84993 - Philosophy and Phenomenology of Experience (1)

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student is able to identify some of the key moments of philosophical thought and to adopt a synoptic view of them. He is able to place the philosophers in their historical context and to understand their thinking in contemporary philosophical discourse. He knows the problematic nature of the concepts of meaning, reference and truth.

Course contents

 

Course title:

PHENOMENOLOGY, LOGIC AND ONTOLOGY IN LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN'S TRACTATUS LOGICO-PHILOSOPHICUS (1918/1921-1922)

The rise and development of Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus logico-philosophicus (1918 / 1921-1922) – the only book he ever published and one of the fundamental texts of contemporary philosophy – will be examined through a philosophical-cultural contextualization and the discussion of the most important passages. From Tractatus draws inspiration not only the currents of neo-positivism and analytical philosophy, but also the fundamental philosophical issues of contemporary thought, such as the relationship between reality, knowledge and language.

 

Distribution of topics in lectures:

of the 15 lectures available:
• 3 will be dedicated to a historical-philosophical introduction to the "first" Wittgenstein;
• 12 will be dedicated to the discussion and commentary of the text.

 

Start of lectures and place:

• The lectures will begin on Monday, September 15, 2025, in classroom C, via Zamboni 34, and every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 3 to 5 pm.

Readings/Bibliography

 

Obligatory readings for all students: 

• L. Wittgenstein, Tractatus logico-philosophicus e Quaderni 1914-1916, ed. it. by A.G. Conte, Einaudi, Torino, 1998 (or other editions), pp. 3-109 (Introduction by B. Russell + text of  Tractatus).
• Explanatory notes provided by the teacher (progressively available in the "teaching material").

 

Optional readings:

Recommended above all for non-attending students 

• L. Perissinotto, Introduzione a Wittgenstein, il Mulino, Bologna 2018.
• D. Marconi, Guida a Wittgenstein, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2002.
• L. Guidetti, G. Matteucci, Le grammatiche del pensiero, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2012, volume 3 B, Unità 9: Wittgenstein e l'analisi del linguaggio, pp. 616-663.
• A.G. Gargani, Introduzione a Wittgenstein, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 1988 (o edizioni successive).
• P. Frascolla, Il Tractatus logico-philosophicus di Wittgenstein. Un'introduzione alla lettura, Carocci, Roma 2006.
  

 

Note: this is just an indication. To pass the exam with maximum marks, obligatory readings are sufficient and, above all, the teaching material prepared by the teacher.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures; discussion on the main topics treated in the course. Reading and commentary of texts.

Assessment methods

 

Assessment methods

Oral test with verification of specific historical and philosophical knowledge and of the level of assimilation and processing critical-conceptual content (See "Evaluation board").

Exam sessions

During the 2025/2026 academic year, exam sessions are scheduled in the following months: November, December 2025; January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November, December 2026; January, February 2027.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders have the right to special adjustments according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adjustments. For more information, visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .It is recommended that students contact the University office in advance. Any proposed adjustments must be submitted at least 15 days in advance for the instructor’s approval, who will evaluate their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Assessment criteria and thresholds of evaluation:

30 cum laude: Excellent as to knowledge, terminology and critical expression.

30: Excellent, knowledge is complete, well articulated and correctly expressed, although with some slight faults.

27-29: Good, knowledge comprehensive and satisfactory, essentially correct expression .

24-26: Fairly good, knowledge present in significant points, but not complete and not always expressed with correctness.

21-23: Sufficient, knowledge is sometimes superficial, but the guiding general thread is included. Expression and articulation incomplete and often not appropriate

18-21:.Almost sufficient, but knowledge present only on the surface. The guiding principle is not included with continuity. The expression and articulation of the speech show important gaps.

<18: Not sufficient, knowledge absent or very incomplete, lack of guidance in discipline, expression seriously deficient. Exam failed.

 

 

 

Teaching tools

Overhead projector connected with PC

Links to further information

http://www.disciplinefilosofiche.it

Office hours

See the website of Luca Guidetti